About the Book
The majority of people now use technology to help them keep track of appointments, get from point A to point B, and stay socially and professionally connected. Yet, we're constantly questioning if this is truly a useful 'crutch,' or if we're merely dampening our own ability to think and remember. In Brain Gain, tech and education expert Marc Prensky shows that both have strengths -our own cognitive function for sense-making and complex reasoning; technology for the ability to store and process large amounts of data. But how can we combine the strengths of each for maximum benefit? Drawing on the latest neuroscience and his own extensive research with cutting-edge experts in mind-machine combination, Prensky shows readers how smart people are now learning to improve our thinking power by using technology wisely, without losing our humanity.
Table of Contents:
Introduction: 'Brain Gain': Mind Evolution in Our Time The Human Mind Liberated, Improved, Extended, Enhanced and Amplified by Technology Attitude Matters Mind, Brain, and the State of Neuroscience Our Brains' Strengths (and Weaknesses) Technology's Weaknesses (and Strengths) Outsourcing to Extend, Enhance, and Amplify the Mind The Liberated Mind: A Useful Perspective The Quest for Digital Wisdom and the Emerging Homo Sapiens Digital What is Wisdom? Wisdom And Technology The Quest for Digital Wisdom Mind, Brain, Belief and 'Being Human': Dangerous Myths, Fears and Fallacies Digital Wisdom: The Wise Symbiosis of Mind and Technology Are We Wiser If...?: Brain Gain and Digital Wisdom, from Combining the Human Mind and Technology to: Overcome our Brain's Deficiencies Improve our Communication Augment our Physical Well-being Improve our Relations with Other People Make our World a Better Place Deepen our Analyses Derive New and Useful Insights Increase our 'Executive Thinking' (i.e. Decision Making) Ability Increase our Creativity Involve our Whole Planet Do New, Wiser Things Lesser Paths for Technology and Wisdom: Digital Cleverness and Digital Stupidity The Trade-Offs: Cultivating Brain Gain and Digital Wisdom In Life In the Professions In the Arts In Other Spheres Teaching Digital Wisdom: How Can We Help Our Kids Develop It? Are There Real Dangers? What Should We Be Wary Of? Beyond Digital Wisdom: The 'Singularity' and the Continually Evolving Human
About the Author :
MARC PRENSKY is an internationally acclaimed speaker, writer, and consultant in education and learning. He gives about 50 talks a year in addition to appearing on CNN, Fox News, and CNBC and has written for or been interviewed by The New York Times, San Francisco Examiner, Newsweek, Fast Company, and Maxim. He is the author of Digital Game-Based Learning, Don't Bother Me Mom - I'm Learning!, and Teaching Digital Natives: Partnering for Real Learning. Prensky also writes a regular column for Educational Technology.
Review :
A well-crafted antidote to the purveyors of doom and gloom regarding how the digital revolution affects our minds. Sure, there are many unanswered questions but the jury is in. Prensky shows beyond a reasonable doubt that technology is extending our brains beyond their conventional limitations. We're getting smarter not dumber, maybe even capable enough to survive and thrive in an ever more complex world.--Don Tapscott, bestselling coauthor of 14 books, Most recently Macrowikinomics: New Solutions For a Connected Planet
From flint axes to cloud computing, access to technology has constantly transformed how people think, feel, and behave. In this provocative and insightful book, Marc Prensky argues that our interactions with technology have now brought us literally to a new phase of human evolution, and that the implications are immense for how we live, relate, and educate ourselves. With his characteristic rigor and verve, Prensky challenges cherished assumptions of what it is to be human and analyses the powerful roles of technology in shaping who we are and who we are becoming. An essential read.--Sir Ken Robinson, author and educator
"An intriguing, astute counterbalance to the scaremongering that dominates many other books on digital life." --Kirkus Review
"A well-crafted antidote to the purveyors of doom and gloom regarding how the digital revolution affects our minds. Sure, there are many unanswered questions but the jury is in. Prensky shows beyond a reasonable doubt that technology is extending our brains beyond their conventional limitations. We're getting smarter not dumber, maybe even capable enough to survive and thrive in an ever more complex world. " --Don Tapscott, bestselling coauthor of 14 books, Most recently Macrowikinomics: New Solutions For a Connected Planet
"From flint axes to cloud computing, access to technology has constantly transformed how people think, feel, and behave. In this provocative and insightful book, Marc Prensky argues that our interactions with technology have now brought us literally to a new phase of human evolution, and that the implications are immense for how we live, relate, and educate ourselves. With his characteristic rigor and verve, Prensky challenges cherished assumptions of what it is to be human and analyses the powerful roles of technology in shaping who we are and who we are becoming. An essential read." --Sir Ken Robinson, author and educator
An intriguing, astute counterbalance to the scaremongering that dominates many other books on digital life. "Kirkus Review"
A well-crafted antidote to the purveyors of doom and gloom regarding how the digital revolution affects our minds. Sure, there are many unanswered questions but the jury is in. Prensky shows beyond a reasonable doubt that technology is extending our brains beyond their conventional limitations. We're getting smarter not dumber, maybe even capable enough to survive and thrive in an ever more complex world. Don Tapscott, bestselling coauthor of 14 books, Most recently Macrowikinomics: New Solutions For a Connected Planet
From flint axes to cloud computing, access to technology has constantly transformed how people think, feel, and behave. In this provocative and insightful book, Marc Prensky argues that our interactions with technology have now brought us literally to a new phase of human evolution, and that the implications are immense for how we live, relate, and educate ourselves. With his characteristic rigor and verve, Prensky challenges cherished assumptions of what it is to be human and analyses the powerful roles of technology in shaping who we are and who we are becoming. An essential read. Sir Ken Robinson, author and educator"
"An intriguing, astute counterbalance to the scaremongering that dominates many other books on digital life."
-"Kirkus Review"
"A well-crafted antidote to the purveyors of doom and gloom regarding how the digital revolution affects our minds. Sure, there are many unanswered questions but the jury is in. Prensky shows beyond a reasonable doubt that technology is extending our brains beyond their conventional limitations. We're getting smarter not dumber, maybe even capable enough to survive and thrive in an ever more complex world. "
--Don Tapscott, bestselling coauthor of 14 books, Most recently "Macrowikinomics: New Solutions For a Connected Planet."
"From flint axes to cloud computing, access to technology has constantly transformed how people think, feel, and behave. In this provocative and insightful book, Marc Prensky argues that our interactions with technology have now brought us literally to a new phase of human evolution, and that the implications are immense for how we live, relate, and educate ourselves. With his characteristic rigor and verve, Prensky challenges cherished assumptions of what it is to be human and analyses the powerful roles of technology in shaping who we are and who we are becoming. An essential read."
--Sir Ken Robinson, author and educator.
