On Can of Worms tonight – “Are Smartphones making us stupid?”
It seems to me they have the potential to do just that, but they also have quite the opposite possibility.
On my normal morning, I prepare to leave for work, grab my iPhone, plug it into my i30, and listen to lectures on Philosophy, Psychology, Anthropology, Religion, Sociology, Mathematics etc…. My smartphone is not making me stupid. It provides me with any number of learning experiences in the format it is best for me to receive it. When I am driving, it keeps my attention and enriches my knowledge. In fact it is such a good learning tool I am considering an iPad so I can work my way through some eBooks in bed.
When I am out and about, I see smart phones interfering with social interactions – people ignoring those with them to FB, SMS, listen to music or play games. Sometimes they look up some innate piece of information, but does it stick or will they just look for the same bit of information again next time they need it?
We have a world of information at our fingertips, but will this information become applied knowledge; wisdom, or is it fleeting data to be forgotten in a moment?
@FionaBurlison tweets “People were stupid long before smart phones came in to the picture!” @MadisonshaeB agrees “people don’t need smartphones to be stupid”
From the poll, it seems 55% of people think we are getting dumber. Unless parents and educators show the younger generations how new technologies can be used for personal growth, we will get dumber. Kids may be our future, but it’s up to us to ensure they know what to do when they get there…
Are your ICT’s making you smarter?
If not, how can you make it so they are and thereby set a good example for others?