Thoughts

I am trying to get my head around all the questions and concerns that the program, Digital Nation, raises about our use of technology in this century. First and foremost, I think the most astounding and crucially important aspect of our new technology is that we have instant access to knowledge, communication, and collaboration. With this ability to be constantly informed we are,therefore, always questioning and thinking. What could be better for our brains and well-being than this? What a luxury - we have made it so easy to be a life-long learner! As educators how could we be anything but jubilant about this? Teaching and inspiring students to be life-long learners has never been easier!

Are the concerns we have about new ways of "living" any different than they have been in the past when new "items" have been introduced? We almost always feel safe with what we know and are skeptical about things that are new. Does that mean they are bad or that we can't handle them? No, we grow and adjust and then wonder how we ever lived without them. Would you get rid of the internet, your blackberry, your DVD player, cellphone, kindle, ipod, email?

We used to worry (and still do)that children spend too much time watching tv, going to the mall, playing video games,etc. Some choose to limit these activities, but most don't completely stop these actions. That is because we know they are our new reality, and in real life we have to learn to cope with what is out there, not be quick to dismiss it just because it is new territory. We have no idea yet about the benefits of technology and exposing the next generation to it. But, it is already here to stay so, instead, I think we should be thinking about how it can benefit us as a society. When watching a documentary such as Digital Nation it is interesting to note how technology might be changing the lives of our children in unsettling ways, but let's not forget all the benefits the next generation is reaping from from it. Would you be looking up historical facts about the American Revolution, watching a video demonstrating the use of historic firearms, characterizing the traits of famous generals, looking at primary sources, and sharing your thoughts with other students in classrooms across the globe about the freedom of religion and the ideas discussed among the Second Continental Congress - in the third grade?! Would you even feel confident enough, and important enough, to think that anyone else would care about your opinions at that age? I think our kids have such an incredible advantage and I can only dream about the possibilities of the lives they will lead and the jobs they will have in the years to come thanks to our technological advances.

So, you ask, what about the kids who spend soooo much time with these devices twittering, facebooking, chatting, listening to music, watching videos, playing games, etc.? Should we be worried about that? Sure. All I am saying is that we should also be looking at the positive aspects of all of this. As educators we need to find ways to use this technology to "produce" smarter and more informed thinkers and doers who actively and productively participate in our inter-connected society. Both our students and the technology available to them are here to stay - let's work to find ways to take advantage of it, not ban it out of fear of the unknown. Remember that GOOGLE was once the unknown.