Street smarts combined with book smarts make for a well-rounded individual, but one must now consider adding tech smarts to the mix.

A new debate is opening about what "smart" is when a quick Google search can answer about any question.

There is no question that technology has changed the way we learn, but academic instruction has swayed from memorization to applied learning. Technology has brought a world of libraries to students' fingertips. Some might question the relevance of reading and retaining when answers can be found with a quick Google search.

"The old model of learning was to memorize and spit it back out," said Dr. Karen Koy, assistant professor of geology at Missouri Western State University. Students are faced with determining whether information they learn off the Internet is factual, which requires a new skill set that wasn't relevant 20 years ago, Dr. Koy said.

"They have to be taught those critical thinking and evaluating skills," she said.

Emory University English professor/author Dr. Mark Bauerlein's recent book, titled "The Dumbest Generation," supposes that the current crop of students are made less smart because of technology. He said now more than ever, they're less aware of political and world events. His detractors say he's bringing up an age-old saying: "Kids these days ..."

Laura Nelson, director of assessment for the St. Joseph Public School District, believes many who are judging what is "smart" are looking at a 21st century scenario through a 20th century lens.

"I find it offensive because I think genius and intelligence really does come in multiple forms," Ms. Nelson said, adding that a student who doesn't score a perfect 34 on his or her ACT test (a comprehensive college placement exam) shouldn't be considered "not smart."

She cautioned that teachers can't be swayed by the shock-and-awe of the "click, click, click and shiny" results of computer fluency that many young people possess. She said students still need the rigor of regular class work.

"At some point, the wonderkids who actually did read Sir Thomas More's "Utopia" and are really good at click, click, click, shiny - they're going to be the ones running the show and defining intelligence," she said.

Dr. Bauerlein said in an article titled "Online literacy is a lesser kind" in the Chronicle of Higher Education last month that "screen scanning," which refers to the way one reads off a computer monitor, "conspires against certain intellectual habits requisite to liberal-arts learning." Furthermore, he said that the "Web is perfect for narrow, just-in-time learning of information nuggets."

Taira Marriott, a student at Missouri Western State University, disagrees.

"I think people in my generation learn better online, because that's what we're used to," she said.

Perhaps stepping away from the computer, video games, and the television and getting involved with groups is another "smart" concept. Western's office of student engagement offers a booklet titled "Get Smart!" Luke Herrington, a senior at Western, published the booklet which says in a typical seven-day cycle for the average college student, they spend 15 hours in class, 30 hours studying, 56 hours sleeping, 21 hours at meals, and 15 hours at a part-time job. That leaves 31 hours of which to make good use.

When asked what being "smart" is, Mr. Herrington said that it's hard to define, but it involves much more that academics.

"I think in order for someone to be smart, it doesn't need to involve book smarts," he said. "Common sense; How to behave; Being able to figure out problems and problem solve - You don't have to have a formal education to think on your feet."

Jimmy Myers can be reached at jimmym@npgco.com