The Brain on Technology, Essay Example

Introduction

Because technology is all around us, teens and young people have become immersed in it. Consequently, educators and parents are well aware of the diminishing skills that young people possess. Many people feel that the use of technology is a great asset, while others contend that it only creates problems in the long run. Young people spend countless hours using social media and technology. As a result, they spend less time thinking and interacting with others. As a direct effect of this lack of interaction, many young people are unable to think critically and solve everyday problems that they might encounter. Colleges should require all students to take a class in critical thinking because young people have lost their personal identities, complete function of their brains, and never been exposed to traditional learning due to overuse of technology.

Lack of Identity

On social media sites, teens can create their own identities.  Many teens that might not fit into cliques or groups within their school settings may gravitate to social media sites. Essentially, the use of technology has created a barrier between real life and social media life. Consequently, many young people become addicted to social media sites because they feel the life they have created is better than the one they are living. Technology attracts young people for several reasons. First of all, most young people already have poor coping skills.  Being stressed is common for teens and young people, so they will turn to something that provides immediate comfort, or just causes them to forget about the problem. Use of social media gives young people a sense of power they do not have in the real world. Essentially, most young people do not really know who they are or what their values are. They just bounce from one new fad to the next using “followings” or “likes” as their guides.  A critical thinking class would give them the opportunity to explore themselves.

The Brain on Technology

We have become so dependent upon technology that our creativity and critical thinking skills are all but gone. Critical thinking is the ability to use logic and reason to make good decisions. Critical thinking helps us to maneuver through unfamiliar situations.  Being able to see situations from various perspectives is key. Rationality is a major part of critical thinking. I find myself Googling things before I even think about them. I become frustrated when I have to really think about something that is difficult.  So, I know that technology has affected the way my brain works. My attention span is very short as well. My parents constantly tell me that I have very little patience. Nevertheless, I never really noticed that because all of my friends are the same way. Because of technology, we rarely have to wait on anything. We have high-speed internet, fast food joints, and instant messaging.  I can’t even imagine writing a letter and waiting on a response. I become irritated when my friends take too long to respond to a text message. I understand that the brain is a muscle just like any other muscle of the body, and because I rarely use mine critically, it has lost some of its ability. I also believe that I have lost much of my ability to decipher information, but I am very good at gathering it. Once my teacher had given me an assignment and I just knew I had done a great job. I had found all the information she requested; however, part of the assignment was to explain how the information may affect the world in the years to come. I had completely neglected to answer that portion of the question.

Traditional Learning

To me, traditional learning is sitting is down to a computer. However, to the older generation, traditional learning involves critical thinking. So, is there any such thing as common knowledge anymore? I really don’t think so because any time someone is unsure of something they just Google it. No one really retains common knowledge anymore. Because of texting and emails, grammar rules and syntax are almost non-existent. Essentially, traditional learning requires person to person contact, which involves communication skills and interpersonal skills. These are skills that cannot be acquired in from of a computer. Being able to read body language and facial expressions are all a part of critical thinking. Sometimes my friends and I will text rather than talk to each other, even when we are in the same room. In the future, I believe I might have a problem with holding face to face conversations because messaging is just so much simpler. If I don’t want to respond or don’t know what to say, I can just not respond. In face to face conversations that would be very awkward. Most professions require communication skills and the ability to notice details. Although I am very aware of personal space, I do have friends that can’t read body language that is expressing you are too close to me.

Conclusion

Colleges should require critical thinking classes because many young people have very little access to using these skills due to social media and technology. Sure, technology is a great learning enhancement, but everyone should be able to think and adjust when technology is not readily available. Critical thinking classes would ensure that young people graduating from college also have common sense. Being in a class where everyone is working together and communicating is a great way to learn from others. Communicating gives the opportunity for others to hear the thinking patterns of classmates, while enhancing the way one may look at situations. Most importantly, these classes would be led by facilitators who can model critical thinking skills. In the long run, students will learn to use the abilities they have when necessary, and will become less dependent upon technology.