Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/7398
“When I’m writing an essay, I put in abbreviated words that I use in text messages. It’s a habit from using comput- ers a lot.” –Alexis Martell, high school ❙ Facebook and lots of people at the same school will see it instantaneously,” says Alec Mackenzie, a teacher at Crocker High School in Hillsborough. “Negative information moves quickly and the whole school knows about something that hap- pened at school before stu- dents even get home because they have texted about it when the bell rings.” “With communication like texting and instant messag- ing, they can be meaner,” a g r e e s J a b a g c h o u r i a n . “There’s lots of bullying going on. There has always been bullying, but it’s taken a new form. Online bullying can be anony- mous, so there’s an ability to be mean and not have repercussions.” The phenomenon has put teachers in language holds such a variety of hidden messages with vocal inflections and body language and facial expressions. Text mes- sages, in my opinion, cannot possibly of- fer the same kind of richness in communication, and make it difficult to determine subtle nuances of communication, in- cluding humor. I am concerned about the shortcuts in commu- nication texting creates.” The speech pathologist is Ellen Schouest Redlands Teachers Association also concerned about the growing trend for online rela- tionships to take the place of real ones in the lives of young students. “They get so emo- tionally involved in what they are seeing online, even if they haven’t met the person,” says Schouest. “They the position of having to calm down hys- terical groups of students and also educate parents about improper use of the Inter- net. (For related story “Is Generation Z growing up too soon?” see page 16.) Mixed signals It’s easy for signals to get mixed when students are texting, says Ellen Schouest, a speech pathologist and member of the Redlands Teachers Association. “Spoken TOP: Student Valerie Barnes at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard. RIGHT: Students Darla Wilson and Lacey Modos use computers to study Gen Z in a child development course at San Jose State University. 14 California Educator | FEBRUARY 2010 think a lot about people they have never met because they’ve talked online or text- ed that person. I ask, ‘Have you ever met this person?’ and they say, ‘No, but he’s my friend on Facebook.’” “I do believe that texting has affected oral communication in this generation,” she adds. “As a speech pathologist, I fo- cus on verbal communication. And it’s difficult trying to talk to somebody who’s not listening to me because they are trying to solve another problem and texting at the same time and there’s no eye contact.” “It’s frightening, because a lot of to- day’s kids don’t make eye contact,” says Peggy Cameron, a paraprofessional at Al- ice C. Stelle Middle School in Calabasas. “They aren’t supposed to use cell phones at school, but they are so used to texting