Response to: The Web Shatters Focus, Rewires Brains by Nicholas Carr

Response to: The Web Shatters Focus, Rewires Brains
by Nicholas Carr

My personal experience causes me to agree with Carr. I have, and still do, experience the shattering of focus with the many distractions the online approach to learning offers. Although there are benefits (such as the convenience of having immediate links) it seems to me that the time required learning the same material with the same depth and focus in the old linear fashion is far less. I often have found myself running off on tangents while online. I wonder how many others, like I, have assumed that a document on the web with a variety of images and links makes it more interesting and effective for learning to the reader. Have we merely been sold on the product as being good for us just like the early soft drinks (e.g. Coke and Pepsi) were sold as health drinks? Maybe they really are just sweeter and fizzier than other drinks with very little health benefits. Maybe they even have some health risks. Whenever a study draws conclusions about the virtues of the internet and its benefits to individuals and society, I wonder who the sponsors are that funded the study.

So the question is raised, do the benefits of being connected and networked outweigh the costs of distractions to our learning? I believe this will depend on the various personalities involved. Although studies generally agree that multitasking is less effective for almost everyone than focused learning, it may be the case that the really good multitaskers are better off with the distractions because of the benefits their networks offer them. Horrible multitaskers like me should perhaps, proceed with caution. Or perhaps learning now merely requires a new and greater discipline of remaining focused despite the distractions. Or do those distractions (the many shallow stimuli and interruptions) erode our ability to remain focused? Are the incidents of ADD increasing due to the effects of increased stimuli at early ages (e.g. New Study Claims Addiction to the Internet Causes ADHD and Depression in Teens)?

Nevertheless, despite the distractions, I press on to embrace the technologies of today lest I be left behind in ignorance and isolation (the great technology angst). I have started new personal blogs and have even (say it isn’t so!) returned to Twitter to see what I’ve missed lately. There were (ok I’ll admit it) some very interesting links offered which I was glad I looked up. One in particular (a video based on a Daniel Pink lecture related to Motivation)I found very interesting. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/22om79m . While you’re at it, check this out (very important for educators to read) "Hey Teachers, This is How I Learn" http://ht.ly/1T2Zr . So, do you feel a little distracted yet?

Did I mention that I get distracted and end up on tangents easily?

Although my cynicism is probably showing through a little, I am truly convinced that the time-consuming nature of online, distracted learning does have its benefits and I am being more deliberate about following and contributing in various blogs. Hopefully some of these will develop into more meaningful and insightful discussions. I’ll let you know later whether it was worth it or not.