After watching this video I immediately thought of all my struggling ADHD students who miraculously showed great focus every time they were using technology (sarcasm). I am sure it was that the lesson, or task was no longer boring and completely a world away from black and white text and 2 dimensional images of a book. They seek and respond to graphic images with dimension, and sound effects. Their world is technology.
It also reminded me of how many times I have heard teachers say that "Today's kids expect us to entertain them. They just don't have the attention span." I also thought of one of my dearest friend's son and his ADHD diagnosis and struggle through school. With each increasing grade level came an even more demanding teacher saying, "FOCUS!" His public education experiencing was negative to say the least. He recently completed 4 successful years with the U.S. Navy. I can't think of a more structured setting than the U.S. military. He not only completed it, he learned a lot and I'd bet he focused on his high risk, extremely important job. How was he so "unsuccessful" in school, yet successful in paying attention and learning in a different hands-on setting. I feel I need to add that he was given responsibility of a very important job on a submarine that was often in foreign waters. I wonder if his past teachers ever expected he would be given responsibility of such an important task.
We need to discuss and rethink this thing we call school. We should first begin with a deep conversation about the purpose it will serve in today's global technologically advanced society. Let's be brave enough to design and create from a fresh and current perspective.
Resources:
https://youtu.be/zDZFcDGpL4U
It also reminded me of how many times I have heard teachers say that "Today's kids expect us to entertain them. They just don't have the attention span." I also thought of one of my dearest friend's son and his ADHD diagnosis and struggle through school. With each increasing grade level came an even more demanding teacher saying, "FOCUS!" His public education experiencing was negative to say the least. He recently completed 4 successful years with the U.S. Navy. I can't think of a more structured setting than the U.S. military. He not only completed it, he learned a lot and I'd bet he focused on his high risk, extremely important job. How was he so "unsuccessful" in school, yet successful in paying attention and learning in a different hands-on setting. I feel I need to add that he was given responsibility of a very important job on a submarine that was often in foreign waters. I wonder if his past teachers ever expected he would be given responsibility of such an important task.
We need to discuss and rethink this thing we call school. We should first begin with a deep conversation about the purpose it will serve in today's global technologically advanced society. Let's be brave enough to design and create from a fresh and current perspective.
Resources:
https://youtu.be/zDZFcDGpL4U
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This is an interesting video about the change we need to make to the current system.