Convergence

How AMAZING is technology?  I love it! Recently a video came into my hands that shows the impact of technology in our lives.  Who would have ever thought there were 2 million television in bathrooms, or that our cell phones will soon be the major way to connect to the internet?  I would like to encourage you to watch the video on your own, but suffice it to say, this video shows the true dramatic changes we as Americans have made with technology.  Some examples include changing from print to computers, using cell phones, televisions, and the internet network.

In the past I may have come off as anti-technology, but I'm not.  I actually believe technology could be one of the best things for the human race.  This article reflects my views fairly accurately.  Technology can be great for visualization and understanding and making connections in education.  However, there can be overdraw too, and we have to find that delicate balance that helps work with the convergence of technology in the classroom.

Technology is not just in the classroom, but also in our lives, making life easier and helping to not waste time.  However, technology is not all great and all problem fixing.  This next video is done by CBS and talks about some of the less positive parts of technology.  If you don't watch all of it, fast forward to 3.22 and 3.30.  This looks at technology problems in the workplace and with children.  Employers are having problems with misuse of technology in the workplace and children are having more problems with connecting to people.

Now I'm not saying kill technology, lets go back to the spear and fire pits.  All I'm saying is everything is fine as long as its in moderation.  If anything is done in excess, its bad.  Technology can be great, but we have to use it in smaller amounts.  We also have to begin to urge our children and next generation to get a little more away from technology.  Furthermore, factoring in the convergence of technology, we have to look at the ethical problems we are now faced with.  For instance, is it really good for kids to only be able to do math on a calculator for instance?  On one hand, doing the math on a calculator gets it done, most of the time very efficiently.  However, is math a skill that should be memorized for the sake of memorization?