People and especially the children are learning differently today than
a generation ago.
I submit that:
1. At one time we learned through memorization. The math tables are
an example. Attention spans were relatively long.
2. Then with the writings on stone through the prime of the books we
learned through reading and listening. Attention span decreased
somewhat to accomodate ready.
3. As TV became popular, we began learn through visuals. Attention
span decreased to accomodate this learning style.
4. With the cyber age we learn through visuals with sound. Attention
span is changing to accomodate cyber learning.
You can also look at the changes in music. Relative to the thirties,
the music today consists of short burst of words with a lot sounds.
Many people now learn in short burst with lots of sounds.
If you check the stats, you probably will find that less books are sold
today than there were 10 years ago, 20 years ago. Publishers continue
making the profits through increased prices and reduced operating costs.
If you check the stats, you probably will find more CDs with visuals
and interactives are sold today than 5 years ago. These CDs have
replaced books.
If you check the stats, you probably will find computers are in about
80 - 90% of the homes and in 99% of the schools.
Have you ever thought that maybe the children are just as smart as
ever, that maybe we use the wrong instrument to measure smartness or we
are measuring the wrong thing?
-- Butch Whisnant carold.whisnant@astd.noli.com