This teacher-turned-cognitive scientist shared a disturbing reality that left the room stunned.
“Our kids are LESS cognitively capable than we were at their age.”
Every previous generation outperformed its parents since we began recording in the late 1800s.
So, what happened?
Screens.
Dr. Jared Horvath explained:
“Gen Z is the first generation in modern history to underperform us on basically every cognitive measure we have, from basic attention to memory, to literacy, to numeracy, to executive functioning, to EVEN GENERAL IQ, even though they go to more school than we did.”
“So why? … The answer appears to be the tools we are using within schools to drive that learning (screens).”
“If you look at the data, once countries adopt digital technology widely in schools, performance goes down significantly, to the point where kids who use computers about five hours per day in school for learning purposes will score over two-thirds of a standard deviation LESS than kids who rarely or never touch tech at school. And that’s across 80 countries.”
But screens aren’t just decimating learning and making new generations less intelligent than the ones before them.
They’re doing something far worse. And when you take a closer look, it isn’t pretty. 🧵
@joenutt_author@greg_ashman It makes me crazy to consultants that I know who have had zero outcomes. No data to show. Yet, they are positing themselves as experts by “borrowing” the work of others or backward designing books into presentations.
@TradamWest@MrZachG In my neck of the woods, admin arrange PD they never provide it. I am wondering where is it that it is common for admin to provide PD.
@MrZachG I JUST left a district and there is SO much that has to happen but may not because their hands are tied by the contract and principals are afraid of being grieved.
Expertise isn't about having more working memory, it's about needing less of it. Experts automate many components in long-term memory and can recognise meaningful patterns instantly, bypassing the need to process individual elements. ⬇️ 🧵
I keep trying to explain to people that dyslexia moms are the driving force behind the unprecedented wave of literacy legislation.
This is why. This will break a parent.
@Suchmo83 This! A child reading TOO fast, but accurately with a timer on gives an indication of what is in their VWF. They know the purpose of the read. The likelihood that they will slow down and reread when reading for a different purpose is favorable.
@HiltonHonors There was no clear description that this hotel series has NOTHING! No dresser, no closet, no in room coffee or glasses. It is beyond bare and false advertising. I believe I’ve prepaid but would like my money back. As a Hilton honors member. You DM me
@livingona1way@NateJoseph19 Do you say the same about science, math, and PE? Why would you say this about reading? Teaching reading takes expertise that some teachers don't even possess fully.
You are correct, a lack of reading does not cause dyslexia.