Communications technologies are something each and every one of us use in our daily lives. Often we take these things for granted; never realizing the benefits or drawbacks it offers. Because of the large variety of communications technologies I use ever day, coming up with the three that most influenced my life was a small challenge. Eventually I came to the conclusion that my smart phone, laptop and webcam have seriously changed the way I learn new information. Before I owned any of these items obtaining new information was not as easy or as effective.
A smart phone is a device that pieces together several different types of communications technologies and makes them easily accessible all in one place. Here I can access my email, answer my phone calls, check the weather and even quickly google the answer to a question using the internet application. All of these things make communicating and learning new information effortless. I never leave my house without my phone and, honestly, when I do I feel anxious. This is where I feel my phone has shaped me negatively. Having all of the information at my fingertips is great, but the second I do not have it, I feel uncomfortable. Likewise, being able to find the answer to every question I have hinders me from strengthening my own problem solving skills.
Much like a smart phone, my laptop provides me with several different ways to access and use information. While it is not as mobile as a phone, it is still accessible very often. Being able to use instant messaging and email is a serious help when trying to communicate to several people at once. I use my laptop to access Skype and Facebook Messenger when trying to work on group projects for school and work. It is quicker than calling each person in the group or trying to find a time and day that works for everyone to meet. It has made projects like this much more innovative by allowing us to use programs like PowerPoint to convey the information. However, my laptop also poses a great distraction from the real world and my responsibilities. Often times, even when I know I have a lot of work to do, I choose to talk to my friends on social networking or play solitaire through the app on my desktop.
Although a webcam is not something I use to find scholarly information, it has become a way for me to find out social information through my friends. I can keep in touch with friends who go to school hours away and talk with them face to face even though we aren’t in the same place. It really helps keep relationships that would normally deteriorate, strong and healthy. On the opposite side of the spectrum, webcams have become a negative topic. Instead of using them for social interaction, people are using them to record others and use it against them. Thankfully I have never encountered this myself, however, it still concerns me and worries me.
When watching the video I noticed that all of the technology used by the young people speaking were used for not only informational purposes but for the purpose of entertainment. I also use my technology not only because it is useful but because I enjoy it. It is much easier to learn new information when it is coming from something you enjoy.
I had the same difficulty coming up with the three technologies that have influenced my life thus far as well. My technologies, however, were a little different then yours. I also share the same anxiety when I do not have my smart phone with me at all times. You bring up a great point when you say that although having all the answers at our fingertips is great, it takes away from strengthening our own problem solving skills. I agree with that 100%. In the past, people used to have to go out and find the answers to their questions elsewhere, which was time consuming. Nowadays, people simply go on the internet and have the answer in seconds or minutes. In a way, this takes away from the fun of digging around for the answer. You also bring up a good point when you mention how your laptop helps a great deal with group projects. I never thought to use Skype of Facebook Messenger to work on group projects. After reading your paragraph about that, I can definitely take that idea the next time I have a group project. I share the same concerns about the webcam situation. I think it is a great tool to help keep in touch with friends and family, but it can also be used negatively to harm others.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your point about the smart phones. I, too, feel a little strange and definitely anxious without my iPhone. I worry that something huge might happen and I won't be connected with the world when it does, and I also agree with the idea that being constantly connected is a negative thing. Our generation is the first generation to have really grown up with the smart phones- we were old enough when they came out to understand what they were all about, and have really grown with their development. We know what they are capable of, and our experience and knowledge is simply a result of our reliance on them.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I know that anxious feeling when you leave your phone at home all too well. We're so used to being constantly connected that when we aren't we feel powerless. However, sometimes it's nice when my phone is dead and I feel "unplugged".
ReplyDeleteI also thought it was really unique and interesting that your webcam is one of your most influential technologies. Recently, webcams have gotten a bad reputation, but the way that you use yours to maintain relationships with people who are miles away is what they are meant for! Usually webcams are used for social purposes, however they can also be used as educational tools. I know a professor who proctors online tests with webcams.
Loved your post!
-Julie
I totally agree with this post and the comments above. Whenever I lose or do not have my phone I have this huge anxiety that I am going to miss something. I do agree that it is easier to learn new information when it is coming from something you enjoy. It has also made group projects (and life) so much easier when using programs like Skype and iChat, rather than having to take extra time from our busy lives to meet. It's so funny that a laptop is supposed to be used for productive work, but we so often get sidetracked and instead use it as a way to distract ourselves.
ReplyDelete