Rewiring Young Brains

Comments

wow.

Its odd that people like Scott Talbott and Maggie Jackson, who have written about this subject aren't mentioned here. Maggie Jackson's book "Distracted" deals with the effect technology has had on attention and its negative consequences. Scott Talbott wrote "The Future Does Not Compute" and "Devices of the Soul" which deal with the detrimental effects of computers in that they are eroding our ability for deep understanding. I would like to see interviews with them on here to counter balance what is basically a one sided look at technology. He also counters the premise that computers are a panacea for teaching and learning.

Every parent and teacher should be reminded of this pruning process. This clip reminds me of the important role we play in monitoring and intervening in our children's lives to ensure they are maximizing brain development. It is too easy to say that this is the way of the future, especially when so many experts say "we still don't know" the long term effects on our society.

wow. the internet is addicting just like watching TV or exercising. thats the biggest concern on the internet and cyberbullies and cyberstalkers and cyberharassers. Cyberbullying is Minor to Minor only. cyberstalking or cyber harassing is adult to adult. Bullying can happen to adults too in the workplace or at a park ect but when cyberbullying is done through the internet its minor to minor.

The brain is crucial to understand, but there are still many people that know so little. Learning about the brain needs to be a priority for parents, teachers and anyone that works with youth.

...and alongside pruning you also have the growth of new connections and the strengthening of new ones. This is what having experiences and learning does to your brain.
"Lost forever"? Yeah, like I want all the synapses in my head firing off like a baby's when I see something, rather than just the ones that are meaningful to that something.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synaptic_pruning