Over the past few
decades our society has dramatically changed; some may believe it is for the
better and others may disagree children are no longer the way they once were, children
now a days try and act as adults and older than their age. The video presentation and readings discussed
the different cultural change and generational values of our society. As a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at a private
school I believe I have seen all the different characteristics that the authors
have decried plus much more, children are now brought into a digital world and
it’s the parents responsibility to allow it and monitor it; I feel as if my
students who are 4 and 5 use a computer better than most adults I know.
Students enter my classroom bringing in I-Pads and I-Pods and are fully
familiar in how to operate these devices without any help, when presenting a
lesson my students always ask if we can do it on the computer they love the
technology aspect of teaching and always seem to be engaged more when using technology
to teach. As for myself I feel as if I am very dependent on the on the internet
as well, I live and dream Pinterest although Pinterest is not the only internet
usage I depend on; it has become really bad even if I know something I still
look it up, I know it’s not something I should be proud of but it is how I have
become over the past 3 or 4 years. The
Gen-Edge generation has been described to have less trust and less of an
opportunity, I do feel as if students are becoming even more less trusting with
their peers but feel as if they have more of an opportunity to build as an
individual. Students now a days are very
spoiled and pretty much have their parents wrapped around their fingers, I
remember when I was growing up if my teacher had to talk to my parents about my
behavior I got in trouble for it but, now a days when I talk to a parents about
a student’s behavior I am the first one the parents blame; so how is the child
going to build trust in other individuals if their parents are not
demonstrating trust, I have lots of students who answer back and never feel as
if they are wrong because there are no consequences when going home. Being a
younger teacher helps me connect and build trust with my students; when
students use certain slang or sing a certain song I am able to understand and
connect to them this makes the student feel comfortable and open up to me.
Although, I am able to multi-task pretty well it still does not compare to
the way the Gen-Edge population is able
to multi-task, students could be playing on their I-Pads, listening to music,
having a full conversation and will
still able to respond to you if you ask them a question. I believe it is
already bad enough the way our new generation of kids are being brought up into
this world I just honestly just hope it does not get any worse than it already
is, my biggest fear of having children is raising them into this kind of world.
Vanessa,
ReplyDeleteI know it is hard for teachers when parents won't help with the discipline. Your students may be able to multitask but I'm sure that you are teaching them something they need to know in your classroom. School classroom is different than being home in their bedroom where they can play music and other things. I'm also sure that you have students who would rather have it quite where they can concentrate on what you are trying to teach. When I grew up like you if my teacher called my parents-I was in trouble. Keep up the good work, and don't worry your children will be just fine because they have you.
Those are very kind words Sandra, thank you very much I truly appreciate that. That is very true what you have stated children being in a classroom and at home; they are much different at school and at home they are focusing on different things which allows them to multi task. Also, I do notice that many students prefer it to be quite rather then noisy, I tend to see many students plug their ears when it gets noisy.
DeleteI have one group of students that would prefer to have music playing throughout the entire class period. They say it helps them to concentrate better and keeps them focused. As someone who likes to learn in complete silence, it is hard for me to connect or relate to their learning norms.
DeleteI personally enjoy listening to music while I work. Sometimes, I need headphones to drown out the sound of my three kids and my husband. It is way too hard to focus when I can hear my son fuss (even when I know my husband is handling the situation). I often play music in my classroom but, I also allow students to use headphones in my classes.
DeleteI personally do not enjoy listening to music while I am learning or doing work it is a distraction for me. I use to play music to the students while they were doing their work but I left as if a lot of students do not enjoy it and were distracted by it. It also took me a little bit to try and figure out my students learning strategies and what they enjoy but I feel as if I have it pretty mastered now.
DeleteIf I need to concentrate, I listen to music, but only music without lyrics (classical, jazz, etc.)...not what I listen to when I'm driving or relaxing.
DeleteI can connect with every thing you mention about teaching the GenEdge population. Even though this generation is able to better multi task they seems to be more disrespectful. I don't know if its this digital age that contributes to this lack of respecting authority but I feel less parenting is occurring in homes and maybe too many students are being raised by technology rather than old fashion right and wrong parental guidance.
ReplyDeleteI do agree this generation seems much more disrespectful, I enjoyed seeing the old fashion view of parents. I feel as if students are very influenced by the digital world they are raised in which influences them to be the way they are.
DeleteI have been around a bit longer than maybe most of you and that is why parents are important to stand in the gap and help steer their children in the right direction. Sometimes it looks like parent want to let teachers do what they should be doing themselves.
DeleteAlmareka,
DeleteI too see a general decline in manners and appropriate behavior in schools. I feel a lot of it has to do with the way they are raised at home. Edutopia recently posted an article that behavior should be taught in schools just like core content. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/behavior-expectations-how-to-teach-them-aaron-hogan. Towards the end of the article is a student produced video to re-teach students appropriate behavior in the cafeteria.
Sandra- I agree with the point you made about parents want to let teachers to teach some of the things that were often taught at home in the past.
Rachel, thank you for that article I dedicate most of my teaching in the beginning of the year on behavior and really enforce it. I can see how it gets a bit out of hand in the cafeteria how we should always make sure we are reinforcing good behavior no matter what setting a student is in. It takes two to mold a child and it should not only be a teacher but also the support of a parent.
DeleteI agree with all of you. I believe some parents depend on teachers to raise their children. So many people seem to be determined to be their child's friend.
ReplyDeleteAs for students multitasking... Do you think our students are really that good at multitasking? Have any of you noticed an increase in ADD or ADHD students in your classes? I'm not saying that multitasking is impossible, I feel like that is all that I do. It just seems like kids have a harder time focusing and people are mislabeling it multitasking.
I do feel like I see a lot more students who are ADD or ADHD although I am know psych major so I'm not really sure if it's ADD or ADHD. I do feel like you are correct a lot of us could be mislabeling students in multi-tasking, it is very hard to focus and multitask.
DeleteI'm sure some of our students are capable of minor multitasking. I just feel like labels and lumping are just way to prevalent in education.
DeleteI must say that I have also noticed that parents seem to be holding teachers accountable for grades instead of their children. I have had the pleasure of being questioned by a parent over their child's conduct grade. The best part was that I had taught the same kid for 6 years and all of a sudden they wanted to know why I am unfairly grading their "angel." Unfortunately, I was the only teacher giving this kid the grade he earned. Everyone else was avoiding the conflict with his parents. I wish more people would wake up and deal with what is real instead of avoiding the truth.
A quick search for "multitasking myth" turns up plenty of research debunking the idea. Further, try this with a student when s/he says they're good at multitasking: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/creativity-without-borders/201405/the-myth-multitasking
DeleteThx to WEB 2.0 there are countless apps that can be used with a range of students from Preschool on up. Starfall is a tremendous website because it still focuses on phonics and teaching students how to properly announciate wos. I believe this is pertinent to the education of any student. There is also ABCya which also takes a look at phonics but branches out into mathematics as well.
ReplyDelete