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Questions
for Thought:
1. Compare and Contrast each documentary. What
was similar or different from the first one (Growing Up Online) made in 2008 to
the newer one (Digital Nation) filmed in 2010 ?
Growing Up Online and Digital Nation were both documentaries
about technology and the youngest generation but I could see some pretty large
differences between the two. Growing Up Online focused a lot on the negative
connotation of the internet and technology. It focused a lot on how the kids
using these technologies are secluding themselves and are no longer interacting
face to face as much. In Digital Nation, however, there was a large focus on
how people are connecting through shared interests like gaming. People who
would have never met in real life meet at gaming conferences, some even develop
relationships and get married!
2. Your thoughts on multitasking. Do you agree? Can
you multitask? Do you disagree with the video on the topic of
multitasking? What do you think our students think about multitasking today?
Digital Nation brought up some interesting points about
multitasking. I was very interested when the producers visited MIT, one of the
top colleges in the country, to see their research and take on the subject. I
thought since the students who were tested were some of the brightest students
in the country they would be phenomenal multitaskers but was shocked to see
they weren’t that good and were missing out on class instruction while
multitasking. Before seeing this film, I believed I was a efficient digital
multitasker but since watching it I realized I’m more like the student who says
when he writes a paper, its more or less in chunks rather than big picture. I
believe the idea of multitasking needs to be presented to our students but they
need to see the research that your grades may reflect your strong or weak
concentration on a project or paper.
3. Is there an addiction happening in society today with
technology or is it just a new way of living? Should we be
concerned?
I feel uneasy about answering this question one way or the
other. I do feel like people are addicted to some form of technology nowadays
but it is our responsibility as teachers to show our students a healthy
balances of screen time and face time. My cooperating teacher now assigns my
students a half hour of time outside everyday after school (weather permitting)
along with their other assignments. Even if they all don’t do it every day at
least they know it is expected and important to their everyday life.
4. Do video games serve a purpose in education or are they a
waste of time?
I found the school in New York, Quest to Learn, based on an
interesting principle; students can learn all academics through gaming. I do
understand and enjoy the idea that educators have found exactly what students
love (technology) but find it difficult to understand how all subjects can be
taught through gaming. Also, what about social interaction? Yes, I believe the
school talked about the students working together but I for my own classroom I
want my students to work on other collaborative projects other than
technological games.
5. Do you believe that digital tools, such as google tools and
technology in general can save schools that are struggling?
I do believe that if struggling schools could get their
hands on technology for their students then, yes, it could help save the
school. Many times though, the schools that are struggling are less financially
fortunate and cannot afford technology and thus the cycle of poverty continues.
If struggling schools could have computers, iPads, or netbooks donated then the
students could level their own playing field.
6. How did what you watched in the two videos support your
feelings about technology or how did it change your views?
There were
many different parts of each video that I found interesting but I’d like to
focus on just a few. I do worry about students and how safe they are on the
internet. Growing Up Online focused heavily on the downside of technology. It
was hard not to become scared of children’s use of the internet. Jessica told
her story about her alter ego that she created and her parents had no idea.
Ryan ended up taking his own life because of bullying. I do feel, though, as
educators it is our responsibility to teach our students how to stay safe
online. Also, parents need to help and become digital captains at home too. I
really like how Digital Nation really showed both sides of the increase of
technology in our children’s lives. I didn’t realize how heavily dependent students
are on technology all day long. I use to go to school then go home and play
outside. Not the case anymore.
7. Are kids and adults today ruining their digital footprints by
sharing too much information online without realizing that it may be detrimental
to their future? Should they care?
Absolutely. I really do not understand why people feel the
need to share everything about their life online. One of my best friends is on
the interview team at my school and she has been asked point blank about interviewees
Facebook pages. Even though the principal cannot access their accounts, my
friend happened to have mutual friends with a few of the candidates and could
see more than I’m sure they wanted. If our students want to get into college,
they better know about privacy settings, or better yet just not share as much
online.
8.“Stranger Danger” and predator fears are often overblown by the media
on shows such as Datelines “To Catch a Predator”. What are the real
dangers of technology in this day and age?
One real danger of technology, which was brought up in
Digital Nation, is students’ attention span. I feel that kids now cannot withstand
sitting and doing work or listening to a story or lecture for very long.
Teachers need to be more like entertainers to keep the focus of the class.
Another danger to technology is cyberbullying. Many parents before thought
their children could get hunted down by a creepy adult. Even though it does
happen, the more common assault on children is coming from people they know.
Cyberbullying is now a part of child and adolescent life and we as parents and
educators need to help our children defend themselves by stopping, not
responding, and tell an adult they trust.
Overall Reflection:
Please add anything else you feel would explain your views about the videos and
how they relate to educational technology. What was your favorite part of
either video? Why? Most interesting?
I really enjoyed they the producer, Rachel Dretzin, related
her own life to what is going on in technology now. She isn’t just writing and
talking about the world but also how it is effecting her and her family.
