As a teacher, what is the major difference between 1997, 2007, 2017 students?

As a teacher, what is the major difference between 1997, 2007, 2017 students? by Dave Consiglio

Answer by Dave Consiglio:

1. Distractions and cheating in the form of the Internet, camera phones, and social media.
1. When I started teaching (in 1999, but close enough) students were just as uninterested, just as bored, just as sleepy, etc. as students are today. They weren’t any smarter or more motivated, or less so, either.

   But, in 1997, kids who were bored had to write notes, or talk, or sleep. There was no constant electronic distraction. Almost no students had cell phones, and those that did had “dumb phones”. The Internet was nascent, and there was effectively no social media on it. Even in 2007 social media was a far cry from what it is today. The first iPhone debuted at the very end of the 06/07 school year, and it would be a few years more until the phone had the features (and the bandwidth) to make social media the enormous distraction it is today.

   So, for the first 10 years or so of my career, the distractions in my classroom were essentially non-existent. The last 8, however, have been full of cell phones loaded with the latest social media craze.

   In 1999, cheating was hard. You had to physically bring paper in to a test, or spend significant time in the risky business of copying a physical assignment. Now, a quick click with the camera phone and every student in class has a copy of the homework.

   As a result, homework has been rendered effectively useless. Students started having perfect homework assignments and abysmal tests right around 8 years ago – right around the time that camera phones and texting became ubiquitous.

   Tests are problematic, too. I used to notice that test scores slowly got better throughout the day – the students who took the test late in the day got the inside scoop from the kids who had taken it earlier. But the effect was small – often 2–5%.

   But, starting in around 2012 or so, that effect got much larger. Students got better with the phones, and policing a test is getting harder and harder. If your classroom phone rings, or you need to write an email, everyone in the afternoon class is looking at the answers.

   You can also forget using anything you find on the internet in the classroom. The minute I assign something, my students pull out their phones and start looking it up. If I require students to start the work in class, they almost always just flatly refuse. “I’ll do it at home” is the canned response, but that really means “I’ll cheat at home.”

   So, I have to individually write every assignment. I also write Python code to create different versions of tests for every student. I have to do pretty much all work in class – homework is either copied (if it can be) or ignored (if it can’t).

2. A significant increase in apathy
1. I don’t know if this is a universal thing or if it’s localized. But, I have so many students who are more than happy to receive a D- that it would shock the uninitiated. I try so hard to motivate students, to encourage and support them in their quest to get even a C. Many, though, say “meh” and settle for a D-. Try as I might, I have yet to find a tool that has more than the slightest effect on apathy. If you have good ideas, I’m all ears.
3. Size
1. Childhood obesity is undoubtedly increasing. Students are getting larger and larger. Many of my students eat Hostess cakes, Hot Cheetos and Mountain Dew for breakfast. Every. Day. Many don’t exercise at all. Fast food is everyday food.
4. A general sense of foreboding about the future.
1. This one makes sense to me. When I was in high school, I had a genuine sense of the incredible future I was about to encounter. I knew college would be amazing. Classes, parties, girls, and then a career that paid a decent wage and maybe a wife and a family and a house.

   Today, many students don’t have that same sense. Sure, it wasn’t really true when I was in school. Lots of students didn’t finish college, or did but ended up with no real job prospects. However, it is even less true today than it was 25 years ago. I think problems 1–3 may be the result of problem 4. If you genuinely believe that you have little chance of improving your life, why not just Snapchat all day, or “meh” your way through school, or eat junk food constantly? Why work toward a bright future if you don’t think you’re going to have a bright future?

Students haven’t changed. Not one bit. 16-year-olds in 1999 are fundamentally the same as they were 20 years before or 20 years after. But, the world has changed beneath their feet, and this new world isn’t so bright for teens as the old world was.

As a teacher, what is the major difference between 1997, 2007, 2017 students?

What are some cool psychological hacks?

What are some cool psychological hacks? by Deepak D

Answer by Deepak D:

You will love these psychological triggers.

✓ Twick the environment

When you want to bargain something, do convene in a coffee shop instead of work place or conference room. People tend to be more selfish when they see work related objects.

✓ Mimic them

Subtly mimic the way someone is sitting or standing and speaking to get them to like you more. They won't even notice you are copying them.

✓ Speak Quickly

When someone disagrees with you, speak faster so that they will have less time to process what you are saying. But if the person agrees with you, do speak more slowly. Let them evaluate whatever you are saying.

✓ Use Nouns Instead of Verbs

Using a noun instead of verb, reinforces your identity as a member of specific group. Use “ How important is it to you to be a voter?” instead of “How important is it to you to vote?”.

✓ Look in the eye

When you first meet people, try to notice their eye colour while also smiling at them. They will respond you in a better manner. Sometimes if he/ she is lying, he/ she may become nervous or stutter.

Have Fun With Conversations Now.

What are some cool psychological hacks?

Why is the painting with two fingers touching so famous?

Why is the painting with two fingers touching so famous? by Martin Sobr

Answer by Martin Sobr:

Largely because the fingers are NOT touching each other.

If you squint your eyes, you can see a distinctive gap between the fingers.

Creation of Adam by Michelangelo is a fresco painting that has occupied ceiling of Sistine chapel for about 500 years.

It is a depiction of the moment in which god grants a spark of life onto Adam, thus creating the first man, as described in Book of Genesis.

The symbolism behind the hands is that even though Adam is created in god’s image, they are not of the same realm. Their relationship is closely entwined and intimate, yet it is impossible for Adam to reach far enough to touch the finger of the divine.

Adam’s seemingly relaxed pose perhaps suggests a sort of natural way of things, rather than struggle, or despair of not being able to touch his creator.

The rest of the painting is a bit of mystery. Some scholars believe the god’s entourage represents a pretty accurate depiction of human brain, others say that it’s in fact a uterus.

This is partly the reason why Creation of Adam has always been on minds of art lovers through out centuries. The best art is done according to a method that naturally makes sense to us, yet is next to impossible to decode.

Deep down we know all the secrets to all the great paintings, but can’t reach it past the spark it leaves with us. Just as Adam will never reach his creator.

Why is the painting with two fingers touching so famous?

What was something that someone said or did that has changed you forever?

What was something that someone said or did that has changed you forever? by @meporter

Answer by Matthew E. Porter:

Seven years ago, my wife told our 6 year old daughter about our wedding weekend. My wife had moved back home to spend the weekend with her family.

As I was tucking in our daughter later that night, she asked if she could “come home like mommy did” when she gets married one day. (Hopefully, one day far off into the future…) I told her she absolutely could come home and our house would always be open to her. She gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. She was giddy.

After a few seconds, I could see her mind churning. She then poked me in the belly and told me, “You have a lot of squishy. I don't know if you are going to make it.”

I was shocked. It was true that my health had taken a huge downturn the previous 5 years as I was building Contegix. I had not thought about it as destroying a future with my family. A 6-year old saw what I missed.

I decided to run a mile the next morning. I couldn't make it 1/4 mile. I didn't give up and went out the next morning.

Seven years later, I have kept off 60 lbs and regularly run ultra marathons. I attempted my first 100 miler last August, but I missed cut off time at mile 87 after running on a torn hamstring for the previous 79 miles.

Yet, the most important distance I will ever go will be walking her down the aisle one day. I may not have made it if it wasn't for the honesty and innocence of a 6-year old.

What was something that someone said or did that has changed you forever?

Is it possible that the moon core is full of diamond and gold?

Is it possible that the moon core is full of diamond and gold? by Mateusz Kempiński

Answer by Mateusz Kempiński:

Actually, Moon has something better than gold and diamonds 😉 It’s not in the core, however. And it’s not a solid body like gold or diamond. It is a helium isotope – He3, that came with the solar wind and got adsorbed in the porous rocks at the Moon’s surface. Several years ago a liter of gaseous He3 was worth over 5000$… Get it? LITER OF GAS. If you liquefy it you get one milliliter…
A mere droplet (that actually needs a temperature of -270 Celsius degrees to exist).

And still nobody wants to sell it!

He3 is used in neutron detectors at the airports, for some medical diagnostics, in low temperature science and could be used to produce INSANE amounts of energy through the nuclear fusion process. If we only had enough of it…

There are crazy plans to travel to the moon to extract He3 and bring it back here.
I doubt anybody would move their ass so far away for a couple of diamonds.

This is how reality beats even the most crazy dreams 😉

Is it possible that the moon core is full of diamond and gold?

What is the most useless job you can think of?

What is the most useless job you can think of? by Delaney Natale

Answer by Delaney Natale:

The lifeguard at the swimming Olympics.

These guys are professional swimmers, the best in the world. Still, there's always a chance something could go wrong, and if you didn't have a lifeguard for that one incident that something happens… well, it probably wouldn't turn out well.

I see the point in it, but it has to be awfully boring.

And useless.

Edit: Please don’t tell me in the comments that there’s a reason for it. I pointed out clearly in this answer that I know there’s always a chance something will go wrong. I was only stating that it’s extremely unlikely. I’m aware that anything could happen.

Edit 2: People don't seem to care about what I said before about understanding the lifeguard's purpose. Comments disabled.

What is the most useless job you can think of?

What was the shortest interview you’ve had that led to a job offer?

What was the shortest interview you’ve had that led to a job offer? by Angus Penfold

Answer by Angus Penfold:

It was probably 30 seconds.

I bumped into one of my Dad’s business friends at a bar. We got to talking about life and work.

He asked me what I was up to.

I told him I had just finished my MBA and that I was looking for a graduate position.

We had talked prior at functions and events, and my Dad always said his friend spoke highly of me.

He asked if I had my transcript on me. I whipped out my iPhone, logged onto my University student account and showed him my grades. I also showed him a thesis I wrote on industry-linked diversification.

He offered me a job on the spot. Business analyst. $105,000 salary, 17.5% super, 28 days of holidays, 21 days sick leave, and the opportunity for rapid advancement. I took it.

What was the shortest interview you’ve had that led to a job offer?

What has Hollywood been lying to me about?

What has Hollywood been lying to me about? by Pahul Chhabra

Answer by Pahul Chhabra:

1. The nerd always gets the head cheerleader.
2. A guy can survive five bullets for five hours and kill the greatest criminal mastermind to ever live at the same time.
3. Your allies will come rescue you a second before your kidnappers kill you.
4. Whenever a couple starts dancing, the perfect song that reflects what they are experiencing starts playing.
5. One guy manages to dodge bullets fired from five different guns and kills all five of them without getting a scratch.
6. The main character just happens to find a gun which is loaded and in perfect condition in the middle of a firefight.
7. No enemy happens to see the hero when he starts sneaking around in a High Security Military Base.
8. A superhero wears black glasses and boom! No one recognizes the guy.
9. All the bad aliens are itching to fuck with America.
10. There is always one set of identical girl twins who speak in unison.

What has Hollywood been lying to me about?

What is the hardest truth you had to accept that made you stronger?

What is the hardest truth you had to accept that made you stronger? by @DylanWoonLeads

Answer by Dylan Woon:

Instead of one, I accepted eleven of them.

1. If you waste time, you waste life. Time is ticking, don’t waste your life – literally. Do things that truly matter to you.
2. Change what you can, accept what you cannot. This may sound discouraging, but it’s actually liberating. Since you can’t control everything, working on the right things is all you have to do.
3. You’re living in the real world, not a fantasy land. The real world is far from ideal. Be bold, be practical.
4. You could be heavily disadvantaged. You could be born in a poor family or born with disability. Maybe your hard-earned money was cheated. But don’t ever give up. Be resilient and keep moving.
5. Blaming kills you. When you blame your government, parents and friends for your current situation, you don’t solve anything. Instead, you become bitter and get killed from the inside.
6. You are responsible for all your emotions. Good or bad, emotions are generated by you, not radiated to you by the external circumstances. Master your emotions.
7. Most people don’t care about you. They’re more concerned about their lives than yours, and that’s perfectly normal.
8. Love could harm you. Many people are actually harmed, rather than nourished by love. Many harmful actions are done under the name of love.
9. Your parents are getting older. They can’t protect you anymore. it’s your turn to protect them now. Grow up.
10. You may lose health. It’s tempting to sacrifice health for wealth. That’s putting the cart before the horse. Don’t make the mistake – health always comes first.
11. You are going to die. This is a fact, not a curse. Appreciate the person in front of your mirror and live your life to the fullest.

The 11 points above were initially hard to accept. But once I did, I became stronger.

I sincerely hope that you will, too.

I write more here.

What is the hardest truth you had to accept that made you stronger?

What is the hardest truth you had to accept that made you stronger?

What is the hardest truth you had to accept that made you stronger? by @DylanWoonLeads

Answer by Dylan Woon:

Instead of one, I accepted eleven of them.

1. If you waste time, you waste life. Time is ticking, don’t waste your life – literally. Do things that truly matter to you.
2. Change what you can, accept what you cannot. This may sound discouraging, but it’s actually liberating. Since you can’t control everything, working on the right things is all you have to do.
3. You’re living in the real world, not a fantasy land. The real world is far from ideal. Be bold, be practical.
4. You could be heavily disadvantaged. You could be born in a poor family or born with disability. Maybe your hard-earned money was cheated. But don’t ever give up. Be resilient and keep moving.
5. Blaming kills you. When you blame your government, parents and friends for your current situation, you don’t solve anything. Instead, you become bitter and get killed from the inside.
6. You are responsible for all your emotions. Good or bad, emotions are generated by you, not radiated to you by the external circumstances. Master your emotions.
7. Most people don’t care about you. They’re more concerned about their lives than yours, and that’s perfectly normal.
8. Love could harm you. Many people are actually harmed, rather than nourished by love. Many harmful actions are done under the name of love.
9. Your parents are getting older. They can’t protect you anymore. it’s your turn to protect them now. Grow up.
10. You may lose health. It’s tempting to sacrifice health for wealth. That’s putting the cart before the horse. Don’t make the mistake – health always comes first.
11. You are going to die. This is a fact, not a curse. Appreciate the person in front of your mirror and live your life to the fullest.

The 11 points above were initially hard to accept. But once I did, I became stronger.

I sincerely hope that you will, too.

I write more here.

What is the hardest truth you had to accept that made you stronger?