Chapter 4: The Chapter 4: The Net Generation Net Generation BrainBrain

Did you know?Did you know?

• Interactive technology can change the brain, Interactive technology can change the brain, in particular the way we perceive thingsin particular the way we perceive things

• The brain is most adaptable in the first 3 The brain is most adaptable in the first 3 years of life and during teenage and early years of life and during teenage and early adult yearsadult years

• By the time Net Gen kids reach their By the time Net Gen kids reach their twenties, they will have spent 20,000 hours twenties, they will have spent 20,000 hours on the Internet and over 10,000 hours on the Internet and over 10,000 hours playing video games of some kindplaying video games of some kind

Will this…Will this…

…help with this?…help with this?

What the Research What the Research ShowsShows

• Notice more in their field of visionNotice more in their field of vision

• Visual tracking is different than in older generationsVisual tracking is different than in older generations

• Their processing of visual information is fasterTheir processing of visual information is faster

• Have highly developed spatial skillsHave highly developed spatial skills

• Brains are flexible and adaptableBrains are flexible and adaptable

• Better hand-eye coordination/ quicker reaction timeBetter hand-eye coordination/ quicker reaction time

• Better at multi-tasking/switching from one task to Better at multi-tasking/switching from one task to anotheranother

What the Research What the Research Shows (cont.)Shows (cont.)

• Use more higher level thinking skills when Use more higher level thinking skills when researching online versus reading a bookresearching online versus reading a book

• Internet use fosters more creativity rather Internet use fosters more creativity rather than stifling itthan stifling it

• Use memory skills for different reasonsUse memory skills for different reasons

• Better able to problem solve and work Better able to problem solve and work collaborativelycollaboratively

Works Cited

AJ. S, . Laproscopy. 2008. Flickr. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/29405438@N03/2748459031/>.Dreilinger, Sean. Brothers playing video games together. 2008. Flickr. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/2187892869/>.JayceG, . How to Multitask- More Arms. 2008. Flickr. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayceg/2227241273/>.Palmerion, . DSC_3836 copy. 2008. Flickr. Web. 25 Apr. 2010. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/palmerion/2985028150/>.Tapscott, Don. Grown up Digital. New York: McGraw Hill, 2009. 98-119. Print.