Researchers claim technology works against students

They can navigate their smart phones, update social media and retrieve info in a split second.

But cognitive neuroscientist Jacque Gamino says today's students are lacking the basic skills they need to thrive in the workforce.

"They have information at their fingertips, more information than we had growing up, but they don't know what to do with it," Gamino said.

Dr. Sandra Bond Chapman believes technology can work against students.

"We're literally building an ADHD brain by jumping back and forth through our technology, too much shifting," Chapman said.

Scientists at the Center for Brain Health have been studying a new way to help students. Instead of focusing on memorization, the "smart program" teaches kids to think critically.

In this language arts class, students learn to bounce and customize what they read. They bounce out information that's not important and customize something to make it understandable to them.

"Kids always think there's just a right answer and a wrong answer, but in life there's a bunch of answers as long as it works," said Gregory Parker, a sixth grade teacher.

The "smart program" encourages teachers to ask more questions and let the students answer them.

Also, they try to make the lessons more meaningful.

"It just, um, taught us new ways to process information and comprehend it," said Victoria, an eighth grade student.

Schools implement the smart program 45 minutes every other day for four weeks. Results show standardized test scores improve by 20 to 50 percent.

"If you know how to learn, it doesn't matter what you are learning, you can do it," Gamino said.