"Engage me or Enrage me."

I read "Engage me or Enrage me." It is written by Marc Prensky. It talks about how many kids today have access to electronic entertainment through the use of cellphones, computer games, MP3 players etc. They find much entertainment outside of school through the use of electronics, but not in the classroom. Students today are a challenge to engage, because they want to be entertained. The overall message of the article could be summarized in that instead of letting electronics be an enemy which distracts children from learning, perhaps teachers should incorporate electronics into their lessons. I agree with incorporating electronics sometimes. I think once a week a virtual tour through some historical land or through outer space might be effective. Perhaps digital curriculum might be effective when used a few times a week. However, I believe that children need to also learn to pay attention without electronics being used in the classroom. As a Christian, I believe in exercising self-control and perhaps students can learn how to develop self-control by choosing to pay attention even when they do not feel like it. Otherwise these students are going to be disillusioned when they come into a work environment where they have to pay attention to not-so-entertaining speakers. With that said, if a teacher truly cares about student success, he or she will work hard to keep their attention. The teacher will vary the teaching methods to meet the needs of the students. Electronics will be used in some lessons, but not in every single lesson. Some might argue that students will not be able to adapt to non-electronic learning methods, because of Attention Deficit Disorder. However, not every student suffers with A.D.D. and the only way for some of the students to fight through A.D.D. will not be through constantly engaging with digital curriculum, but by learning to pay attention while reading a book or participating in a class discussion. Children must learn how to adapt to a variety of different lessons and teaching styles. Digital curriculum should be used, but the use of it should be limited. After all, it should not become a crutch for teachers or students.