K12HSN Calaxy

Technology on the Brain

Friday, December 12th, 2008

     Dr. Gary Small is the author of iBrain, a book about how technology use is fundamentally transforming our brains. In an earlier post, I wrote a post linking to a BBC article in which his work on changed brain patterns was explained. On Dr. Small's website, there is an embedded video clip of an interview he did with CBS, talking about how technology makes us smarter.

     Interestingly, there was a recent article in eSchool News that dealt with the negative impacts of technology use on the brain in regards to social skills, also citing Dr. Small. Once I put 2 and 2 together, I really wondered how the same psychiatrist could be cited in these two very different ways. From his website, I found an article on the CBS site called "Is Generation Y too Hooked on 'Tronics" that referenced his work, along with the work of several others. Maybe the CBS article led to the slant in the eSchool News article.

     To me, this was a fascinating comparison of "sound bites" of research. It makes me contemplate information literacy skills, and realize it goes far beyond just finding another source to verify. I wonder how many of the writers of the articles read his book, and whether the things they chose to focus on were out of context. I guess I'll just have to get the book and find out!