Albert Einstein once stated: “It
has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our
humanity.” Although it is true that elements of our humanity have been
replaced by technology, it is also true that in today’s world technology plays
a vital role. The three most influential
communication technologies in my life are my cell phone, computer, and
television. Just like Olivia mentions in
the video, technology is indeed “my lifeline.”
My cell phone not only keeps me in contact with family and friends, but
it also allows me to access information instantaneously through the
internet. Nowadays smartphones perform
the same functions as desktop computers and laptops, but, just like the boy
stated in the video "Learning to Change, Changing to Learn,”
have the convenience of being compact and
portable. While having a smartphone is
great, there are certain tasks I feel can be completed more effectively through
a computer, such as writing papers and researching information. Having access to the internet is like having
a library of information at your disposal.
Lastly, besides entertainment, television also caters to the instant
acquisition of information. With modern
technology, we are able to view news live and receive news updates almost
immediately.
As a future educator, it is important to know what technological
resources my students have access to and are familiar with. In Olivia’s video, when the teacher asks what
technologies students have access to, she is able to establish an open communication
with her students. Knowledge of what
resources are available to my students will dictate what assignments are
appropriate for the class. Not only is
it important to understand the relationship between my students and technology,
but it is also important to understand that technology encourages creativity, critical
thinking, hands on activities, and engages students in the learning process. This is evident not only in Olivia’s video
but also in the second video “Learning to Change, Changing to Learn.” The children are able to express their
creativity when they are designing their Myspace pages. They are also able to enhance their learning
experiences by utilizing these technological resources, as is seen with the
girl who learned Japanese over the computer.
Although there are many advantages to incorporating technology into the
classroom setting, technology should be solely used as an aid and support system. It should not be allowed to take over the
classroom, because then students lose that element of humanity and those face
to face interactions that are also essential for the learning experience. Just like the girl states in the “Learning to Change, Changing to Learn” video: “I’m a person. I’m not a
computer.”
