PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY

[Clint Johns]

I just received this report from the California Department of Education about a survey of skill sets needed to be successful in the business world, from the perspective of students, parents, teachers, and Fortune 1000 executives. Some of the results are of no surprise, but there are several that are very eye-opening.

What do you think we need to do and to prepare for in order to have the competitive edge against other countries?

Take a look!

-Mr. Johns

ITA Staff

[Valery Lynn]

Hi ITA Staff!

 

I just attended a talk yesterday by a sociologist studying the effects of high multitasking on the brains of young people (ages 8-12). High multitaskers (those doing 4 or more things at once regularly - texting, tv, music with lyrics, gaming, facebooking, homework, etc) had lower scores in memory, ability to focus, creativity, AND were more likely to have low self-esteem, depression, and reduced ability to understand facial and body posture cues. Scary. He also consults for Bay Area firms that are concerned about their employees' abilities to focus and perform. Apparently attention-span of employees is a big problem these days. 

 

Solutions to the problems are currently: do only one thing for increments of at least 20 minutes, AND increased face-to-face interactions. Apparently face-to-face interactions have been shown to improve ADD and ADHD!

 

If we are going to compete with countries who have students with less access to such distractions - or are being educated in environments that are less distracting with more face-to-face - then I think creating opportunities for students to focus for 20 minutes at a time and have face-to-face interactions might give them an advantage. It's all about cognitive brain development. Too much multitasking is causing mushy brains.

 

This doesn't mean that electronic gadgetry is bad, only that doing multiple gadgetries at the same time is bad. BTW - reading was NOT associated with the bad stuff with kids, nor was music without lyrics. What WAS always associated with bad stuff with kids? Having a TV or computer in their rooms with no supervision. Boom.

 

I'll forward the papers when I get them. I think this study, along with the increased obesity stats that just came out this week are two areas I plan to address full force this fall. America - we've got to get lean and focused!

 

-Valery

---

From: ita_...@googlegroups.com [ita_...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Clint Johns [pirsq...@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 11:15 AM
Subject: PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY ECONOMY