My Maggie Jackson Discussion Questions

In this new world of a technologically dependent generation, kids have become suited for the lightning-paced and multitasking society. The article states that "we are nurturing a culture of social diffusion, intellectual fragmentation, and sensory detachment." We lack attention, but are there any positive effects on kids?

According to the article, the fluctuating "tonic" alertness is rooted in the brain's right hemisphere and the "phasic" alertness, which is triggered by a teacher's bark or a starting gun, is rooted in the brain's left hemisphere. Why are the two types of alertness rooted in different sides of the brain? Does one side of the brain have a stronger power of attention than the other side?