Technology and Society

Technology and society affect each other, whether we put forth the time and the effort to realize it or not. At times, we control how we use technology, but more than we know, technology controls us. If we take a look at social media on a large scale, technically, we get to choose how to portray ourselves (witty, professional, crazy, etc) because we are the ones posting pictures, writing bios, and posting. However, at the same time, that technology controls us because it is intentioned to be set up to keep luring us in to spend more time on the social media (thinking we can catch a glimpse of one more funny tweet or one more cute picture). In addition, social media affects us because it creates this expectation for what a person's profile is to look like or tweet is supposed to sound like. Social media knows that it can entertain us, so they keep taking measures to do so.

Now that we understand a tad more on a large scale, let us look at technology and the classroom in a more detailed manner in relation to Google docs which is used in the Westward Travel Assignment (This Westward Travel Assignment is for 8th graders after they have completed a Unit on the Oregon Trail. Check it out!). The classroom environment consistently affects how we use technology. If the teacher consistently simply asks assessment questions and requires a sentence answer, that is how the students will use google docs too, even if google docs has more tools and storage than simply that for students to expand and show creativity. If in the classroom, students barely collaborate with one another and the teacher by bouncing ideas off of one another, the sharing tool of google docs will barely be used. However, if students are used to discussing ideas and opinions in the class, they will be more likely to take advantage of google docs by collaboratively working and sharing their work and ideas with the google docs features. Technology will not change teaching; it can only enhance teaching if used in the right way. For these reasons, collaboration and analytical creativity  shall be worked toward everyday in the classroom, whether using technology or not. I believe that by building up these two traits of collaboration with other and creativity (not simply blanket answers), students will produce the best results in this Westward Travel Assignment.

In this assignment, technology also affects our classroom. Google docs will affect our classroom by having the students be technological focused. All the work will be turned in on google docs, and most of the student collaboration should be done online. Therefore, students may be more isolated focusing on their computers. Computers force our attention straight ahead because there is a physical barrier between us and other people. Hopefully the quieter volume of our students is positive, meaning that students are communicating with their partner via google docs. Google docs also affects us in using technology basically the same that we use Microsoft Word. Students most likely will not explore new ways to use google docs because we, as humans, use technologies, much like the technologies we are most comfortable with.