Have you ever considered the number of "new" technologies that have become obsolete during your lifetime.  Have you ever considered how much differently you might see the world if you had never come into contact with items like vinyl records of rotary phones.  Let me introduce you to a hypothetical 8th grade student and tell you a few things about the world as he or she might perceive it.  You might want to brace yourself for this:

• They were probably born sometime in 1993 and are about 14 years old.

• The First Gulf War happened before they were born as did the Cold War and as far as they know, there has always been a large US military presence in the Middle East.

• They have only known two US Presidents:  Clinton and Bush.

• There has always been an internet.

• There have always been CD's and DVD's

• Cassette tapes are just as obsolete as records and they probably have no idea what an 8 track tape is.

• Answering machines, cordless phones and cell phones have been around for as long as they can remember.

• Since they were 2 years old new cars have had airbags.

• The Cosby Show had its last season before they were born.

• TV's have always been in full color and they have always had remote controls.

• There have always been digital cameras.

• The first Nintendo Games Boys are older than they are.

• The first portable MP3 players came out before they were in school

• They were in kindergarten when Columbine happened.

• The original Star Wars movie was released 17 years BEFORE they were born.

• Stamps have never been cheaper than 32 cents.

• In their lifetime there was never a Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

• Most have never even seen a rotary dial phone.

Keep in mind that this is just a partial list.  Consider how differently these kids might perceive the world with all the new technologies they are experiencing.  Consider the effects of MP3 players, hybrid cars, cell phones, the internet.  Any one of these technologies can drastically change how you understand and view the world.  All music seems to be free online, new technology can solve any energy crisis, immediate communication is almost always available, and just about any question you can think up can be answered online.  This doesn't necessarily mean the physical or psychological needs of human development have changed.  But this might mean that educators are challenged like never before to make their curriculum relevant to their students.  Something to think about.

If you'd like to read more on this topic consider the following websites:

Beloit College releases an annual "Mindsets List" to help their faculty better understand incoming freshman.  Here is a link to their most recent lists:  http://www.beloit.edu/~pubaff/mindset/

The National Association for the Education of Young Children has an extensive online report concerning the effectiveness of technology in early childhood education:  http://www.naeyc.org/about/positions/PSTECH98.asp

Often times as adults we forget about the physical toll the use of technology takes on children.  This article from cnet.com looks at this issue in depth:  http://news.com.com/Is+tech+injuring+children/2009-1041_3-6073730.html

Here is a collection of 2001 statistics for computer technology use among minors from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration:  http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/dn/html/Chapter5.htm

PRACTICE ACTIVITY:  Check out one of the links above for more information about how technology is changing our kids.

TO KEEP ON LEARNING:  If you'd like to read more on this topic try searching the internet for:

Digital generation gap
Children and technology
Effects of technology on kids
Benefits of technology integration

Have a nice day!

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