We are Living in a Digital World and I am a Digital Girl...Or Digital Darwinism (Or Week 5)

For those of you who aren't in my Edu 533 class this term, and are reading this blog (sooooo, all maybe 5 of you, and that is being generous, I am sure), this week we watched two fairly long documentaries on growing up and living in a digital world: Generation Like and Digital Nation. I instantly started thinking this should have been a Boy Meets World episode in the 90s. 

Corey and Topanga FOREVER!

But, I digress....after watching the documentaries, I now have to answer some questions; seven, if you want to get technical. So, here I go, off to the races....once I look through a few more Boy Meets World gifs!

1.  Compare and Contrast each documentary.  What was similar or different from the first one Digital Nation filmed in 2010 to Generation Like filmed in 2014 ?  

Both documentaries addressed technology, but I feel like even in the last three years, the concerns over technology have changed. They both had these undertones of negativity. They were not talking about positives as much as I feel they should have. What about the progress that technology brings? And they talked a lot about over-stimulation due to the digital age. But, I just don't see what is inherently wrong with teachers having to work harder to engage their students. That is a minimum in my mind. You work to engage them. Sometimes it is hard, sure. But, you still have to do it.

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?

I adamantly want to disagree with Digital Nation on the effectiveness of multi-tasking. I really do. But, I can't. I am the queen of multi-tasking. I do it all the time. I am doing it right now. In my mind, I am a pro. I accomplish everything with ease. But, in actuality, I know, I am just taking twice as long to do what I need to do. I think students think the same way I do, and I completely understand why. We feel like we could give lessons on multi-tasking. Stand on one foot, juggled our smart phones, and also write our blog posts with your toes? No problem; watch a master! Sadly, that is just not the case. I mean, I know I would think I was doing great, until I broke my cell phone screen, fell on my butt, and then finished my blog post six hours later after watching a few back episodes of True Blood. (I totally did not do that, by the way. I only watched one episode, not three). I don't think that the act of multi-tasking is "dumbing down" anyone though, as it was said in Digital Nation. I do think it is making life more of a challenge in some aspects, but, it isn't that they are not intelligent, they are just not making proper use of their time. It doesn't mean they are "dumb". I should also clarify: I despise that word. The second I heard it, I was instantly turned off from what was being said. Behold the power of word choice!

She knows what she is talking about: she is lounging, which means she did what she needed to do.

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 think it is both. I think some people have addictive personalities, and take things too far. It is the way life is unfortunately. People can't set limits for themselves sometimes. Technology is being integrated into our lives, and it is replacing many things. Does it create a disconnect sometimes? Most definitely yes. In Digital Nations, it mentions a family, "all in the same house, but just in other worlds." But, there are things we have to work with in life, and making sure we spend time together is a trial sometimes. no matter what. It all comes down to digital citizenship to me. Set rules for yourself and your children. Try your hardest to adhere to them. Find out what works for you and yours. It doesn't mean we should be crying from the rooftops that technology is addictive to everyone and we should start banning things. It just is not practical.

4.  Do video games serve a purpose in education or are they a waste of time?

I think to say anything is a waste of time in education is short-sighted. Period. Things evolve in our world constantly. So to rule something out as useless is idiotic to me. I think they are art, and some students are extremely passionate about them: playing them, creating them, talking about them. It is not a waste of time. I play video games, I don't hide that. I think some video games are being created to specifically aid teachers in the classroom. I believe as a whole they also teach critical thinking and problem solving skills. And the concepts they provide can be used in education. Ben Bertolli turned his entire classroom into an MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) and had fantastic results!

A little Claptrap dubstep from Borderlands 2

5.  How did what you watched in the two videos support your feelings about technology or how did it change your views?

I think the videos broached some interesting subjects, especially about digital footprints and how we have become both the consumers and the promoters of goods. Part of me knew about the way my "liking" something was being used for this purpose. I mean, I would have to be blind to not notice the obviously "tailored" advertisements on Facebook. No Facebook, I am not looking for love, I am all set in that department. Thanks for your concern though. I will be sure to check out <insert dating site here>....never. I found some things extremely disturbing in both for different reasons. They were jarring, yet reaffirming at the same time.

6.  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?  Are they focused on too much of what others think?

I think people have been ruining their digital footprint in certain ways. Teenagers especially just post whatever they want, because hey, they are in high school, who care anyways? Right? But, these things persist past high school. When something is put online it is never truly gone. Sometimes people don't realize what they are posting about is going to affect them. I have done somethings I should not have. Probably said a curse word or two that might reflect poorly on me. I usually just say it is me, and who cares what other's think? But, in reality, what you say on the Internet can haunt you later in your professional career or just in interactions with other. But, this is all about digital citizenship. It is part of why we learn to use technology. And everyone makes mistakes in life. It is about growing as a person, and the same pertains with your digital identity.

7.  What do you feel are the dangers of technology use?  Are there any?

There are dangers with everything. It is dangerous when I drive my care, when I walk into a building, when I go for a walk on the beach. Technology has it's own. There are predators: you are interacting with human beings, just like in the physical world. People are not always good. It is a sad but all to real truth. Technology can enable us. It can cause us to rely on it instead of ourselves or each other. I am persistently guilty of using my GPS....ALL THE TIME. It is like a crutch. It keeps me from learning sometimes. I know this, so, occasionally, I force myself to put it down and just follow my instincts. 

Not only is freeing myself from technology refreshing, but, it liberating. Sometimes, it just feels good to put the smart phone down, and appreciate the things around us. We as a society need to make sure we find that balance: as a whole and individually. The documentaries were interesting to me, and they opened up new ideas and concepts for me. Occasionally I felt frustrated, but, overall, I think it is something worth viewing- regardless of your technological savvy.