Cognitive Journal

Question #1. Why is online gaming so popular? Are there drawbacks to being engaged in these activities? Do you think they offer opportunities for learning or are they just passive pastimes?
Online gaming is so popular because people are less physically connected and more technologically connected than ever. Some students in my school, even as young as first graders, wear Apple Watches and FitBits. The second the dismissal bell rings and they’re outside, all the kids take out their phones. One of my third graders got an iPhone 11 for his ninth birthday. Students grades K-2 have their own iPads and 3-5th have their own Chromebooks. This readily available technology means the students do not have to physically be together to “hang out,” they can just talk through headphones while they digitally interact. Though their technological literacy skills are very high, these students are missing out on crucial social interactions. Sure, their hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills improve when faced with a fast moving online game or app, but does that matter if they are not interacting with the other person in a physical way. Eye contact is crucial.

Question #2. How do you manage your study schedule when faced with doubt about your capacity to engage, learn, and succeed?
I find my agenda to be my savior. I color coordinate my courses, work, personal life, and other activities. The visual aspect of a calendar and a weekly spread is very beneficial for me. If I feel overwhelmed, I can look at my calendar and see that maybe I have a day off from work the following week and that that is a good day to write my lesson plan. If I’m stressed about money I’ll look and see that I’m babysitting soon. On the weekends I use a daily tasks to do list, with sections for crucial tasks, other tasks, things to purchase, meals, etc. That helps me organize the massive amount of things I need to do each weekend into a clear paper. By doing this, the tasks that are jumbled in my mind become carefully arranged in a clear pattern which helps me better execute my work.

Questions #3. What do you do to help yourself remember new things? For example, do you create concept maps to link connected ideas? Share some of your ideas.
I write everything down. I have a notebook for each class, one for work, one for my internship, and an extra one for other notes that I can organize later. I also have a personal journal at home. By organizing my thoughts onto a piece of paper, in a book with other notes on that topic, I am better able to refer back to information. After each semester I file my notes, folders, lesson plans, books, etc into my filing system for future reference.