Computers allow us multi-tasking. This function is surely the arch-criminal of our attentional problems.
Chatting with friends on MSN messenger, listening my favorite mp3s on WMP, keeping updated with my friends at Facebook, checking emails at another tab… This is so typical, huh? While it is very convenient for us, it may affect our ability to focus and pay attention, especially the younger generation.
Occasionally, I would come across with articles which link digital media to ADHA (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). They tell me that environmental and social factors may contribute to, or exacerbate ADHD, in addition to genetics.
No matter how, in my point of view, when people get used to something, the something will become their habits or usual practices, so that they will do that very spontaneously. Just like when we’re accustomed to shifting our focus from one thing to another in no time on computers, we will behave the same when we leave for the real world.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Games
Video games are doing more harm than good, especially to younger people. Surely, the games themselves are harmless. Will the characters in the Sims burn your house? No. However, when video games and human beings link together, there is a chemical reaction.
Because video games are designed to be fun and engaging, our brains will therefore be completely vulnerable to them. We will be brainwashed or programmed unwittingly. Adults often have few ways to control themselves over video games, let alone children or students. They aren’t mentally mature and know little about the potential harm of the visual world.
Nevertheless, when getting addicted, students spend time on games rather than their study. It’ll greatly affect them. First is they have poor performances at school, second is they lose the chance of acquiring knowledge in the most suitable and important phase of their lives. No wonder people criticize the language level of today’s teenagers.
Yet, I’m not interested in if video games help users learn. From day one, I believe that learning requires effort, voluntary effort. I can give you an example.
When I was in junior high, I learnt to sing a song called “Do ri me” from the movie “The sound of music”.
Because video games are designed to be fun and engaging, our brains will therefore be completely vulnerable to them. We will be brainwashed or programmed unwittingly. Adults often have few ways to control themselves over video games, let alone children or students. They aren’t mentally mature and know little about the potential harm of the visual world.
Nevertheless, when getting addicted, students spend time on games rather than their study. It’ll greatly affect them. First is they have poor performances at school, second is they lose the chance of acquiring knowledge in the most suitable and important phase of their lives. No wonder people criticize the language level of today’s teenagers.
Yet, I’m not interested in if video games help users learn. From day one, I believe that learning requires effort, voluntary effort. I can give you an example.
When I was in junior high, I learnt to sing a song called “Do ri me” from the movie “The sound of music”.
Doe, a deer, a female deer.
Ray, a drop of golden sun.
Me, a name I call myself.
Far, a long, long way to run.
Sew, a needle pulling thread,
La, a note to follow sew,
Tea, a drink with jam and bread!
That will bring us back to do oh-oh-oh
Of course, I knew how to sing it. All I needed to do was memorizing the syllables of the lyrics with the sounds of the song. I didn’t need and bother to know what were “doe” or “ray”. That’s the learning thing. I mean, even if there’s a Chinese child playing a English game; he’ll never know the true meaning of certain words if he hasn’t once checked or asked for the answers.
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