Technology can do two things, help us learn and distracts us from our daily lives.
Us human beings are all very busy people. We have work, school, errands, and sleep. We should be doing what we need to do, but instead were worried about what we are missing out on with social media websites like Facebook, twitter, Instagram, etc. There is always time later to get updated on what is going on away from where we are. This distracts us from doing what we need to do presently. Don't lie, we all do it. We get in trouble at both work and school by using technology.
However, technology does not only distract us. If we are using it for learning purposes it can actually help us tremendously. A lot of the classwork/homework in school comes off websites that teachers either created or got instructed to use from the school. Technology has gotten better and better at helping us learn. Believe it or not, news websites really teach you a lot about what is going on around us. The weather is useful at preparing us on what to wear or where to go/what do to. Current events are put on the news to educate society on both the good and bad things happening. The radio, television, internet and telephone are all terrific methods of communication.
Some people who have special needs or are disabled in a certain way need assistive technology to help them with their daily lives. Ipads have programs and apps that help with education purposes. Electronic Wheelchairs are a huge piece of technology that benefits someone who cannot walk. People who cannot express what they need can use technology with pictures and buttons to show it.
You are right about assistive technology. I too am drawn to the possibilities of using tablets to help every student succeed.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is a tool. We do "the doing." So it is up to us in our busy lives to make sure we are present in the both the task and the social circles at hand. Muli-tasking is a myth if all you are doing is trying to stay updated.