Bauerlein, M (2008) Screen no match for the page
This a very interesting article recently published in The Australian newspaper that argues that the technological revolution associated with e-learning dumbs down the learning process of students. The author is a professor in liberal arts at Emory university and is writing from experience. The title of his current promoted book is The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and jeopardizes Our future: Or, Don’t Trust Anyone Under 30.
The author cites research showing that young users of computer scan the screen using an “F” pattern. The information learned is only transient and is broken up into chunks. No depth of learning occurs just a cut and paste of the data. If the topic to be learned does not fit with in this format the student will just disconnect.
My practicum recently was in the area of Computer Studies at a public secondary school. The sentiment of in-service teachers was generally in agreement with Bauelein. The arguments he present are diametrically opposed to the subject Digital Leaning Generation that I am currently studying at the UTS.
My personal view is that the Digital Generation are using the technology just as they see fit outside of an educational framework. As soon as you talk about the application of e-learning my 18 year old son and his friends looks at me a bit strangely. I’d say let them get on with it without interruption from the so called digital immigrants.
