Is texting creating 'dumb' kids?
BY HEATHER MIDDLETON
Text messaging has exploded over the past few years, particularly among teens who feel the need to keep in touch with their friends just about any time and from anywhere. Since it started creeping into the classroom, it has meant too much jargon and not enough substance.
Text messaging is shifting the way kids think, read and write, according to Jacquie Ream, a former teacher and author of the book K.I.S.S - Keep It Short and Simple. "We have a whole generation being raised without communication skills," says Ream. "While text messaging is iconic and has become a second language for many teens, it shouldn't replace reading and writing. There are no feelings or emotions being expressed, and no integration of thoughts in a text message."
So just how many teens stay connected using their thumbs to say L8R and LOL? According to a survey by Canada's Office of Consumer Affairs, nearly half (46 per cent) of Grade 11 students in Canada own a cell phone. Of those, 56 per cent had text messaging on their phone. A whopping 93 per cent of teens now use text messaging every day, and about three per cent send more than 40 messages a day, cites a recent survey by Mobile Youth.
But is too much time spent text messaging really to blame for our kids' inability to pen a good essay? "Text messaging is displacing the written word," insists Ream. "It is without spelling and punctuation, and there's no formality to it. Kids can't form a whole sentence; their thoughts are disjointed and they lack the critical thinking skills to be able to break down writing."
Ream says she wrote her latest book because she was leading workshops with students who don't know how to write an essay and are terrified when it comes to getting started. "They research the Internet for answers but can't interpret the information or process it into complete thoughts."
It's not just "teen texters" whose reading and writing skills are suffering. According to Ream, the problem begins in elementary school with kids as young as Grade 5 whose reading and writing skills are affected thanks in part to standardized testing.
While some school boards in the province have banned cell phone use in the classroom, many students still find a way to text each other during class time. Last year, the Durham District School Board (DDSB) implemented a directive prohibiting students from using cell phones, digital recording devices, MP3 players and PDAs such as a Blackberry, during class time. "Cell phones can be disruptive to the teaching and learning environment," says Andrea Pidwerbecki, communications manager at the DDSB, adding, "students are asked to turn their cell phones off during school hours and keep them in their backpacks or lockers."
But teachers can do more than just take cell phones out of the classroom to help improve students' writing skills. Ream suggests that teachers spend more time practicing three-paragraph essay writing and engaging students in open dialogue about their essays. She teaches the CCI (compare, contrast and interrelate) principle to her students and says it works well for essays, memos and book reports.
WHAT PARENTS CAN DO
"Read, read, read to your toddler and ask them questions about what they see on the pages," advises Ream. Educational programs such as Sesame Street are fine as long as parents take the time to ask their kids questions about what they're seeing and suggesting ways to relate it to something else, she adds.
Despite the fact that many parents and kids are time-crunched and are busy multitasking, Ream says that making time to talk to our kids is essential. "When you're driving in between sports, talk to your kids about what they're reading, read the same books they're reading, and ask whether they think the main character is a hero and why?"
Developing good critical thinking skills is about more than just learning in the classroom. It's about getting back to basics when it comes to developing good habits, explains Ream. "Parents need to make sure that their kids get plenty of sleep and eat foods that are high in protein before school to help promote better learning."
"If kids don't develop good reading and writing skills, we'll have a whole generation that just processes information without being able to interpret it," adds Ream. "Students faced with the decision-making process when they get out of school will feel lost and lack the skills they need for handling job interviews, and ultimately being successful in their careers."
To get a copy of Ream's book, visit www.amazon.ca.
10.06.08