Kids today--even big kids like me--have access to some very cool gadgets.  Gadgets like the Internet, video games, computers, cell phones, CD players, and hi-def TVs. Very fun and with the potential to inform, stimulate, and educate. But how is all that technology affecting our kids' ability to learn?

Patricia Greenfield, UCLA distinguished professor of psychology and director of the Children's Digital Media Center in Los Angeles, analyzed more than 50 studies on learning technology and found trends that are both disturbing and heartening. 

Greenfield states that learners have changed as a result of their exposure to technology: there is a decline in critical thinking and analysis, and an increase in visual intelligence. "Studies show that reading develops imagination, induction, reflection and critical thinking, as well as vocabulary," said Greenfield. "Reading for pleasure is key to developing these skills." Yet reading for pleasure has declined among young people in recent decades.

The fact that visual intelligence has increased means students are better able to at least process information. However, visual media is generally real-time and gives little time for reflection, analysis, or imagination. Greenfield suggests that as students spend more time with visual media, evaluation methods that include forms of visual media will give us a better picture of what kids actually know. For example, I am actually seeing a much greater incidence of students creating PowerPoint presentations to demonstrate knowledge.

Regarding the balance of media used in the classroom and traditional techniques such as reading and classroom discussion, Greenfield says, "No one medium is good for everything. If we want to develop a variety of skills, we need a balanced media diet."

I love both reading and technology, and I believe that a blend of traditional print and new technology resources for learning--a best of both worlds, if you will--is the way forward. At Learning A-Z, I continue to push for providing solid print resources for teachers as well as the best in new technology. It is one of the reasons for putting all our leveled books, worksheets, quizzes, and graphic organizers into a projectable format for use with digital projectors and interactive whiteboards. It is why we continue to invest in websites like Raz-Kids, where students can have an interactive experience with our books.