http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/01/15/students-social-media-homework-distraction/1835461/
I agree with the statement that social media is distraction for students when completing school work. Phil Dunn from USA Today wrote a piece on students from Cherry Hill High school who agreed that social media is distracting them. One student commented that with her phone present during homework time, it takes her twice as long to finish her work. Others commented that similar experiences when they were completing their homework. But this article turned provided insight on how teachers can incorporate social media into their students' homework, which is coincidentally what we are learning in this class now (integration of technology).
Shawna Bu Shell, an educational technology teacher at Rowan University, commented how teachers need to overcome the social media language barrier that exists between teachers and students. Bu Shell said teachers should assign homework that requires students to use social media. This assignment will be interesting for the students and more than likely the students will complete it with more of an effort because it varies from traditional homework. The more interested students become with their school work, the better their grades, and the more likely they are to participate in future class assignments. This creates a positive relationship between the teacher and the student because students trust that their teacher is providing them with homework that is relatable to their personal lives. Making those personal connections from class assignments to the students' lives is very important for retention.
Bu Shell also brought up an important topic of including parents on the social media homework. Informing parents on the time necessary to complete some online assignments allows accountability to be taken for any distractions. Even though most of these students are seniors in high school parents should still be aware of their child's academic strengths and weaknesses. Inclusion also meant educating parents about different programs such as google voice, which is can be another means of communication between parents and educators. Even though social media can be a distraction for students it can equally be a tool for parents, teachers, and students.
My point of view did not differ too much from my peers’ point of view. In their discussion board posts, they commented on how addicting social media can be for them. I am not distracted by social media but I am attached to my e-mails and text messages/phone calls because that is my main source of communication for my child’s daycare provider and school. But when I am in class I am dedicated to the teacher and the content that is being discussed because I want to take away 100% of the content.
In the article by Lanier I like how he said to listen first and to record later. This method allows the listeners to recall their memory to decide which parts of the lecture were the most important. It also encourages us to not multitask because when someone is dividing their attention the multi-tasker is not retaining any information.