Each year technology has become more and more
extravagant, and it produces some great results, while at the same time
hindering one's ability to learn. When I was first introduced to technology in
about the fourth grade, it was exciting. I was able to explore new things, and
learn how to do research, type etc.. just like Olivia and others mentioned in
the videos. However, now that I look back on technology, and all of the pros, I
begin to also notice the cons.
As a teacher, I feel that it is important for me to
know Olivia’s relationship to, and uses of technology. First, I would want to
make sure that my student has a foundation and previous knowledge of a topic or
subject before doing research from a computer and/or other device. For example,
hoping to become an English teacher, I would not give the writing of an essay
to a student who have not yet developed a foundation for sight words, grammar
rules, or how to format an essay, because if they do not yet know how to do it
on their own, using technology would not help them to develop an understanding
of it. It would merely do the work for them. If the student write an essay and
sees that a word is spelled wrong and chooses to let the computer choose the
“correct word” to use, the student’ attempted thought may become altered due to
the computer. And, the student will never be able to spell this word correctly.
I would also like to know how many of my students
have access to a computer because if majority of them do not, I may try to
arrange a class trip to the school’s library or other resources so that all
children will have the same material available to them. And, I would make
availavle to those who are not “tech savy” some extra help from me and/or their
classmates so that they are able to become familiar with some new resources available
to them.
In both videos, technology was mainly utilized for
communication. Myspace, ipad, phones, emails, text messaging, facebook, twitter
etc… All of these forms of technology were used as a way for students to mainly
communicate with their family and friends. It also served as a means of
expression. Students are able to create their own blogs, and/or profiles the
way that they want to. Lastly, it was utilized to find out information for
projects, homework, or just information that they found to be interesting.
However, the con of technology is that all of the
students in the videos express how they NEED technology, and depend on technology
for their everyday lives. I know that after becoming familiar with technology
so much, it is difficult to just tune it out; however, I do not find it good to
become too dependable on technology. Technology produces both some pros as well
as cons.
I chose for my top three most influential
communications technologies in my life are:
1) iphone
2) laptop
3) car
When I was younger, I was able to remember what I
needed to do, along with the birthdays and phone numbers of my family and
friends. However, now, similar to the students in the video, I NEED my phone,
or ipad, or computer to help me remember these things. I no longer can remember
or recite phone numbers. I feel that even though technology has introduced us
to a totally new way of learning, it also hinders our ability to think and to learn
on our own. I used to know all the states, all of the planets etc... but, now
it seems that I have the idea in my brain that, "there is no point in
learning information when I can always just google the answer". Then,
texting and using acronyms have hindered my ability to spell. I now have to
rethink some things that I write in order to make sure that I spelled it
correctly, and did not speak grammatically incorrectly.
