With the leaps that technology has made, individuals’ reliance on screen technology has become so prevalent that it permeates all aspects of life, such as education and entertainment. Neuroplasticity is the theory that the brain is malleable and therefore adapts to environments and experiences in spite of disabilities, injuries, or old age (Doidge 2010). This allows screen technology to influence astuteness. Some scholars argue that screen technology positively affects cognitive skills, whereas others disagree. This essay will outline the debate of the positive and negative effects of screen technology on cognitive development. It will also evaluate the debate, verifying that the improvement of intelligence is positively related to the use
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McClellan’s article (2005) reports that according to Johnson’s study, computer games are essentially brain exercises that holistically improves psychological fitness. This is because computer games require continuous focus, strategic decision-making, and creative thinking. Another form of display interface is video games which have also been found to improve these aspects. This is important as children often find gaming fun and must, therefore, be utilised productively to aid the development of mental acumen. An example of this would be Assassin’s Creed, a role-playing game about alternate versions of history. It develops strategic decisiveness through the accelerated reaction times players must have to select what actions must be taken to accomplish missions. Eye-hand coordination is also enhanced due to the complexity of attack and defense movements executed through pressing certain buttons simultaneously or afterwards. For this reason, the application of screen-based electronic devices to improve cognitive skills, which relies on the malleability of the brain, could perhaps be pivotal in the case of aging decline or neurodegenerative diseases. This could be done via games specifically designed to target declining cognitive skills and training them continuously for the recovery of prior intellect or even of lost motor …show more content…
According to Carr (2010), reasoning has been fundamentally altered by the Internet into superficial thought processes through skimming, diversions, and facile learning. The research confirms that the ‘mental calisthenics’ involved in surfing the Internet, consequently puts even more of a strain on the brain, which then results in the lack of comprehension (Carr 2010, p. 3). For example, navigating Wikipedia, where there are numerous links to other sub-topics, have been found to considerably increase distractibility and oversimplified thinking because of the countless information the brain is inundated with, such as advertisements, formats, and others. In essence, screen technology through the loss of focus and depth of thought has radically changed cognition, which is pernicious to an intellectual
McClellan’s article (2005) reports that according to Johnson’s study, computer games are essentially brain exercises that holistically improves psychological fitness. This is because computer games require continuous focus, strategic decision-making, and creative thinking. Another form of display interface is video games which have also been found to improve these aspects. This is important as children often find gaming fun and must, therefore, be utilised productively to aid the development of mental acumen. An example of this would be Assassin’s Creed, a role-playing game about alternate versions of history. It develops strategic decisiveness through the accelerated reaction times players must have to select what actions must be taken to accomplish missions. Eye-hand coordination is also enhanced due to the complexity of attack and defense movements executed through pressing certain buttons simultaneously or afterwards. For this reason, the application of screen-based electronic devices to improve cognitive skills, which relies on the malleability of the brain, could perhaps be pivotal in the case of aging decline or neurodegenerative diseases. This could be done via games specifically designed to target declining cognitive skills and training them continuously for the recovery of prior intellect or even of lost motor …show more content…
According to Carr (2010), reasoning has been fundamentally altered by the Internet into superficial thought processes through skimming, diversions, and facile learning. The research confirms that the ‘mental calisthenics’ involved in surfing the Internet, consequently puts even more of a strain on the brain, which then results in the lack of comprehension (Carr 2010, p. 3). For example, navigating Wikipedia, where there are numerous links to other sub-topics, have been found to considerably increase distractibility and oversimplified thinking because of the countless information the brain is inundated with, such as advertisements, formats, and others. In essence, screen technology through the loss of focus and depth of thought has radically changed cognition, which is pernicious to an intellectual