Focusing on the matter at hand--in a classroom or in life, critics say--is what's most disconcerting about the next generation of students that's grown up on smartphones and tablets, where their attention has been routinely torn to the next interesting thing.
Psychologist Daniel Goleman, an author on such matters, points to a New Zealand study in the 1970s that focused on 8-year olds and their ability to focus--then checked in on them when they were 32-years old to see how they fared. The result? Kids who learned to focus as youngsters succeeded more in life as adults.
As Goleman said, "The more you can concentrate the better you’ll do on anything, because whatever talent you have, you can’t apply it if you are distracted."
The solution? Ban, limit, or minimize technological devices, reinforce focusing behavior patters with children, maybe give up. Experts don't know.
It's okay. You probably didn't even read to the end of this post. I accept that.
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