Interactivity #1

As technology progresses and advances, it becomes much more available, affordable, and accessible for all people to use. However, there are still places and people that do not have everyday access to technology. As a teacher, it is important to obtain background information on the town and district I am working in. By researching socio-economic status, average income, and others, I will be able to get a sense of how accessible technology may be for my students. In addition, someone like Olivia who does not own a computer still has a very strong relationship with the use of a computer. She was able to take advantage of the opportunities provided to use a computer. It is important for me to know how much my students value the internet or other forms of technology due to the fact that it can help improve motivation. Someone like Olivia values the customizing and uniqueness of her MySpace. If I can incorporate creating a website into a lesson plan, I believe students will better appreciate the activity.

The second video had people who had much more access to technology, unlike Olivia. However, these people are able to use technology to advance learning. One person explained how playing video games is very similar to group work in school. Both require cooperation, planning, and execution. I think these people use technology to learn because it is always changing. For example, when creating a website, at any time I can change something. Whether it is adding a new picture, changing a description, or adding an effect, I am able to control and experiment different areas to customize the website to my liking. I think being able to create something that is unique to oneself is one of the easiest ways for someone to learn.

My three most influential communications technologies are texting, Facebook, and email. It is easy to see how much texting has influenced the world by just walking outside. Just around our campus everyone is looking down at their phones typing away. Even though it has become a global phenomenon and has become the easiest way for me to communicate with others, it has prevented use of verbal communication. When I was younger, if I wanted to talk to someone outside of school, I would have to call their home phone. Most of the time it would be to set up a “play date.” Today, I just have to send a text if I want to hang out with someone. Although I do not think texting has affected my social skills, I do wonder what society would be like today if cell phones were never invented.

Facebook was something that I joined simply because everyone else had one. However, once college started, it has become my resource for communication for my jobs on campus. We have a Facebook group and the executives regularly post updates to future events, meetings, and other changes in the office. Unfortunately, Facebook has also become my major distraction. It is easy to sit on Facebook and browse who has started dating who and other updates from friends and family. For this assignment alone, I unconsciously took several breaks to open Facebook.

Last but not least, email has become an important part of my life. I receive updates from things happening around campus, my jobs, and it helps me stay in touch with past teachers. Instead of sending a letter through snail mail, email has become an almost instant way of keeping in touch and updated. I do not think it has negatively impacted me at all. If anything, it has only enhanced my ways of communication.

Both videos talked about how important MySpace was as a use of technology. I did have a MySpace when I was younger, but in high school, I made the transition to Facebook. However, I did enjoy how MySpace allowed much more customization and I felt like my page was unique. Even so, both MySpace and Facebook achieve the same purpose: it is an easy and accessible way to communicate online. Some of the other technologies from the videos included video games which, although not on my list, have been influential to me. I have met several people online from all over the world that I have learned a lot from and that I do consider my friends.