Chapter 5: Motivating Today's Students- and Tomorrow's Workers
"What does it take to bring out the best in young people today, both in school and in the work place?" Wagner asks this question at the very beginning of the chapter. Many including myself are very worried about the work ethic of young people today and how it continues to decline. I have noticed this over the years that we are caring less and less about our work ethic and some don't even have a work ethic. I have had a job since I was 15 and always have taken it seriously trying to my best ability. On the other hand my brother is 16 years old and my parents are struggling with him to get a job. He has no motivation to work or even fill out applications and its rather pathetic.
Another impact of this generation is how differently we have grown up. I grew up in a digital world. There is not very much time out of the day that I am not on my blackberry or macbook or have my ipod on. We have so many more distractions now that my parents ever had. Because we grew up in the digital world we also learn differently. I know I am much more comfortable doing tasks and finding information on a computer vs hard text. We multi-task so much that we have to learn the same way which doesn't always work. Parents need to step up their game and help their children with more critical thinking. Simple conversations weekly can really help students with these skills. If no one is pushing them and testing them then how will they get better? We need to engage ourselves and our children to become all that we can be :)
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