This book was eye opening to me. I like how Johnson compared agriculture and how it started out small and moved to mass production, and how the information/internet started in a similar way to mass production.
The fact that we as consumers spend upwards of 11 hours a day consuming information, was eye opening to me! I believe our learners consume more than that, with e-books, Google classroom, Blackboard, Netflix, social media, and FCPS's policy of one to one, it could easily be 14-15 hours a day. Today, over five Billion people have a cell phone, which holds more information in their hand than the first rocket in space! Technology is at the palm of our hands: we can text, call or FaceTime anyone, anytime, and anywhere.
My concern is, what is too much information? Today learners struggle with anxiety, depression, and lack of sleep. Can too much information be causing this? I'm a PHD, but not a Dr., but I think information 24/7/365 is hurting not only our learners, but I've seen the effect on adults as well.
So the question is: What can we do about it?
Sadly, I don't think there is anything we can do as long as we keep developing new technology for teachers, learners and the world to use. Just like eating, we need to consume in moderation...But I don't think we as consumers have the discipline to do that. That's why there's an obesity problem: Food & Information.
Indeed, consuming information in regulation is a big challenge. Even looking for a recipe online can be overwhelming sometimes. I think one of our roles as educators is making students learn how to self regulate. It is similar to how a health teacher teaches nutrition and exercise.
ReplyDeleteDiscipline in information consumption must be supported by taught skills. Humans do not innately possess discipline without knowing "why" they should be disciplined. I know that I should not consume too much processed sugar because I learned health skills at home and in school. "Consume deliberately. Take in information over affirmation"--is moderation possible through Johnson's recommended skills of data literacy, a sense of humor, and attention span training? It falls to the schools to teach data literacy and information use skills, if our future-ready students are going to mature into educated community participants.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is hard to limit your technology consumption when it seems there are always new apps and inventions to that can be incorporated into your daily schedule to make life "easier". Some examples would be ordering coffee, dating, directions, teaching, etc. Teaching moderation to our students is going to be extremely difficult considering they have been exposed to cell phones and completing assignments with technology since they began school. Do you try to limit the use of technology or incorporate more of it when teaching cosmetology?
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Great question: I try to teach them how to use it in the profession of Cosmetology. Social media is how they can get their work out in front of new guest, but it's important to teach the appropriate usage depending on our curriculum.
DeleteYou ask a great question: "What is too much information?" I think this will vary based on people. It's not as simple as digesting information, but what type of information, what age are they exposed to that information, etc. For example, I could research and read about online learning for a longer period of time than I do with politics. Researching would have a positive impact on me whereas I know for sure politics would give me anxiety. It's not just about the quality but the quantity, and how do we teach learners to differentiate and come into that understanding?
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