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Something to think about. ;)
Richard's $.02 :munchin
What Facebook Users Share: Lower Grades
Anita Hamilton, Time, 14 Apr 2009
Forget the widely unloved redesign. Facebook has committed a greater offense. According to a new study by doctoral candidate Aryn Karpinski of Ohio State University and her co-author Adam Duberstein of Ohio Dominican University, college students who use the 200 million–member social network have significantly lower grade-point averages (GPAs) than those who do not.
The study, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the American Education Research Association on April 16, surveyed 219 undergraduate and graduate students and found that GPAs of Facebook users typically ranged a full grade point lower than those of nonusers — 3.0 to 3.5 for users versus 3.5 to 4.0 for their non-networking peers. It also found that 79% of Facebook members did not believe there was any link between their GPA and their networking habits.
Karpinski says she isn't surprised by her findings but clarifies that the study does not suggest that Facebook directly causes lower grades, merely that there's some relationship between the two factors. "Maybe [Facebook users] are just prone to distraction. Maybe they are just procrastinators," Karpinski told TIME.com in a phone interview on Monday, April 13.
(cont'd) http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1891111,00.html
They just do not listen.. We have been telling them do not use it and now see what happens. It sucks the life and brain cells out of your head.
Pick up the phone and call some one. You will get more accomplished and waste less time.
NoRoadtrippin
04-15-2009, 09:32
Respectfully, I disagree.
Sure, it is understandable that time spent on the internet in general has the potential to lower a GPA in as much as it is not time spent reading a text book or working on a paper. However, a survey of a whopping 219 undergraduates is in no way indicative of the effect a website such as Facebook or MySpace has on the educative experience. People said the same thing about TVs, and you probably have one (or many) in your house. And people will say the same thing about whatever is next, but it won't necessarily be true.
The article goes on to state that the people more likely to have a profile on Facebook are also involved in other extracurricular activities. I'd be willing to risk that playing a sport, enrolling in ROTC, joining a fraternal organization or even volunteering on regular basis also have the potential (some more than others) to distract from core classes and therefore lower grades.
I will not argue that the internet is responsible for hours of my days in college spent procrastinating and reading irrelevant pages. Even now, I should be typing something for work instead of perusing PS.com, but here I am. I would hardly blame PS for ruining my GPA or keeping me from getting paid though.
And Facebook is immensely more efficient than "picking up the phone." The phone does not support inviting and tracking people I have invited to an event. It does not support tracking the brothers I graduated with as we each serve in different capacities and in different locales around the world. It does not update itself when people move to a new location. Facebook can be a distraction, and that can be a negative However, it allows me to keep in touch with friends that are often now hours away from me. I can maintain an interest in a friend's life from high school that I have great memories with, but that I might not now be close enough to call on a regular basis. I can track the "Causes" pages of everything ranging from the Wounded Warrior Project to the YoungLife camp I worked at a couple summers ago. And I can promote these organizations and why I feel they are important just by having them featured on my profile. I can meet people at professional conferences and add them as friends allowing me a way to track new job opportunities or ways to give back to my field.
The list goes on and on. Facebook has its pros and cons, but don't knock it just because it is new and has the potential to alter how we do things to some extent.
I will also disclaim all of this in part by saying, I agree the world is running the risk of moving too quickly away from actual human interaction, but that does not mean sites like Facebook don't have excellent positive aspects they can bring to our lives.
:munchin
Richard....
I saw that article yesterday and thought about how much time those people must spend online..thus disregarding their studies and homework. I was wondering if you were going to post it. Glad you did...hopefully, some parents will start to pay attention to what their kids are doing.
I can recall when my niece was in high school and she would be doing research online and doing homework on the computer. Meanwhile, in the background, she would have her "messenger services" open and carrying on conversations. Distracting isn't it? She didn't see anything wrong with it and didn't see it as a distraction nor would she admit that her work was suffering.
SF BHT...
Make a phone call! OMG, I say that all time. Don't email me, stop texting me and stop trying to guilt me into joining Facebook or twitter!!! People have stopped communicating on a personal level with these technological advances. Even computer speak (the LOL, TTYL, C U soon, etc) has creeped into our everyday communications.
Firebeef
04-15-2009, 10:41
All I can say is: The only consistent way to stay in touch with my son deployed to Iraq has been Facebook. "Write a letter" I should tell him, you say?!?!?
:rolleyes:
he's 23 years old, and try as we have, ink and pen are sentimental relics of times long gone for that generation.
If that makes me a slacker, I'm in.
I think the gist is that - like most anything - (1) focusing too much on something like this to the exclusion of other things can be detrimental and (2) another effin' addiction to keep the analysts and angst peddling talk show hosts fully employed. :)
Richard's $.02 :munchin
JolieAmie
04-15-2009, 11:37
I am with NoRoadtrippin.
1. Correlation is not causation.
2. 219 students is a rather small sample. The article's findings are interesting, but do not seem to be statistically significant.
When the telephone came into wide use many decried the loss of face to face interaction, saying society was becoming too impersonal and telephones were wearing down the fabric of society. Years later none of us would give up the telephone. I think it's the same with facebook, MySpace, etc. Some will always be slow to accept new forms of communication, and it will take time for the proper etiquette to evolve, but in the end our lives will be improved.
...but in the end our lives will be improved.
Oh, yes...like the lives of all those who experience the inevitable consequences of being so addicted to 'communicating' that they cannot stop texting even while driving. :rolleyes:
I see it every day and cannot believe the stupidity of that one!
Richard's $.02 :munchin
JolieAmie
04-15-2009, 12:22
As I previously mentioned...
it will take time for the proper etiquette to evolve
As I previously mentioned...it will take time for the proper etiquette to evolve.
And Darwinian Theory supports that premise. ;)
Richard's $.02 :munchin
When the telephone came into wide use many decried the loss of face to face interaction, saying society was becoming too impersonal and telephones were wearing down the fabric of society. Years later none of us would give up the telephone.
The convenience of talking on a telephone does not invalidate the continuing concern over the negative impact of telephony on American society.
I think it's the same with facebook, MySpace, etc. Some will always be slow to accept new forms of communication, and it will take time for the proper etiquette to evolve, but in the end our lives will be improved.
IMHO, the conflation of new communication technology with an accompanying vernacular is problematic. Instantaneous delivery of a message does little good if that message is vacuous.
greenberetTFS
04-15-2009, 14:13
Oh, yes...like the lives of all those who experience the inevitable consequences of being so addicted to 'communicating' that they cannot stop texting even while driving. :rolleyes:
I see it every day and cannot believe the stupidity of that one!
Richard's $.02 :munchin
Richard,
Amen to that ...................;)
GB TFS :munchin
Respectfully, I disagree.
I'd be willing to risk that playing a sport, enrolling in ROTC, joining a fraternal organization or even volunteering on regular basis also have the potential (some more than others) to distract from core classes and therefore lower grades.
NRT-
I'm pickin' up what you're throwin' down but really, was there EVER an easier "A" than ROTC??? If joining ROTC lowers anyone's grades, they have a bigger issue than facebook... :D
But thanks for sharing Richard. It's amazing that we've become a culture that will email people instead of walking 15 feet down the hall to speak to them.
NoRoadtrippin
04-15-2009, 16:50
NRT-
I'm pickin' up what you're throwin' down but really, was there EVER an easier "A" than ROTC??? If joining ROTC lowers anyone's grades, they have a bigger issue than facebook... :D
Oh, I don't know, I might argue this as well. By sheer luck of my host school being what it was, ROTC felt like a second major at times. I had cadre that were proud of our school commissioning the best officers they possibly could. And I am therefore proud to say today that I graduated last in my ROTC class by the numbers, because that isn't so bad when we were the top ranked class to commission that year. Anything I am now capable of as an officer is due to the effort's of the men who were my cadre.
And I am therefore proud to say today that I graduated last in my ROTC class by the numbers...
Just curious...what does your Platoon Sergeant take for his migraines? :confused:
Richard's $.02 :munchin
NoRoadtrippin
04-15-2009, 18:20
Just curious...what does your Platoon Sergeant take for his migraines? :confused:
Richard's $.02 :munchin
Probably a number of different things. He only has to put up with me two days a month though (outside of the occasional phone call during the other 28 days).
Truth be told though, we have only worked together for a single month. I just transferred into Arkansas, and the company just got back from Iraq. So far, things are positive. However I am already being humbled by the responsibility of leading America's sons. Hopefully, between the two of us, they will be well prepared the next time we are called to do our part.
Now I'm going to go PT before I draw any more attention. I am way over my daily post allotment.
I think the gist is that - like most anything - (1) focusing too much on something like this to the exclusion of other things can be detrimental and (2) another effin' addiction to keep the analysts and angst peddling talk show hosts fully employed. :)
Richard's $.02 :munchin
Is Facebooking really any different than dorm room bull sessions? Different eras, different means of communicating. Some over indulge, while others use time wisely.
Looking back, I believe those bull sessions in the dorm were a very valuable educational tool. :D
:munchin
Richard....
I saw that article yesterday and thought about how much time those people must spend online..thus disregarding their studies and homework. I was wondering if you were going to post it. Glad you did...hopefully, some parents will start to pay attention to what their kids are doing.
I can recall when my niece was in high school and she would be doing research online and doing homework on the computer. Meanwhile, in the background, she would have her "messenger services" open and carrying on conversations. Distracting isn't it? She didn't see anything wrong with it and didn't see it as a distraction nor would she admit that her work was suffering. .
I recall thinking the same thing about two of my nephews doing all of the above while at the same time watching TV...but since both graduated at the top of their HS classes and were National Merit Scholars...both went on to graduate with honors from Notre Dame and the oldest is about to graduate number one in his law school class....I've since changed my views of "modern technology". :munchin
ROTC felt like a second major at times.
Would you mind if I quoted that? That's the funniest thing I've read in a long time!:cool:
Just messing with you, super troop. :lifter
NoRoadtrippin
04-16-2009, 07:12
Would you mind if I quoted that? That's the funniest thing I've read in a long time!:cool:
Just messing with you, super troop. :lifter
Roger that, sir. Just make sure I get due credit. :D
They just do not listen.. We have been telling them do not use it and now see what happens. It sucks the life and brain cells out of your head.
Pick up the phone and call some one. You will get more accomplished and waste less time.
Well then, couldn't the same be said about online forums?
Probably a number of different things. He only has to put up with me two days a month though (outside of the occasional phone call during the other 28 days).
Truth be told though, we have only worked together for a single month. I just transferred into Arkansas, and the company just got back from Iraq. So far, things are positive. However I am already being humbled by the responsibility of leading America's sons. Hopefully, between the two of us, they will be well prepared the next time we are called to do our part.
Now I'm going to go PT before I draw any more attention. I am way over my daily post allotment.
Young Butter Bar
You seam to be full of your self and that is OK. I will tell you that you need to look, listen and learn from your Combat proven men. Your PS will be your wealth of knowledge if he is worth anything and what you learn now will set the direction for a Good or Bad career for you. DO not go in and try to use those book learning ideas and change things because your ROTC Instructor or the IOBC course taught you this. Things in the real Military are a little different.
Your now in a Mans world so get rid of this My-Space/Facebook outlook and run with the Big Boys. Your not in College any more.
NoRoadtrippin
04-16-2009, 09:22
Young Butter Bar
You seam to be full of your self and that is OK. I will tell you that you need to look, listen and learn from your Combat proven men. Your PS will be your wealth of knowledge if he is worth anything and what you learn now will set the direction for a Good or Bad career for you. DO not go in and try to use those book learning ideas and change things because your ROTC Instructor or the IOBC course taught you this. Things in the real Military are a little different.
Your now in a Mans world so get rid of this My-Space/Facebook outlook and run with the Big Boys. Your not in College any more.
I definitely did not mean to come off as "full of myself." In saying that I am already being humbled, I was (vaguely, poorly) trying to say that it is amazing how little I already know. As with most motivated butter bars, I have lots of grandiose ideas and wonderful things I would like to train the Soldiers on. However, I am well aware (again to the credit of NCO's who raised me up) that as a new LT, I need to keep in mind that God gave me one mouth and two ears.
Ultimately, I am just extremely excited to finally be in leadership of a platoon.
You are right, it is finally my time to run with the Big Boys. At this point, I simply aim to keep up with the men who have BTDT.
There are a number of leadership focused threads on the board. However, none of them deal directly with leadership as a new PL as best I can tell. I know it would be worthwhile to me if the QP's and others here would be willing to start a thread focused on junior officer leadership. Situational events you can remember as either being positive or negative points for LT's in your past would be very appreciated. Is this a possibility?
Modern application of Darwin's Theory of Survival of the Fitest Technologically Adept Communicators...;)
Richard's $.02 :munchin
A few of the anonymous postings to Post Secrets...;)
Richard's $.02 :munchin
NoRoadtrippin
04-22-2009, 09:15
Ahhhh! Vindication! :lifter
ZonieDiver
04-22-2009, 09:45
I couldn't help thinking of this old "gem" -
R... O... T... C... It sounds like some Bullshit to me, to me
R... O... T... C... It sounds like some Bullshit to me.
Some mothers have sons in the service,
Some mothers have sons overseas,
But mother there's no need to worry,
Your son is in ROTC.
Repeat Chorus
:D
Well...it looks as if Facebook is more 'old school' than I thought. :D
Richard's $.02 :munchin
Utah Bob
04-24-2009, 07:27
The second most dangerous thing in the world.
A 2LT with a computer.;)
Used to be referred to as an acronym for Retards Of The Campus when the prevailing point-of-view of ROTC was a world of Niedermeyers. :rolleyes:
Richard's $.02 :munchin
ZonieDiver
04-24-2009, 11:02
Used to be referred to as an acronym for Retards Of The Campus when the prevailing point-of-view of ROTC was a world of Niedermeyers. :rolleyes:
Richard's $.02 :munchin
Damn, I loved that movie! My college ROTC company even wore black berets! We were the "Counter-Guerrilla Company" and thought we were hot stuff. :D