Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Reflection #4: Digital Nation

What:
My friend Tiffany mentioned that she watched a documentary in one of her classes on technology and society. It told her I was interested to see it myself and she sent me the link so that I could watch the part that specifically focused on technology in education.


This documentary is very interesting and focused in on technology and how it is affecting society from school to relationships. I only was able to watch a few sections of it, however I really think that the whole thing is worthwhile to watch. This is a crazy eye opening film that really causes me to think "what is technology doing to change society?" and " what is the future going to look like because of it?"

The part specifically on education mentions that some schools have switched over to using computers as the main educational tool. It was interesting to see the different perspectives on technology and eduction. Teachers at the primary and secondary level regard technology as a necessary tool to draw students in. Many teachers mentioned the need to "meet students where they are at" and " prepare them for the future." However, on a university level the perspective is much different. Professors at MIT especially mentioned that students are being " fooled into thinking that multi-tasking is benefiting their education." I am having a hard time figuring out if this is really true or if this is just skepticism of change.

So what:
I think that this documentary causes me to think about technology and to weigh both the benefits and problems that technology brings to society. It is important to set boundaries for oneself and to use technology as a tool, but also to keep it from running your life or taking over important things such as hands on experience, and real face to face relationships. I think that this is a precautionary tale of the problems our children may face in the future as well as the type of world they will live and grow up in.

Now What:
As a future teacher, I plan to look more into the affects of technology on children. I think that it is helpful that I can observe technology in the classroom now in order to develop my own opinion on what I think works well and doesn't work well. Also, I think I am once again reminded that children today are growing up as digital natives and understand technology in ways that I never will. This film causes me to strive to learn more about technology and also the set boundaries for myself and my future students about the balance between technology and real life.

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