Technology In My Daily Life
The use of technology has always been a part of my life. It begins with my morning alarm set on my phone and continues throughout the day. Technology is rapidly evolving, with our world becoming more seamlessly connected every passing day. We can never think of a day without being dependent on Technology as we are all surrounded by it. Like many other individuals, my life is also vulnerable to it in many ways.
Social Platforms and Entertainment
Social media and technology have evolved tremendously over the past. There was a time when phones were used to make and receive calls. Now we have all the world in our hands, just with a smartphone. Social media is the one thing that’s widely used by me in my daily routine, keeping up with family and friends via WhatsApp and Skype calls that make me feel close to them, watching videos on YouTube to get away with the boredom, and following fashion and lifestyle trends on Instagram and Pinterest. I also sometimes use Twitter and Facebook to get updated with world news. Social media is something I spend most of my time on when I am not working.
I love shopping online and the websites like Amazon, eBay, and Shein help me to get all the things at my doorsteps. It is such a time saver for me. CamScanner is an all-time favorite app for me to keep all my important documents handy. I use Notepad on my phone to write all the important details. The banking experience has also become so easy, thanks to online and net banking. Transferring money to my family and paying off my phone and electricity bills online is so convenient.
The entertainment industry has also seen a paradigm shift due to technology. From Virtual Reality to the Gaming experience, everything has evolved. I loved playing on my cousin’s PS5 back there in India, whenever I got the chance to. I love listening to soft music. There was a time we bought CDs and cassettes to listen to music. Now I can easily stream music with the help of technological progression. While getting ready in the morning, or traveling to work, I listen to old Hindi songs. Binge-watching on Netflix or Amazon Prime is one of my favorite things to do to get me away from boredom.
Health & Fitness
Being dependent on Technology has brought up a lot of health issues as well, but then the solutions are also given. I use my smartwatch daily to keep in check my daily steps, heart rate, sleep, and blood oxygen level. I see the daily weather forecast before stepping out of my house, which is much needed in Canada as weather can ditch you anytime. Not just this the watch updates me on my menstrual cycle as well. All in just a band on my wrist, along with telling time of course. I do sometimes use an application on my phone, HealthifyMe to keep a count on my calorie intake.
Teaching and Learning
There was a widely held notion that Technology will revolutionize the field of education and we have all experienced that at the time of the pandemic. I always wanted to be an educator and being around kids makes me feel comfortable and lively. However, the pandemic has demonstrated why online education should be a vital part of teaching-learning. The school was all shut and the only way to carry on was an online platform. Initially, it was a struggle for me, but eventually, I got along with it. The major problem I faced was how to bring my Blackboard online? Being a teacher of a practical subject like Maths, I couldn’t put everything in just one presentation and present it. I tried on various platforms till I got my hands on my Tablet, which made it quite easy for me to write with a pen and felt just like a blackboard.
I use Google Meet to get connected to my students for taking an online class. To keep them engaged, I use Google Jam board to take down all their ideas in one place. A learning platform like Kahoot is a good resource to make game-based fun quizzes. I use PowerPoint presentations to make my classroom interactive and interesting by including short videos and GIFs in it. I use various other extensions like Dualless, screen recorder, Google Forms etcetera that helps make the online teaching-learning process better.
There’s no doubt that technology has changed our world forever. In good ways by providing a more civilized, free, and connected world where everything is just a click away and thus making our life comfortable and easier. The other side is, that we have become so dependent on it. Artificial Intelligence and Robotics are taking over the world, resulting in fewer job opportunities. The question remains still. We do want technology in our lives, But to what extent? Where to stop? This is still unanswered and debatable.
Hi Sushmeet, a very thoughtful post. I have been taking a sabbatical from social media since January 1, 2022, even though I continue to teach online. Your post, however, made me consider how much I still rely on the online world in my daily life. From the menstrual tracking app to an effortless banking system, I am still so dependent on technology. It’s exactly like you asked at the end of your post: “We do want technology in our lives, But to what extent? Where to stop?” Again, you are right, it seems unanswerable, and I think it must be a very personal decision. I know I am much happier without Instagram and Facebook, but I refuse to give up the idea I find on Pinterest or my Google News. There seem to be harsh growing pains as everyone struggles to decide how much technology they want in their lives. As an aside, your online class looks amazing and very…FULL…they are fortunate to have you!
Thank you for the comment Kimberly.
I do agree it’s a personal decision to make and one should be very wise in using the technology in their daily life, so as not to get addicted to it. The same thing happens to me with Instagram, I keep watching useless reels and then remember, Ohh! I got a blog to write. 😉
But I do feel life was easy and simple without it.
I love the phrase, “taking a sabbatical from social media’. During the thick of the pandemic, I too found myself taking a leave from social media. Between the curated content, rants about mask wearing, and so much more, I needed a break from it all (even though I am pretty much a social media outsdier to begin with). I slowly began integrating it back into my daily life, but with a different purpose. I am Facebook illiterate, but use the STCO group (or whatever accronym it is) to check if certain products are in. But yes, I too depend on technology wholeheartedly.
This was a very thoughtful post. I agree that technology is everywhere, and it has brought so many positive changes to society. But I also agree that we need to stop and consider…to what extent? At what point have we become too dependent? Will we one day make a conscious effort to take a step back?
I know that in my life, I rely on technology. It keeps me more connected to friends and family. It allows me access to up-to-date current events. I allows my to redefine learning experiences for my students and provide opportunities for each students to represent their learning in a way that best meets their needs. However, I also know that in my personal life, I am too quick to check my phone or sit down to play a mindless game of Candy Crush. I need to force myself to put my phone away and enjoy the world and people around me. It is great to be connected, but we also need to find time to disconnect.
Hey Jennifer, Thanks for your comment.
I do believe that a step back is what we need. But with the world moving so fast, I doubt we will ever get the chance for that. And yeah, Candy Crush is a mindless game but is such an addiction., it was tough for me to stop playing that. Being with people around us and enjoying their physical presence is a must, that’s the only thing that will stop us from being robots.
I love the phrase, “taking a sabbatical from social media’. During the thick of the pandemic, I too found myself taking a leave from social media. Between the curated content, rants about mask wearing, and so much more, I needed a break from it all (even though I am pretty much a social media outsdier to begin with). I slowly began integrating it back into my daily life, but with a different purpose. I am Facebook illiterate, but use the STCO group (or whatever accronym it is) to check if certain products are in. But yes, I too depend on technology wholeheartedly.
Technology has transformed daily life, integrating convenience with challenges, prompting reflection on its pervasive impact.
This post really resonated with me! It’s amazing how seamlessly technology has integrated into our daily lives without us even realizing it sometimes. From waking up to a smartphone alarm to using apps for work and even entertainment, it’s hard to imagine a day without these tools. I agree that while technology brings so many conveniences, it’s important to find a balance and ensure that we’re using it in a way that enriches our lives rather than controls them. Thanks for sharing your perspective on this!
This is a great post, Sushmeet! I completely resonate with how technology has seamlessly integrated into our daily lives, from the first alarm in the morning to the tools we use for education, fitness, and entertainment. The convenience it brings, especially with online shopping, banking, and entertainment platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, has certainly transformed how we live.
Your points about the evolution of social media and gaming were spot on. As someone working in mobile app development, I find it fascinating how mobile apps have revolutionized almost every aspect of our routine, much like the way you mentioned using apps for health tracking or managing daily tasks. There’s no doubt that the shift towards mobile platforms is leading the charge in this tech-driven world. Speaking of apps, if you’re interested in exploring more, you might want to check out this detailed article about the best offline music apps for Android and iOS over at:
https://koderspedia.com/best-offline-music-apps-for-android-and-ios/
As you highlighted the impact of apps in entertainment and productivity, this article adds a nice touch to understanding how technology continues to evolve, particularly in mobile app development in the USA, where platforms like these are at the forefront of innovation. Keep up the great work!