In my line of work, which is elementary education, I have a first-hand look at the future of reading in our modern world. I must admit that it currently appears bleak and proves quite worrisome in many ways. I see fundamental reading skills critically suffer with each new generation of students. The problems I see are reparable, however. It's not too late for parents to step up to the plate and make simple changes that will greatly improve this potential crisis.
I feel that the problem stems directly from the increasing availability of technological advancements to our children. Due to the fact that they have basically grown up with computers, game systems, cell phones, and various electronic gadgets at their fingertips, children have in essence become lazy without even realizing it. It is innate for kids of the current generation to allow the cyber world to take over for them, to think for them, and to learn for them.
Another problem appears that technology is so much faster that our brains are constantly in a state of "overdrive." At our school the principal has made numerous requests that we frequently engage our students in puzzles and quiet games, which encourage them to concentrate on one fixed item for longer periods of time. This, she believes, will not only enhance their reading focus, but will improve their skills in mathematics as well.
Growing up in a large family with a shared love of books, we would read whenever boredom reared its ugly head. We read in the car, in the airport, and any other place where we were required to wait for extended periods of time. It seemed to be quite frequent in my particular case. Nonetheless, our reading skills were top-notch as a result. Today I see very little of this going on. Instead I see kids with I-Pods, cell phones, texting devices of all kinds, and laptops small enough to fit into my tiny change purse! These are the time-fillers of today...not books.
Although I personally embrace modern technology with excitement and vigor, I fear that our dependence on these advances will be detrimental to the reading, writing, and problem solving capabilities of future generations. It is already becoming quite evident and may only worsen if changes are not realized and initialized.
While it is unrealistic to expect that modern technology would ever take a backseat to the "old school" ways of learning, I would celebrate the observation of more parents taking charge of their children's educational future by exchanging the "gadgets" for a good old-fashioned book once in a while.
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4 comments:
As a mother I have to agree that reading is being over run by technology. I try to read to my son every night even if it is just a short book however, I see many other young parents that just send kids their kids to their room and pop in a movie before bed. I think that small things like this are really hindering our "future".
I think our society has come to a place where the more stimulating, the better, and I see this as a huge and growing problem. It was to my children's advantage growing up that I wouldn't waste the money on cable or satellite to get tons of tv channels, but who doesn't have those things today? Even toys for infants and toddlers are full of lights and sounds that come on automatically without even being touched to get and hold their attention. I think it will take a lot of effort on the part of parents and other caregivers of children to instill an appreciation for reading which, at least in the eyes of children, probably seems very dull compared to the other high-tech, high-stimulation options. I can see how this must add incredibly to the challenge faced by teachers as well.
Hi, again, Lisa. Thanks for posting about the problem with reading at the elementary level. I have a six-year-old daughter who is reading, and I want to keep it that way! My husband and I don't have cable, cell phones, video games, or Ipods simply because we don't want them (yet!). On the other hand, I feel kind of old-fashioned compared to my students, and I wonder whether I am not disadvantaging my daughter by not providing access to more technology. I suppose she'll get there some day with or without me. Nancy
I agree the future does look bleak and parents need to take a more active role in teaching our children. Children don't just learn for the seven hours they are at school, they constantly are learning and watching and pick up on so many things we as parents need to be proactive in their learning and it will better their future as well as America's and strengthen our relationships all at the same time!
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