On TV.com: Which Shows Are About to Get the AXE?
BNET Business Network:
BNET
TechRepublic
ZDNet
TalkBack 1 of 2:
Next »
I am not convinced ...
I was one of those kids who, as an only child, had no siblings distracting me while I studied but I did study with the TV, radio, or other source of distraction (such as my parents) blaring in the background. When I attempted to study in silence, I did worse, not better.

By the time I got to college, I could study in a noisy dorm or fraternity much more effectively than I could in a quiet library. While students around me failed out of college, thanks in part to their new found freedom and independence, I made only average grades but, unlike many of my peers, I graduated on time.

In graduate school, I did considerably better -- studying in similar 'distracting' environments -- always with TV or music in the background.

I didn't end up as a captain of industry but I am a successful IT professional with 26+ years with the same employer in Education IT. I win my share of trivia games (thanks in large part to watching years of Jeopardy on TV) and most of my family and friends are amazed by my level of knowledge in a wide variety of subjects.

Today, my seven-year-old, growing up in a similarly 'distracted' environment is at the head of his class as well.

In the end, I am not sure that anyone can reliably conclude that 'digital distractions' are any more or less disruptive than the 'analog distractions' with which learners of all ages have had to deal since the human race first became aware.
Posted by: mwagner@...   Posted on: 07/27/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
Reply to Story Reply to Message

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

I am not convinced ...  mwagner@... | 07/27/06
Well...  zkiwi | 07/27/06

What do you think?

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

Premier Vendor Content Whitepapers, webcasts & resources from our Power Center Sponsors