Week 4: PBS Flims, Watch Now Before They Are Gone Along With Big Bird

Compare and Contrast each documentary.  What has changed from the first one (Growing Up Online) made in 2008 to the newer one (Digital Nation) filmed in 2010? How did what you watched in the two videos support your feelings about technology or how did it change your views?

The two documentaries we watched this week Growing Up Online created in 2008 and Digital Nation filmed in 2010 both focus on the digital natives we have in our classrooms today. There where two quotes that I believe emphases the impact of technology in our world. The first quote came from Danah Boyd of the Harvard Berkman Center for Internet and Society who was interviewed for Growing Up Online. Boyd stated “This is a generation that sees on line not as a separate place you go but as just a sort of continuation of their existence. It's socialization. It's learning about life.” The other quote is from Douglas Rushkoff during the Digital Nation video when he said digital media “is changing what it means to be a human being by using all this stuff.” Both Boyd and Rushkoff have made the point that digital media isn’t separate from us in today's world. It is an extension of who we have become. Much of the conversation during Growing Up Online centered on concern for Internet safety and even panic over the dangers of being online. In contrast Digital Nation centered on the Internet being a way of life. It is here and we either get on board or you’ll miss the boat.  The filmed presented digital media that has replaced old ways of doing business examples being "Army Experience” replacing recruitment centers, "Second Life” virtual meeting room replacing actual face-to-face meeting when it comes to conferencing.

The videos supported my understanding of the importance of teaching digital citizenship whether we are talking about Growing Up Online or Digital Nation. The students we have today are connected to the world around them at the push of a button and it is so extremely important that they know how to function in that world safely and responsibly. 

Your thoughts on multitasking.  Do you agree?  Can you multitask?  Do you disagree with the video on the topic of multitasking?

I do not believe that multitasking is possible at the best of our ability. Yes we can multitask but that doesn’t mean we are doing the best we can do at the function we are preforming. I agree with Professor Clifford Nass from the film Digital Nation when he said virtually all multitaskers think they are brilliant at multitasking. But the reality is multitaskers are terrible at all aspects of multitasking. Nass stated, “classic psychology says that's impossible, no one can do that.”  An article titled Multitasking Doesn’t Work from Work Place Psychology supports this thought stating the people who multitask are less productive and less efficient.

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 there is technology addiction happening in society today. I think I struggle with the need to be connected to my IPhone. I find myself constantly checking email, Facebook, WMUR. Whenever a question comes to mind I jump on Google and here I go again, connected. Addiction is the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice so yes, if we are addicted to technology we should be concerned. Like any addiction people struggling with the habit or practice should seek help.

Image from thednetworks.com

 

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

I believe video games serve a purpose in education when we make learning fun, we engage students in the process. I use video games to teach nutrition in health such as Blast Off that help students understand how to load up with a balanced diet. This school year we starting a new Alternative Physical Education program, one of the unit we will teach is Exertainment with the use of Wii's and DDR’s.

Do you believe that digital tools such as Google tools can save schools that are struggling?

Can digital tools such as Google tools save a struggling school? Well, "struggling schools" is a broad topic.  I’m not sure if digital tools can save a school but they can certainly save a school money, as well as offer creative outlet for a wide range of topics. A innovative teacher can do a lot with limited resources when they have access to digital tools. 

Do parents of today have any idea what their kids are doing online?  Whose job is it to teach them the safety and digital responsibility? Parents/Teachers/Community/Government??

I think it depends on the parents whether they know what is going on with their kids online. The pace of social media moves so fast that as soon as parents are caught up it has changed again. For example, MySpace to Facebook to Twitter, it’s difficult to keep track of what’s in and what’s out. The job of teaching safety and digital responsibility to kids belongs to all people in their lives. It doesn’t just fall on one group or person. We all must take a role in the development of our students/children.

Image from Google

 

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?

Yes and Yes, but hopefully we can change that through education. Kids live in the moment and we are in a world that allows us to have intent access and feedback. They don’t always realize once online always online. What might be fun and good in a group of friends today may not reflect well when applying for a job, trying to get into school, or even developing new relationships. NPR covered a story called Don't Trip Over Your Digital Footprint which explores this same topic. 

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?  

There are real dangers to being online. I ask my students when talking about digital safety and responsibility “Do you think that there are people out there that do not have the best intention online?” Every class says yes and with that answer we talk about the best way to stay safe.  We brainstorm a list of safety tips all students should follow such as:

• Never give out personal information like your name, home address, and phone number, or school you attend.

• Tell your parents right away if you come across any information that makes you feel uncomfortable.

• Never agree to get together with someone you “meet” online without first checking with my parents. 

• Do not respond to any messages that are mean or in any way make you feel uncomfortable.

We are at an amazing place in the world of technology. Today, so many things are possible with the click of a button but as the old adage says, a mirror image of your greatest strength can often be your great weakness. This is true with technology. We must use the tools to make it our strength not our weakness.