Digital Realities can be Scary! Prepare our Students for Success.

Technology change

Thinking back to how technology has enhanced even since I was born in the early 90s’, HAS TRANSFORMED IMMENSLY! From dial up internet that I had to struggle with the annoying sound and hoping, nobody would need the phone in the next hour, or I would get disconnected. My parents also made it seem like it cost a future and I could never be online. (Not sure, if that was true or if that is just what they said).

To now having the fastest internet connections around with everything from streaming live sporting events, gaming, music downloading, apps, many social media interaction accounts and having access to whatever we need at the tips of our fingers!

Wesch, in his youtube video, An Anthropological Introduction to YouTube (Full video) shares the Numa Numa dance that went viral and also how Soulja Boy landed a record deal when they produced and published their own video that went viral. I fully participated in the Soulja Boy dances at many outings throughout my high school years. We discussed in our lecture in EDTC300 of how the Numa Numa video went viral, but in a positive way. Wesch, shares with us how much content YouTube shares everyday and that it is new and original content. He also talks about how having access to this digital world we are able to shares new forms of expression, community and identity.

Realities

Honestly, thinking about the accessibility that students have to technology and social media accounts makes me fearful for the environment my students will be living in. I know that the experienced educators in our EDTC300 class said they are already dealing with social media (Snapchat was named specifically) as causing problems in the day-to-day interactions of their students. We talked in lecture how platforms were holding back “likes” on peoples accounts (Instagram) because they new how often they checked and were anticipating their friends, family or strangers to “like” their post/content. That simple click of a button to send a “like” can spark a student’s mental and emotional response positively or it could have negative affect on them, if they are not receiving those daily web affirmations.

Growing up, the internet was scary or bad and our parents and teachers made it intimidating. Now we need to teach our students the positives of building an online network, and what is safe and good or what can be harmful to them. The fact is, the internet and technology are not going anywhere, instead it is growing and the participation of all people is increasing, it will be in our classrooms and schools and we need to prepare our students for it. Almost everyone has a digital footprint whether they are aware of it or not. We discussed in our lecture that parents are posting pictures of babies in utero and that is the beginning of their digital footprint.

Let us make good use out of technology!

We are living in a world currently that without technology it would seem the world would stop. Online schooling, face timing to see loved ones, streaming weddings or graduations or major life moments. These are all new realities of technology that we have incorporated for the greater good. I know I downloaded the “house party” app, so we could visit with multiple friends and family and play games. We actually set up virtual date nights with our group of friends so we could still have that human interaction although it was via online.

The challenge I foresee in the classroom will be with students being inappropriate with the use of technology. Technology can be very dangerous to people’s self-worth and wellbeing. Cyber bullying is something that all teachers will have to be aware of and eye on in their classroom, but it also extends outside of the classroom and it seems to always land on the school. We need to show students the positives like the “numa numa” video instead of it being hateful. Digital reality is on the rise and we need to prepare for it!

That is all for now,

Miss Blenkin