Why Teachers Have Concerns about How Social Media Affects
Education for Teenagers
Virtual communication is not face to face communication …
stop
the illusion that it is!
How to teach, how to learn, in the process of how to be educated is the
foundation for developing our communication, personally and socially. We
exchange information by using a common system of symbols, signs and behavior.
It has always been about people talking to each other in real time relying on
personal rapport.
However, I believe that formal education suffers because online
communication is a new dimension within an alien territory with a definite lack of
interactive skills; relying more on reaction and less on intelligent debate.
When just texting or tweeting, the basic act of talking is
removed without seeing how words can directly
affect somebody … there is no need to read body language, facial
expressions or vocal inflections.
For example, as a cyberbully, if you can’t see the reaction of victims,
it's easier to be anonymous without any consequence for writing something online. Did you know that the majority of harassers are
friends or acquaintances? Only 23
percent of people report that a complete stranger has bullied them online.
Who wants to learn proper communication skills when 140
characters can take the place of a sentence? Or, better yet, who wants to learn
how to write a paragraph, a whole group of sentences to state a theme and
resolution? What matters most is measurement by data called LIKES, HATCH TAGS,
RETWEETS ... even ignorant ones.
Let me ask you ... have you read any teenager’s texts lately?
Do you think there is a problem if there is limited evidence of proper
spelling, syntax and grammar? Do you know that texting lingo has at least 1500
text messages and online chat abbreviations? Does it bother you that that
writing skills, whether formal or informal, may be in decline? Who knows the
proper format for letter writing? Even cursive writing is an anachronism now.
Does it bother you that learning itself may be in decline,
also? Learning is an activity or process of gaining knowledge or skill through
study, practice and experience. Learning helps to reorganize the structural
changes of the brain to better understand and contribute to our surrounding culture.
Then you can say, "I learned something new today."
In the classroom, to learn a unit of study on any topic, may
involve weeks of presentation, asking questions, analyzing facts, making decisions,
and evaluating from different points of view. It is not the same thing as using
the internet hoping to find a reliable
source for information. It is not checking out social media platforms for quick answers.
This is not teaching … this is not learning. This is not even
retaining information.
Real thinking is a mental process by which to form models of
the world and psychological associations.
It takes time for the brain’s neurology to form concepts, solve
problems, find reasons and make decisions. Cognitive frames are built by absorbing, processing and remembering, to be smarter and more
emotionally and environmentally composed.
As well, there may be other communication problems
that may affect education. Perhaps there is
a disconnect between parents, who may not be as adept on social media compared to teenagers who live in their own Selfie
domain. They may both lack an
understanding of potential overuse. Perhaps, students are allowed to use their
cellphones during classes which become a major distraction. Studies have shown that teens who frequently
check their profiles have lower grades and lower reading retention. Academic performance may be impacted by lack
of sleep, which parents may not know about.
Did you know that American teens send and receive text
messages 144 times a day?
As a retired teacher, I am always open to podcast interviews
to address the struggles and, regrets of teen girls on social media. This is
another excellent questions to discuss: What kind of concerns do teachers have about how
Social Media affects education for teenagers.
Check out blog for 10 more beginning questions to answer about teenage girls on social media and a way to build a better educated mindset .
Questions and comments are always welcome. What are your concerns? What are your successes with education on social media for teenagers?
Sincerely,
Annemarie
amarie10@gmail.com
833 471 4661 (leave message and the best time to connect.)
https://helpfulmindstreamforchanges.com
Excerpt: A frown crosses Grannie's face. "You know the
role of technology in society is very new. It's only a couple decades versus
centuries of human interaction. And you can read about how many people are
worried about addressing the problems as they get deeper and deeper.
Your dear Smart phone is just one player without any
instructions; you can cross any lines you want.
You can watch the internet unsupervised. Just think, you can take a
picture anytime, anywhere and post it wherever, whenever; regardless of an
invasion of privacy and self-rights. Don’t you agree?
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