Half-In Half-Out Mentality Of Modern Students

The average adult spends over 20 hours on the internet in a given week. Technology has rapidly evolved in the past twenty years, but do we actually know the effect it is having on us? As it pertains to students in the classroom, it can be an absolute blessing, or it can turn into a curse. In Mark Edmunson’s article titled “Dwelling in Possibilities,” Edmunson, a professor at the University of Virginia, sums up this paradox up after an encounter with a college student. Edmunson states how he observes college students dwelling in possibilities and believes that technology is one of the main reasons students are not living in the ‘now.’ Edmunson concluded that students are not at their happiest when deals are closed, dates are set, and plans are guaranteed; he noted they felt their happiest when they kept their options open, dwelling in numerous possibilities at once, without any closure.

Technology today can be a huge benefit for numerous reasons, but it could become more of a detriment to students in regard to multitasking and students not truly knowing themselves. When used correctly, technology should be used as a learning tool to add to the success of students. Surely, anything taken to the extreme can be bad for anyone. Technology has rapidly evolved in the past 20 years, so we do not know the full effect that it may be having on our students. 20 years ago if a student had a paper due, they would go to the library, pull out an encyclopedia, cross reference books that could be useful, photocopy all these resources (or handwrite the information from the resources), read them, and comb through them to construct their paper.

Today, the student can pull out their laptop, pull up numerous resources at once, and have endless research possibilities. Or if the student is on the go, they can pull out their smart phone and look up information and study on the go. When used properly, technology can empower the student, to make them feel they are in an active role in their education. Due to the access to countless resources, students can tackle more complex projects in a relative amount of time. Also, communication between teachers and students is more readily available, in turn, facilitating a quicker turn around for questions that students may have. As I am typing this, I become aware that I am researching online, I have my music playing on my phone, I have football playing on the television, and I am periodically checking my phone if I get a “ding.” I am in five places at once. Edmunson hit the nail on the head with this article, stating that college students are never fully committed to any task at hand due to technology. Students can be doing English homework, still be in “seven” different places at once, yet nowhere in particular. This speaks to the fact that students can multitask, and do a bunch of different tasks, yet not do any with one hundred percent focus. Because of this half-in, half-out mentality, the output of the work the students are producing is not at the level it could be. Attention spans are lowered, people are more easily distracted, people are becoming addicted to technology, and unable to interacted socially.

Technology actually changes the way our brains work. Saga Briggs, a teacher and journalist, wrote an article titled ‘6 Ways Digitial Media Impact the Brain,’ in it she talked about how technology is actually changing the way our brain works. Briggs specifically listed that technology directly affects an individual’s attention span, memory, thoughts, lack of empathy, lack of meta=awareness, and attitude. The purpose of a college education is for students to know who they truly are, and technology is hindering that. Today, students are obsessed with living, and living fully, which feeds the obsession of overstimulation that technology brings them. Everything is readily accessible, but these days, is our knowledge purely synthetic knowledge?

Edmunson got it right when he eluded to the fact that students are living in the ‘fast lane’ and whimsical about life, but there is a proper balance of having a zest for life, and slowing it down to be mindful of the present moment. Today, students are bombarded with immense amounts of social media, on many different platforms. This overload of information has students comparing themselves outwards, instead of looking inward. Clarissa Silva, who is a behavioral scientist, wrote an article called ‘Social Media’s Impact on Self Esteem’ and stated that “Social media can be linked to higher levels of depression, narcissism and decreased social skills.” Suicide rate in teenagers has gone up over the years. “The suicide rate for white children and teens between 10 and 17 was up 70% between 2006 and 2016, the latest data analysis available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”.

Technology is not the sole culprit to this increase in depression and suicide, but it could be a contributing factor. Slowing things down in the classroom, however, can teach students the importance of living more deliberately. If we do not stop and remember that life is precious and that we must remain present and truly know ourselves, we are doomed. If we are aware of the negative impact technology may have on us when used in excess, we can be cognitive of that when we are using it to expand our knowledge as students. So, turn those phones on airplane mode, turn off the televisions, grab a book, get tapped into who you are, and communicate with your fellow students and teachers!