Hello wonderful world of technology! I admit it has been way too long since I have made a post or even visited this site (guilty as charged) but in my defence, I have been too busy out living life and making memories - as well as working on my professional development (cheesy, but true!). The last few months have been crazy busy with culminating assignments and groups projects, not to mention getting ready for our second block placement. So things are finally falling into place, which causes for celebration!
While making my way through the last few weeks of classes, I was introduced to a TedTalk video by Sherry Turkle that really made me stop and think about the impact technology has had on the social growth and development of society. Has it connected us and brought us closer together, or made us less interactive with one another, causing us to be disconnected? This really hit home because as a future educator, I am constantly looking at ways to incorporate the use of technology into the classroom to engage my students and provide them with an abundance of resources. Is this doing them more harm then good?
When commenting on the impact of technology use within society, Sherry Turkle calls it the Goldilocks Effect - "not too close, not too far, just right". She believes that the use of technology has caused us to engage in socialization through the use of our digital devices - such as phones, iPods, iPads and tablets - and less through face-to-face interactions. Some may relate to this statement, and wonder why it is a problem. In my opinion, I see it as a startling realization that we should all start to consider. I believe that everything in moderation is acceptable, especially applying to technology. Do I have a cell phone? Of course. Do I use it to engage in conversations with others? Of course. Do I prefer to engage in conversation through this mode, as opposed to going out for a coffee with a friend? Of course not. For me, face-to-face interactions offer a much more meaningful and intimate experience than texting ever could. Sure, you can't use emojis or slip in an LOL, but that's what facial expressions are for, and literally laughing until your sides split on the floor (I mean, where do you think the term LOL comes from?)
Sherry Turkle also comments on the youth that are growing up in today's generation, using technology like they've been using it forever. What will this do to their social skills? How will they do in an interview? How will they get a job? How will they relate to others, and maintain friendships and relationships? Thinking about our future generations and not doing anything about this issue scares me a little, and makes me wonder what kind of future we would be creating..
So is the use of technology bringing us together, or pushing us apart? I am a strong believer that technology has provided us with an abundance of information that is available at our fingertips, allowing us to be waaaaaay more knowledgeable than ever, as well as being able to educate others in a way that was not previously available to us - but as great as I think technology is, I do think we all need to be wary of how much we use it, and how it impacts our lives. Does that mean I'm against texting and instant messaging - not at all! I do however believe that we need to limit ourselves when using technology as a source of communication, and remember to make time for the small things. Make a coffee date with your best friend instead of texting her while watching TV - take your children out on scavenger hunt in the forest to learn about the ecosystem instead of looking it up on the internet - and have a family dinner at the table, instead of eating in front of the TV. It's small things such as these that make life worth living as you share memorable moments with the ones you love. So don't be that friend or family member that misses out on those moments - be the one that creates them! Now put down that phone, and go hug someone :)
Cheers!
When commenting on the impact of technology use within society, Sherry Turkle calls it the Goldilocks Effect - "not too close, not too far, just right". She believes that the use of technology has caused us to engage in socialization through the use of our digital devices - such as phones, iPods, iPads and tablets - and less through face-to-face interactions. Some may relate to this statement, and wonder why it is a problem. In my opinion, I see it as a startling realization that we should all start to consider. I believe that everything in moderation is acceptable, especially applying to technology. Do I have a cell phone? Of course. Do I use it to engage in conversations with others? Of course. Do I prefer to engage in conversation through this mode, as opposed to going out for a coffee with a friend? Of course not. For me, face-to-face interactions offer a much more meaningful and intimate experience than texting ever could. Sure, you can't use emojis or slip in an LOL, but that's what facial expressions are for, and literally laughing until your sides split on the floor (I mean, where do you think the term LOL comes from?)
Sherry Turkle also comments on the youth that are growing up in today's generation, using technology like they've been using it forever. What will this do to their social skills? How will they do in an interview? How will they get a job? How will they relate to others, and maintain friendships and relationships? Thinking about our future generations and not doing anything about this issue scares me a little, and makes me wonder what kind of future we would be creating..
So is the use of technology bringing us together, or pushing us apart? I am a strong believer that technology has provided us with an abundance of information that is available at our fingertips, allowing us to be waaaaaay more knowledgeable than ever, as well as being able to educate others in a way that was not previously available to us - but as great as I think technology is, I do think we all need to be wary of how much we use it, and how it impacts our lives. Does that mean I'm against texting and instant messaging - not at all! I do however believe that we need to limit ourselves when using technology as a source of communication, and remember to make time for the small things. Make a coffee date with your best friend instead of texting her while watching TV - take your children out on scavenger hunt in the forest to learn about the ecosystem instead of looking it up on the internet - and have a family dinner at the table, instead of eating in front of the TV. It's small things such as these that make life worth living as you share memorable moments with the ones you love. So don't be that friend or family member that misses out on those moments - be the one that creates them! Now put down that phone, and go hug someone :)
Cheers!