Impacts on Judgment and Reasoning
Reasoning and judgment complements one another and is critical to the success of our students as future leaders. However, because reasoning is a function of common sense and good judgment is based on sound information, I am concerned as to how technology has hindered our youth with social media and video games. Much of their information is derived from Social Media, Wikipedia, and other open sources that are not vetted for truthfulness or accuracy.
And, notwithstanding the aforementioned issue, the realistic nature of video games has eliminated the need for children and young people to use their imagination and creative ability. Today’s video games leaves nothing to the imagination, taking playing “Army†or “Cops and Robbers†to a whole new level. Unfortunately, some of these games, such as “Grand Theft Autoâ€, clouds the judgment and reasoning capability of our youth.
Reasoning is a part of using a common sense approach to thinking about and solving a problem. Reasoning helps individuals see the different options, segments and outcomes of critical thinking and problem solving.
DeAndre,
Thank you for these comments about reasoning. You have given me hope because it seems that reasoning is slipping away from many of my students as a result of the things you have listed. Thinking is hard work and they don't want to do much of it. They would rather just do a quick search and call it good. We need to get them to slow down, reflect on what they are seeing and then come up with proposed solutions to the problem. If we can do this we are helping them to have much success in their careers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The issue currently is that the students are not taking responsibility of their education as in this day & age it is a slow process. They need to learn the basic content first before they have the ability to start the critical thinking process
Khawar,
Right you are and this is something that I deal with all of the time. Students need to see that their future is at stake and this is why they need to take ownership of their education and their career development.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Reasoning is an important skill I feel most students use on a regular basis, but not to its full potential. I agree, games have clouded their judgement, but they rather use reasoning to not do something as opposed to doing it. We should approach reasoning as a means to excel in what we must do and emphasize why it is important as opposed to immediately reasoning why not to do something; although it may have its place.
Wook,
Like your phrase "use reasoning as a means to excel in what we do". This is what reflective thinking and problem solving is about. The ability to reason is what grows careers. These are the people that employers are looking for. This is a message our students need to receive loud and clear during their education journey.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
