NYT: New Life No Longer Means New Name

Great article for those studying immigration in the Times today:


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/26/nyregion/26names.html?_r=1&hp

I have known a few people in the last decade or so who have changed their names back to the original names given up by their families at Ellis Island.

Your Brain on Computers: Times Series and Interview with Author

On the road with some gadgets...minus iPhone, external drive, and iPod.

Over the last two years, both my previous and current school have flirted with idea of having an "Unplugged Day".  I believe the thought was that students and teachers could revert to the days of limited distraction for a day or two. The scientists in the first article would definitely agree!

I am interested in how we can combat over-stimulation in our students. In large part, the premise of this blog is to find connections between the traditional ways they access the curriculum while providing them with an embedded experiences of what is happening right now. So, for me, pulling the plug would be tough.

Below are three articles from the "Your Brain on Computers" series in the New York Times followed by today's interview the author of the articles, Matt Richtel, on NPR's "Fresh Air".

These could be great readings for in-service, teacher training courses, or to share with students.

To be honest, I can easily answer "yes" to every question in the "Warnings of Tech Overload" graphic in the second article listed below.  I know that I am addicted to my phone, to news streams, twitter feeds, pitch-by-pitch baseball scores, and the weather where everyone I know lives.  I am convinced it has effected my sleep and ability to be entertained. However, I do feel more informed and connected to what interests me.

All of the articles provide excellent insights into the world we, and of course, our students, live in. 

Share your thoughts in the comments!

Outdoors and Out of Reach, Studying the Brain

Attached to Technology and Paying a Price

A Side Effect of Digital Devices: Brain Fatigue

 

Fresh Air!

NYT: Best Summer Reading Book is Any Book!

Interesting article about the benefits to students of reading anything at all during the summer.  As we have all seen, those two months, if spent doing nothing academic, can be brutal on our students' development and preparedness to return to the classroom.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/02/summer-must-read-for-kids-any-book/?ref=education

Teaching "Lord of the Flies" with the Times

The eighth grade at my school teaches Lord of the Flies, I am sure some this will be useful for them. 

Hopefully, it will be useful for you too!

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/05/teaching-the-lord-of-the-flies-with-the-new-york-times/?scp=1&sq=lord%20of%20the%20flies&st=cse