"Oops!... Tech Did It Again!"
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As I left our technology class I felt a warm buzz of
excitement fall over me. Technology continues to shape the environment we
live in. It lures us into a realm of intrigue, excitement, and insight all in a moment of exhalation. It is a powerful tool that has undeniably
shaped the way that we connect with one another and exchange information.
As I reflected on the classroom experience and the role that technology
plays, I couldn't help but laugh when I somehow made the association with technology and the lyrics from Britney Spears song. I'm sure that most of you are familiar with the catchy chorus, "Cause to lose all my senses. That
is so typically me. Oh baby, baby. Oops!...Tech did it again. ...played with your heart, got lost in the game. Oh baby, baby.
Oops!.. You think I'm in love. That I'm sent from above. I'm
not that innocent." As corny as it may sound I think that this particular song came to mind because technology can be that powerful. The impact that technology has had on each and every one of us is simply undeniable. Technology engages us. It excites us. It baffles us. It connects
us. Its power to launch us to new levels is invigorating! Used responsibly, I believe it can promote children to academically progress and achieve. As Ed Murphy stated in Bridging the gap between technology integration and common core standards in the classroom, "The pervasiveness of technology is not a threat to young minds across America or a death sentence to education as we know it--in fact, it's quite the opposite. In today's increasingly digital age, technology integration in the classroom is perhaps the best way to engage students and utilize a wealth of tools and resources, while making learning fun."
Supporting this school of thought, let's consider for a moment this video featuring real life teachers and students in a classroom sharing their experience with technology integration.
I recall taking a media criticism class in my undergrad
program for my degree in Communications. I vividly recall analyzing the
media and how it shapes our culture. There are precise messages that are
constructed in such a way to connect with us on a subconscious and conscious
level. My professor said, "Companies spend millions of dollars to
make a 30sec-1 minute commercial?!... You better believe that they know what
their doing and why." Point being is that technology has a way of engaging
us and beckoning us to react like nothing else. Nowadays, the focus has
shifted from commercials to social media. Astounding statistics
have proven to just what extent technology has influenced this generation. According to a
statistical report on Youtube, The Social Media Revolution
2014,
"We
don't have a choice on whether we DO social media, the question is how well we
do it."--Erik Qualman. Instead of being afraid of this medium, why not harness its power to create an environment that inspires children to learn about science, math, reading, etc.?
Keeping in mind the clear impact that technology has made on our society and the undeniable statistics
staring us straight in the face, I think that it is time to embrace all that
technology has to offer. We should empower ourselves, as educators, by letting
technology into our classrooms--Get out of the way while it unleashes the creativity, collaboration, and connection amongst our learners!
