The answer is that kids between the ages of 8 and 18 are using media approximately 7 and half hours a day, which is up since the last time this study was done five years ago.

At that time, researchers thought that teens’ media usage was at an all-time high at 5 hours a day. But, today’s technology is increasingly mobile. It can, and does, go anywhere that kids go. The breakfast table. The car. The park. Kids don’t have to plant their butts in front of the TV or the desktop computer to be plugged in.

The mobility of media means that kids are constantly connected, which is how they are spending almost 1/2 of their waking day online. And they’re not just plugged in—they’re using multiple media simultaneously.

Kids today are the ultimate multi-taskers: walking and texting. Listening and surfing. Gaming and chatting. Watching and texting.

For tween and teens, technology is ubiquitous.

It’s au courant.

It’s also problematic.

It can lead to obesity. It can cause social disconnection, focus issues, and dangerous online habits. And, most importantly, it can cause communication problems in the classroom.

Whether you are a supporter of teens’ usage of technology, or worried about potential impact it might have on users, one thing is sure: the techno-savvy teen generation is raising a lot of very important questions about how media usage is changing the way that we think and learn, both in and out of the classroom.

I find school, for the most part, easy. However, the one thing that I, and many others, struggle with is staying focused when studying.

For me, it’s all the distractions. There are iPods, TV, games consoles, magazines, and even siblings can be a distraction! But, the main distraction is myself. I find it very hard to block out everything else and focus on studying.

I don’t know why, but having to focus leaves me no choice but to find myself a distraction!

I have tried many different approaches, techniques, and tips to help me sit and concentrate. The few that work for me are:

• Find a quiet workspace away form other distractions and make it into your study space.
• Pace. I create a plan to study for 20 minutes, and then take a 5-minute break.
• Simplify notes to few words. Then, on the test, it’s easy to expand on concepts.
• Don’t keep re-reading the same notes. If they don’t make sense, I find other sources on the same topic to study from.

I have followed these since I was in grade 8 and it has always been easy for me to study ever since! Do you find it hard not to become distracted?

Why is it so hard to concentrate?

About me: Hi! My name is Dylan and I am 15 years old. I have recently been asked to write a few guest posts on the topic Teens: Why Do We Do What We Do?
About me: I go to South Secondary School in London, ON and I have two younger siblings. I have always been a movie guy. In the summer I love to bike with my friends down to the Thames River and ride along the trails. The sights and the entire ride are always beautiful. I also like to bake and listen to old music. I hope that you enjoy my posts! Remember to leave feedback! ~Dylan.

Teens. Why Do We Do What We Do?

School is Boring. (What? Were you expecting it to be interesting all the time?)

We go to school to learn. But, in my opinion, the way that we are taught isn’t all that great.

My two favourite classes are science and English. Why? They’re both hands-on classes.

In my English class, we didn’t just read Shakespeare: we sat in a circle and read the lines to each other. This was not only a fun experience, but also one that I still remember, and one that helped me come exam time.

In Science, we did lab assignments that kept us busy throughout the whole class. I find that I learn better this way. Think about it: if you had to figure out the boiling point of water, would you rather figure it out with a Bunsen Burner and a beaker, or with a piece of paper and a pen?

I’m not saying that schools use bad teaching techniques—I’m still learning, aren’t I? What I’m saying is that I (and other students who are hands-on learners like me) would most likely learn better if I had more hands-on work.

Teachers will recite lesson after lesson, hoping that we just absorb all the information. The fact is, students won’t. If I sit in class, politely taking notes and doing my assigned work, I’ll discover that later that I should have asked questions, and because I didn’t, I don’t fully understand what is expected of me.

Why are we afraid to ask questions? Why can’t we just be taught in the way that we will all understand, or in a way that makes all school subjects interesting?

About me: I go to South Secondary School in London, ON and I have two younger siblings. I have always been a movie guy. Whenever my friends call or text me to go for a walk or to meet up at the school my only response is “Nope. Movie or bust!” Needless to say I usually get my way! But movies aren’t the only thing I enjoy. In the summer I love to bike with my friends down to the Thames River and ride along the trails. The sights and the entire ride are always beautiful. I know, right? How often do you come across a teenage guy who uses the word beautiful when not talking about that hottie across the hall? But there’s more weirdness than that! I also like to bake and listen to old music. OMG! You’ve just entered the Twilight Zone! Anyway, hopefully you’ll enjoy my new posts! Remember to leave feedback and comments at the bottom! – Dylan.

Hi. My name is Dylan and I am 15 years old. I have recently been asked to write a few guest posts about what it’s like to be a teenager in today’s world. They have also asked me to write about different topics regarding school, habits, and just life. I thought about it for a while, and the idea kind of freaked me out. I mean, putting all my thoughts online for everyone to see. It kind of gave me butterflies. But, come decision time I agreed and got the job. So, here’s to, hopefully, a long time of blogging!

Teens. Why Do We Do What We Do?

Procrastination: Avoid Homework and Studying At All Costs!

Ever notice how, at times, you might come home and crack open your homework without even being asked? Weird. But, at other times you have to be asked over and over again?

I do this. Lots of students do it.

We all do it. That’s because when we understand something, we think that it’s fun to do and we just can’t wait to get started on it!

However, when we come across something we don’t really grasp, we avoid it.

This is because we don’t like the challenge. It’s not our fault. We’re just wired that way.

But, there are some ways you can overcome this and rewire yourself!

Here’s how:

• Set a goal to change a habit (like leaving homework to the last minute)
• Write it down
• Talk to your friends about why you don’t like a subject
• Ask for tips—friends might offer some ideas on what they do that may work for you too
• Talk to parents or teachers
• Use your agenda to track how you’re doing

Once you have rewired your system, work that was once hard will become work that you pull out at the end of the day without being asked and just do! No questions asked.

But, that’s not the best part. Once your parents acknowledge this dramatic change, you will have more freedoms: stay up later, more social time, who knows? All you have to do is learn. Simple, right?

Parents want you to do your homework. Teachers want you to do your homework. So why not just DO your homework? You’re the one who will reap all of the rewards (both in school and at home!)

How do you feel about homework? What subjects do you find the hardest to just sit down and do? I’d love to hear about it!

About me: I go to South Secondary School in London, ON and I have two younger siblings. I have always been a movie guy. Whenever my friends call or text me to go for a walk or to meet up at the school my only response is “Nope. Movie or bust!” Needless to say I usually get my way! But movies aren’t the only thing I enjoy. In the summer I love to bike with my friends down to the Thames River and ride along the trails. The sights and the entire ride are always beautiful. I know, right? How often do you come across a teenage guy who uses the word beautiful when not talking about that hottie across the hall? But there’s more weirdness than that! I also like to bake and listen to old music. OMG! You’ve just entered the Twilight Zone! Anyway, hopefully you’ll enjoy my new posts! Remember to leave feedback and comments at the bottom! – Dylan.

Even before young children head off to school for formal instruction, they are busy learning to make sense of their worlds. In fact, they accumulate an enormous store of basic knowledge simply by observing life around them.

Their naturally curious minds scrutinize everything. Nothing is exempt. They go to bed at night and seem to wake up smarter.

The amazing thing is that, as children observe and learn the rules of how the world works, they are also developing their own innate skills that help them make sense of the world.

By the time they enter the world of formal education, they already have a very solid understanding of the learning skills that they need in order to be successful students.

Sure, when asked about a given concept—such as money—they may not be able to verbalize it, rationalize it, or discuss its purpose, but the basic knowledge is already in place:

• They can assign meaning
• They understand value
• They see connections
• They can sort and categorize

Counting, adding, and subtracting are important skills that children learn in school. But the skills that children learn before school are just as important.

In this week’s Secret Agent Josephine guest post, Brenda shows us how helping her four-year old daughter Bug learn to use money can be sometimes frustrating, sometimes painstaking, but always fun!

click to enlarge

Students of all ages can hone their study skills with these tips that teachers wished they knew when they were students.

Tip 5: Study Buddy!

Want a quick tip to cut the amount that you have to study in half? Partner up! Study buddies are a great way to divide study material, save time, and gain new perspectives.

Here’s how it works:

1. Select a Study Buddy. The best study buddy is someone who you will be able to work well with. It’s nice to partner up with your friends, but if you’re going to spend your time gossiping or discussing video game high scores, then it won’t be time well spent.
2. Set a Schedule. Select a time and place to meet up to study.
3. Divvy up the Workload. If there are two chapters to study, each student is responsible for one chapter.
4. Talk it Out. A study buddy isn’t about sitting down together and quietly reading side by side. A study buddy helps you learn, helps you discover areas that you need to focus on, and helps you cut down on the amount of studying you have to do on your own.
5. Prepare. Before you meet for the first time, do your review.
   • Make study notes: write down titles, headings, and keywords, and make a copy for your partner
   • Create your own mnemonic devices
   • Create a fake test for your study partner
6. Teach it. Take turns teaching a unit or section to one another. Review the material, but don’t read word for word from the text or class notes—boring! Don’t know where to start? Even if it seems awkward, just start at the beginning: “Chapter 5 is about atoms. Atoms are broken down into three basic elements…” Your study buddy can help you fill in gaps as well as point out important areas that you might have overlooked.
7. Paraphrase. This is just a fancy word for putting it your own words. If you’re reciting word for word from a textbook you’re just memorizing. If you can explain it in your own words, then you’re on your way to real understanding.
8. Pay Attention to Class Examples. Sometimes teachers give examples in class that are not in the textbook. Teachers sometimes include these on a test to see if you were paying attention in class. Remember that films, pictures, and handouts can turn up on tests, so don’t overlook these examples—even if they seem silly.
9. Share. Your impressions and opinions about the material might offer a new perspective on a subject. A different viewpoint can give you insights and ideas that you hadn’t considered.
10. End with a test. Pass each other the fake tests that you’ve created and quiz one another. Correct each other’s test and see how you did.

Sometimes teachers assign study groups, usually with 3-5 (or more) students per group. While a larger group might decrease the amount of material that you have to review on your own, it can also be a recipe for disaster. A too-large group can too easily lead to socialization and procrastination, so it’s important to follow the above tips and stay organized.

Print off this post.
Download the complete Insider’s Guide To Studying (PDF).

Related:
Tip 4: Putting it your own words.
Tip 3: The Fake Test
Tip 2: Mnemonic devices
Tip 1: Review with a Pen and Paper

Students of all ages can hone their study skills with these tips that teachers wished they knew when they were students.

Tip 4: Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing. It means: summarize, re-word, interpret, translate, and/or restate. It’s a key study skill.

When it comes to studying, paraphrasing is the opposite of memorizing. That’s because it helps students make sense of the material. It helps students to understand, which, when it comes to learning and studying is crucial!

Scenario: it’s study time. The books are cracked open, and you’ve got a pen and paper ready to go. You’re in the process of making study notes. You’ve created some mnemonic devices to remember lists and you’re in the process of creating a Fake Test.

But how do you turn the act of making study notes into actual studying? That’s where paraphrasing comes in.

It’s a simple five-step process:

1. Grab your textbook or notebook and Read a passage.
2. Cover the passage with a book or a piece of paper.
3. Recite what you’ve just read using your own words (paraphrase)—don’t look! No cheating!
4. Check. Re-read and check that what you’re reciting is accurate.
5. Repeat. Keep reading, reciting, and checking until you’ve got it 100% right.

Bonus Tip:

If you’re having trouble putting it in your own words, imagine that somebody is asking you this question “what does that mean?” Try to answer that question in your own words. You can also try using, “in other words” before you paraphrase.

Related:
Tip 3: The Fake Test
Tip 2: Mnemonic devices
Tip 1: Review with a Pen and Paper