Is it good or bad to be so connected? Digital Nation does not necessarily answer the question about whether or not it is good that the next generation of learners and leaders are so connected. However, the video did present both positives and negatives to our worlds ever growing connectedness.
First, I think that there are many great uses for technology in school, which is what needs to be harnessed to make sure that these connected learners are being engaged and prepared for future jobs. I was excited to see the journalist's son using Edublog at such a young age as I though that I was doing a good job with the use of blogs in my class. He already knows how to blog and navigate around the site to complete homework assignments. This is an example that proves the point that students need to have access and utilize technology in their classes.
Digital Nation also showed how the teacher from New York was using the social network sight Ning to create an interactive learning environment for her students when reading and teaching To Kill a Mockingbird. What a great way to engage students in the book, which helping them to understand the viewpoint or each character.
Also, the use of technology, along with consistent administration, at another New York school was the key to helping students turn around and increase attendance and achievement. With a great deal of fear that surrounds how to use the internet and technology in the class, the principal of the school showed that using technology is a learning experience and the laptops are patrolled to ensure that students are staying on task. I believe that whether or not students are using technology there are going to be distractions and that even though there are distractions with technology the entire network cannot be eliminated.
There were many other positive uses of technology that were discussed in Digital Nation and some of them I never considered. The first use was that presented by IBM and having virtual office meetings with individual avatars for each member. I though that it was a fantastic way to communicate and save money. Second, the use of technology to help treat veterans with PTSD. Finally, I think that my view on social relationships changed a little bit after learning about the relationships developed through gaming. However, I still have some reservations into the depth of the relationships, but I am open to more understanding.
With all of the great uses of technology, Digital Nation presented some of the negative sides to technology. Are students and the future leaders too connected? Are they too distracted? Is their multi-tasking beneficial or are they becoming confidently mediocre. The UCLA study into multi-tasking was an eye opener into the reality of multi-tasking. The researchers found that the multi-taskers were significantly slower, were slower thinkers, and were "terrible at every aspect of multi-tasking. Despite the results of the study, many of the study believed that they were proficient at multi-taskering. I have to admit that as I become more aware and in tune with different types of technology, I feel that I need to be multi-tasking more and more in order to keep up with...well nothing. I think that because I have all of these tools that I need to be constantly checking them. Is this an efficient use of technology?
Another "side effect" of technology was see in the South Korean PC Bons and was evident in the addiction of Yung Il. I believe that more and more students are facing addiction because of the rewards inherent in the games and lack of breaks from gaming. However, I thought that it was fantastic that the school in South Korea focused on internet safety and etiquette before learning how to use the technology.
Overall, there are many positives to technology, however there are some potential hazards and consequences.
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