The "Digital Age" has set Gen A up for failure in school.

Question

My claim is that Gen Alpha has been set up for failure in the classroom due to the digital age usage in classrooms. It is very clear how technology has impacted education especially after the pandemics when everything was online. Now, even in as young as elementary school, assignments for kids are online. In the tagged article, it mentions that only 33% of fourth graders in America scored at or above proficiency on a reading exam. As technology and AI continue to grow, our education system will decrease.

Answer 1

The assertion that Generation Alpha is being set up for failure in school due to the digital age is supported by multiple data points and expert opinions. A significant concern is the decline in reading proficiency; for instance, only 33% of fourth graders in the U.S. scored at or above proficiency on a reading exam, marking the lowest level since 2005 . This decline is attributed to increased screen time and reliance on digital devices, which have been linked to shorter attention spans and reduced engagement in traditional learning activities . Furthermore, the shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, as many students struggled with the lack of interactive and social learning environments . Teachers have reported that the overuse of technology in classrooms has led to a decrease in students' foundational skills, such as reading and writing, and an overreliance on AI tools for assignments . While technology offers numerous educational benefits, the current integration methods may not be effectively supporting Generation Alpha's learning needs, potentially hindering their academic development. The Emory Wheel, New York Post)

Sources:

Business Insider: "For Gen Alpha, Learning to Read Is Becoming a Privilege" Business Insider
 

The Emory Wheel: "Digital age sets Gen Alpha up for failure in classroom"  The Emory Wheel
 

New York Post: "Teacher reveals why she's quitting on her students"  New York Post

Answer 2

The claim that Gen Alpha has been set up for failure in the classroom due to digital technology is partially true, but it leaves out key context. Only 33% of fourth graders scored at or above the “proficient” level in reading on the 2022 national test (NAEP). However, this doesn’t mean they are all failing. “Proficient” means strong performance, not just passing. The drop in scores isn’t only because of technology. Other factors, like the COVID-19 pandemic (Associated Press, 2023) and frequent student absences (Wall Street Journal, 2023), also had a major impact. Too much technology can hurt learning when it’s overused or used poorly. But it can also help when used the right way. So while the concern is valid, it’s not just about technology.

https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reading/nation/achievement https://apnews.com/article/53b0f3de56de526ead7a356bd7b853e0
https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/reading-test-scores-american-students-5fb78d4e 

Answer 3

This claim is true.

The claim that "Gen Alpha" has been set up for failure in the classroom because of the digital age usage is true, and statistics can back it up. According to the National Assessment of Education Progress [NAEP], "only 33% of fourth graders performed at a 'proficient level'" (Sager), making a rapid decline from ten years ago. Ten years ago, 33% of fourth graders performed higher or at the proficient level. Further, research indicates that screen time can negatively affect a students' reading level because it can hinder attention, sleep, and processing information--with that, Gen Alpha has grown up around technology being thrown in their faces. We didn't see a decline in academics ten years ago when technology was not important in everyday use.

Sources: 

https://ignite-reading.com/insights/naep-reading-test-results/?

https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/reading-on-screens-worsens-comprehension-for-younger-students-what-can-teachers-do/2024/01?

Answer 4

While there is definitely an argument on the negative effects the digital age may have on Gen Alpha, it is a very opinionated statement that at this point can't necessarily be proven. Maybe in the future there is potential for there to be an official supported answer but as of now it is too new to come to an actual decision on if the digital age creates failure.

Answer 5

Your claim that Generation Alpha is being set up for failure in the classroom due to increased digital technology use, especially following the pandemic, is a perspective echoed by some educators and commentators. For instance, a 2024 opinion piece in The Emory Wheel discusses concerns about young students' foundational skills, citing teachers who observe that some elementary students struggle with basic tasks like writing their names .The Emory Wheel. This statistics highlights challenges in education, attributing them solely to digital technology use may oversimplify the issue. Factors such as socioeconomic disparities, access to quality instruction, and the broader impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic also play significant roles in student performance.

Answer 6

I get what you’re saying, gen A is definitely growing up way more online than any other generation. But I don’t know if I’d say the digital age is setting them up for faliure. I think it really depends on how the tech is used. Some apps and learning tools are actually super helpful in school. It’s probably more about balance than just blaming screens in general. Did you find anything that talks about the positives of tech in education too?

Answer 7

The article "Digital age sets Gen Alpha up for failure in classroom" raises some genuine concerns about how technology may be affecting today's youngest students, and many of the claims hold up. For example, it's true that only 33% of U.S. fourth graders were reading at or above the proficient level in 2022, according to national data. The article also talks about how too much screen time is linked to issues like ADHD, anxiety, and depression, which research supports, though it's mostly based on correlations, not proven cause-and-effect. The point about teachers feeling burned out and leaving the profession also holds true; a 2024 RAND study found that many teachers are dealing with student behavioral issues and other stressors. Finally, the suggestion to limit screen time for young children is in line with advice from experts, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, who recommend focusing on hands-on learning during early childhood. While some claims could benefit from additional evidence, the article presents a compelling case that the digital world may be doing more harm than good in early education.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11385738/

https://www.wsj.com/us-news/education/teachers-america-burn-out-b2cc2a51

Answer 8

I agree with this claim, students, especially now in the digital universe that we live in are statistically getting much more screen time then what is recommended, with 43% of Gen alphas having tablets before the age of 6, and 58% having phones by 10. along with this it states that 39% of gen alphas spend about 3 hours a day looking at a screen, and 24% spending at least 7 hours on their phones. this excessive amount of screen time has been proven to prohibit and cause things like increased depression and anxiety, as well as having much less physical activity and stronger personal comparisons to those they seen online. as well as the overstimulating videos many YouTubers provide, that are usually loud and full of bright flashing colors (like Mr.Beast for example). this in turn is making it harder for younger students to "commit to learning processes that are slow, complex, and challenging" as stated in the article Generation Alpha is Causing problems for teachers. As students get use to this instant gratification, school does not always provide the same amount of stimulus many students crave, this in turn hinders their ability to learn as their main focus is no longer on school, but on the technology and stimulus they have been accustomed to crave.  

https://basis.com/blog/generation-alpha-online-habits-and-media-preferences-by-the-numbers#:~:text=This%20early%20and%20extensive%20exposure,by%20the%20age%20of%2010.

https://www.myprps.com/news/dangers-of-excessive-screen-time-for-generation-alpha--20250129213239

https://www.newsweek.com/generation-alpha-technology-education-teachers-2076269