Rethinking Chapter 9

Rethinking Technology Chapter 9 | What does it all mean?
The chapter begins with the quote, “The future is already here, it’s just unevenly distributed.” – William Gibson. I think this is a great way to think about technology because many feel uneasy about the big changes that we will face “converting” to technology. The conversion has already happened, just not everywhere. Tech enthusiasts need to step up and help others to update their systems. The technology herd is only as strong as its weakest link. When I thought about the quote I came up with a good way to relate. When a chocolate chip pancake has all of the chips condensed in one spot, the rest of the pancake is still a chocolate chip pancake.
For the first time children are becoming more knowledgeable than their parents involving a tool important to society as a whole. They are really smart with in navigating through society’s technological way of life.
There has been a lot of research done about whether or not video games have positive or adverse affects on children. Some feel that video games are a waste of time and actually spoil their educational skills. Other reports show that videogames have immensely helped them to develop their ability to process information and solve problems in an imaginary digital world. Could this help them later on in their lives due to the fact that the internet is an imaginary digital world? It is possible that tomorrow’s work world is being shaped by the gaming world of today. Students interests can often be linked to online communities and online communities are often used by businesses and employers. It is not imperative for students to play video games to receive experience in participating in digital communities, but it is one way to do it. Many of the video games are available with online interaction with other gamers.
The way students practice their reading skills has changed faces. I do not think they read many hard copy books as they did before but they do still read. It is amazing how much information is processed through reading when you consider text messages, emails, blogs, instant messaging, facebook, and other everyday digital tools.
Peer culture and population culture are changing, but are they changing for better or worse? Advertisers have been able to rake in on this group of teen age consumers. Many of the appealing products they offer can be very distracting to a teenager’s education. Some teachers and parents are trying to avoid this. Changing the current way that young students identify themselves, and with others, might be a good thing.
Traditional schools may resist the technological transformation but they will have to compete with the new types of technology driven schools. The government is very attracted to giving funding to the new type of schools. Enthusiasts may be sad to see a lack of giant changes and innovations. What they really should focus on, and be happy for, is how many opportunities that are available to improve existing structures in current school systems.