The Millenials: Good or Bad?

After watching the video of the "debate" as to whether the new generation is smart or dumb, I find myself leaning more towards Neil Howe and his stand of this generation being the next great generation. When I initially began to watch the debate, I thought Bauerlein may have some really good points as to how the media and technology has been hindering students throughout their schooling, but because his focus was only on intellectual habits and their decline, I did not feel he had a strong argument. Bauerlein focused mainly on how intellectual skills, specifically reading, have declined vastly in spite of the great advantages and opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills in schooling. Although he makes a good point that this is happening because the digital age has kids self-absorbed in their social networking, he fails to mention how many social medias are being used in the classroom in order to engage students and complete assignments. Many classes now use facebook as a discussion board site and blogs are being used to share opinions in classes as well as for teachers to communicate with parents and students outside of the classroom. I can see how students do become self-absorbed with social media but a majority of students do know how to limit themselves and get their work completed before indulging in the luxuries of tweeting or posting a new status. 

I thought Howe's argument was very well structured and focused on more than one area of a child's life and how technology has shown positive benefits for students. He brought up excellent points specifically in behavior and discussing how students have seen decreases in violence and drugs and increases in civic responsibilities as well as the closing value gap with parents. I also liked how he took the four common myths about technology and kids and completely busted them. He made great points to the fact that although students are not leisurely reading as much it is because they have to read for school and as many students know, that takes away any time for reading outside of the classroom, as well as how video games are being used to train people in the military. Overall, I thought Howe's powerpoint presentation and display of statistics blew Bauerlein out of the water and was a fair representation of how our generation is the next generation and will be able to reap the benefits from technology as well as help to enhance different jobs and areas of life where technology can be used positively.