Posting # 1: Is technology a necessary evil?
Technology is embraced by some who see it as a panacea for creating a global environment that liberates and democratizes. Others see technology as an evil that permeates our culture with filth and is fraught with dangers. Where does the truth lie? Is technology a necessary evil or a powerful tool for positive social change? Talk about this from your own experiences? What do you see in the community around you?
posted by Jeff Whipple at 8:24 PM
44 Comments:
I don't think our children can avoid learning the latest technology since this is the way the world is going; and, as you mentioned the technology is literally 'exploding'.
I love technology...e-mail, chatting, searching for information on whatever I can think of and creating documents. I believe that technology is a powerful tool for education. I am not a techie and my children are too young to be very interested in computers but I feel that having a computer is like having a huge library of encyclopedias. If I want to learn about the cuisine in a distant country or learn a new language, all I have to do is type in a few words and then...BAM!...there I am. I do feel that children need to be educated and prepared before they are allowed to have access to a computer and that the parents should be responsible for monitoring what their children are accessing and viewing.
yo everyone I am intimidated by computers because i am ummm how do you say i'm totally computer un-savy but i do know how to email and msn so i guess thats a start. the more i learn the more i will feel comfortable. I do wish to learn more from this class so that i will not hamper the learning of my future students because even though i believe that tech. is a necessary evil i also think that students really need to know how to utilize the internet/technology because it's such an important part of today's world.
Jeff, I was not finished writing my comment and due to my ignorance, I prematurely sent it. My final comment on this point is that I only hope and pray that educators and school systems will have the wisdom and ensure that the proper controls are in place to prevent abuses.
I think that educational technology is a powerfull tool because it creates opportunities for children to learn, explore and gain experience.Wheather we or they (children) are typing our journals or doing research, technology makes life much simpler!
Well about technology being labelled as a necessary evil, in a way I agree because of on-line predators stalking the women or children. But because of technology more interaction for business, education and pleasure is available to us which opens up doors and windows to communicate with one another so it is not all evil.
Technology is a necessary evil because it revolutionized academia. Even the most isolated communities have been globalized. Everyone is now at our fingertips. We now have e-mails, chatlines and i-pods to occupy our time, but generalized research is readily at hand on the web.
I believe that the internet and the use of technology is both a positive and negative thing. There are a lot of dangers in regards to children today for sure, with child predators, and bullying and certainly the internet has opened up a brand new, sometimes lethal avenue for child predators to attract children. It also has opened up a brand new avenue of catching such predators. Policing units can now observe the internet and search for predators through websites and blogs and IM messaging, because everywhere they go, they leave a trail behind. So, it is both dangerous, but yet still beneficial. As far as innovation, moving technology farther than it could ever have gone, it is excellent! there are so many websites to look at and look for, meeting new people is easier than travelling to another country, and so many benefits to the internet. People's voices can be "heard" through websites and blogs in a positive way also, and it gives a chance for others to respond to their comments and to post their own and their own beliefs, freedom of speech has a new method of being expressed. So, yes, technology and technological advances are good for today's society and in some ways, outweigh the negative aspects. thank you Melissa Ellison
I can see if technology is considered a necessary evil if it is used in the wrong ways, negatively so to speak. Other wise I can see it as being a positive goal for the future. If is wasnt for technology, our world would be a very bleak place to live and in a more broad spectrum ( I may be getting off topic but...) technology helped to bring murderers to justice and other criminals as well, although technology has been used to disrupt things as well as bring down major corporations, in a negative way. I really think that this is a good debate topic because there are ups and downs to technology in todays society.
I think technology can have positive and negative aspects to it. Using technology in education is a very good thing!! We can do so much and accomplish things, that we weren't able to before!! Example... our class... to be attending unversity in our home town, with out having to move to fredericton or some other place... thats a huge difference, which makes so many people be able to accomplish thier dreams. Now unsupervised use of the computer, chatting, blogging.. etc.. thats where it can be dangerous,,and lead to negative aspects.. bullying, stalking, etc.... but i think with proper supervision, limits and caution, we can prevent it from becoming a bad thing!!!
After reading all the comments it seems to me that there are equal amounts of pro & cons associated with technology. what is the correct answer? Well obviously everyone has their own opinion about the topic but who's to say for sure? Personally, I think that technology is an important part of todays society. Every day we are impacted by technology, through media, and inventions of everyday use. I think its awesome that we can see whats going on in the world locally and globally. With out networking and interaction we wouldn't be able to hear or read the weather forecast. Everything would be ancient as in biblical times, im actually glad to be living in this day and time with all the super gizmos&gadgets that make life easier. On the other hand we are pretty spoiled, everything handed to us knowledge, credit cards, and bills for all the super gizmos and gadgets that we want or need.
I personally think technology is beneficial to everyone in todays society. I agree with MelissaD's comment... I mean there are pros and cons but i think the cons are more based on the individual, and their intentions. The advances in technology today are so "out there" that we're doing things that werent being done years ago. I'm not too old so I've pretty much been brought up around the advances in technology, and I'm pretty up to date with a lot of the new inventions. I'm all for technology... because i mean, the possibilities when it comes to technology are endless...! And M.D is right, look at us now... without technology we wouldnt be having this course via video conferencing, email, and now blogging.
Lorraine Clair,Elsipogtog
I think that the pro out number the cons as far as tec. goes. When I see our handicap and mentally challenged people able to go on the computer and have some sort of normalicy in there lives it is more than a good thing.With all the new programs that are comming out and the blockers and anti almost everything you can protect your children from the evils of the net. Ypu can problly protect them better on the computer than you can in the school yard.
I Think That Computers Arent Evil, because everyone learns from them in different ways no matter what way is it. The only evil thing about the computer is when people right about different people in bad ways but that dont really happen to much. A computer is also a powerful tool to be taught at. The children get to learn how to use a computer proper and take care of it so parents wouldnt have to keep checkin up on it if they learned it in school.
Technology can be useful and evil for different people. Technology is being used in a useful way in many work places and individuals but it is also used an evil way. It has made innocent people look very bad. We have to learn how to create our images to look good, be very careful of what part of our privates lives we want revealed.
I believed technology to be useful. Some times I found out information that I don’t want to know about and occasionally I find information that I am not supposed to find out. This creates a wedge between my children and I.
Technology has been useful in solving crimes and creating crimes. So I think that it can cause evil to people who are not consider evil or have not shown any evil behavior in lives until they knew how to use technology to their own advantage. Thinking they will not be caught. How dump can criminals get. We never think that some one can be monitoring what we are posting on the Internet. There is always someone exposing what we are doing, but then we may not realize what is being posted could be considered criminal activity.
Rose Levi
I think to me it has both advantages one being good and the other being bad. On the positive side it proves to be benefecial in all the classes, because of the internet to search up on many topics given to you. The use of the smart boards and also video conferencing. And a lot that i don't know about. But on the negative side it all depends on who uses the computer for the wrong reasons. Searching the web for porn and to chat with strangers and giving out personal information, not to mention all the perverts that use it for personal pleasure not being good.
Overall, I believe that technology is a powerful tool for educating our future generation. Without technology knowlegde, it would be difficult to learn the proper techniques and tools that come with todays living and learning. It is essential that the children of today learn technology, because technology is our furture, whether we accept it or not.
Hi! Classmates
Technology has made many advances over the years. I can remember when VCR's fisrt made their debut and how we thought this was the coolest invention. Nowadays, however the tecnology available to us is by far more advanced then those of the "good old days" and it continues to evolve at a rapid pace.
In todays fast paced society the internet is certainly very beneficial because of it's capability to provide and send information anywhere in the world with merely a click of a button. However, there are also some immoral activities that occur because of the internet. We have all seen episodes of "Dateline" when they lure on-line predators in order to expose them because they are preying on young children in chat rooms. In my opinion children and adolescents are the most vulnerable when it comes to the internet and therefore should be supervised closely when they are on-line. In addition they should also be educated to the dangers that could occur if they are not careful when going on- line.
Technology, such as the internet, can be a wonderful tool but it certainly has its darkside as well.
Technology can be looked at either being evil or a powerful tool for positive social change. There are many pros and cons but it is all about how you look at it. It is about how people utilize this advancement in technology.(such as the internet.)
If we did not have technology we would not be able to do the classes the way we have been so it has come a very long way from 10 years ago. Myself, I go on-line to reserch a topic, shop or to chat. So technology is a very powerful tool for me.
Like anything else, there are two sides to everything, good-bad, positive-negative - it merely depends on the intentions of the individual or group and the perceptions of those viewing that usage.
Technology is a an essential part of our lives in today's society. It is both necessary but excessive all at the same time. It connects us on a micro and macro level. It allows for even the smallest fraction of learning and connecting with one another at the community level but also with the larger global commmunity. The education environment has expanded wider and quicker than we could have ever expected even 10 years ago. And that is a benefit, because it allows us to see perspectives, ideas, information and culture that we otherwise would not have been exposed to. This can breed tolerance and acceptance, not just on a small scale, but on a large scale (though idealistic as that may sound).
At the community level, computers, videoconferencing, teleconferencing, digital mediums, make learning in the schools so much more accessible and easy, especially with new information constantly being added to today's knowledge (although a grain of salt must be taken with some things found on the internet) and that knowledge being at our fingertips.
On the flip side, yes, there are the abusive predators who may manipulate and exploit technology for their own malevolent uses, be it porn, abduction, abuse, etc. for both children and adult victims. There are also those that can use it as a slanderous tool to hurt others within their own communities, and this occurs at all ages and technological experience. For example, digital pictures can be easily manipulated for the purpose of blackmail.
And not only that, it would seem we have become so dependent on technology that we have forgotten how to think for ourselves or work for ourselves. I mean, how many people can honestly say they have written an actual letter to someone lately (and that doesn't mean email)? AT the same time, we see our youth relying on calculators, computers for quick information instead of learning and researching the old way. So it would seem to some degree that even though they have access to more knowledge, they have become lazy in acquiring that knowledge.
But I could go on. Again, with any new discovery or invention, especially one that is a contribution to society, there will be good and bad. It's up to us as members of this "civilized" society to decide how and why we use technology and everything it gives us access to.
hi Jeff,
I believe that, like most other issues, there are both advantages and disadvantages. My view on this topic is that the evolution of technology is very necessary in order to accommodate our fast pace lives and everyday schedules. I believe that there are many advantages to the speedy growth of technology. Advantages in ones personal life, working life, as well as, their community lives. Technology is very convenient in many different ways. However, when used in destructive and selfish ways, technology can add a burden on society and also can poise a violation on ones human rights. Overall, i see technology as both good and bad, because where there is good there is bad.
However,I often ask myself what was so wrong in the 50-60-70's that we needed to be introduced with all this technology to begin with?. When i listen to an elder's story about the olden days my understanding is that the main focus back then was in meeting the basic needs of life, such as, food, shelter, clothing,and love. They were times where most people were pretty happy and content. Not to mention, very independent and self-suffient.I'm sure you have all heard the saying "the more you get the more you want", well, there we go. Imagine where are we going to be in 10-20years from now. Or even 5 years time.I cant!, or better yet i prefer not to!
I think that there are some pros and cons to technology; the cons are mostly by how it's used by some individuals in an evil way. I think it's up to us individuals to educate and protect ourselves and our children about the dangers of the internet. I think that technology is a great tool for learning, without technology we wouldn't be having classes through video conferencingfytr.
Sorry I forgot to put my name
Anonymous said..
I think that there are some pros and cons to technology; the cons are mostly by how it's used by some individuals in an evil way. I think it's up to us individuals to educate and protect ourselves and our children about the dangers of the internet. I think that technology is a great tool for learning, without technology we wouldn't be having classes through video conferencing.
I think that technology is the greatest thing that has ever happened. I am so sorry that I never really took the time to learn how to use it. I have to learn so much but I am ready. I have yet to learn how to use a cell phone, remote control etc. I realized how far behind I am when my Kindergarten children knew more about technology than I did. I am always open-minded about learning something new and this course is the best opportunity I am going to have to catch up.
I really like the comments you guys have been posting...I must say tht I was pleasantly suprised at the level of understanding and knowledge about the power of the web...it seems that many of you have a good handle on the fact that technology is a new and powerful tool, but must be balanced with making sure our students are safe and are well-prepared for this new information age.
A couple of comments really stood out...
I really like the idea that Melissa E posted about people's voices being heard. The new WEb 2.0 is powerful in that it provides individuals a voice that is equal to others. Anyone can have a blog. I think this is especially important in the growing movement towards global democracy. It allows peoples of all backgrounds to understand each other through communication.
Sabrina (and many others) talked about connecting us on a macro and a micro level...that is a powerful idea. Connecting cultures (macro) breeds understanding while the connection of individuals (micro) really gives everyone a sense of empowerment...I will definately be reflecting more on this point!
Finally...Lisa talked about imagining where we might be in five years...well...I can't!...and I live this technology everyday. The changes will be rapid and dramatic. On-line newspapers, design your own TV shows, whatever, you name it! It is all a possibility now.
Great posts everyone...I really think we will learn muh from each other. Keep thinking!
Jeff
I really enjoyed all the comments mayed by all of you. It made me think more of what else is out there and what we as teachers are going to be doing in the futre. We will be able to teach and learn with our students. This in it self is a very positive thing. If we can show or students that we need them as much as they need us. The lines that have been drawn so long ago will no longer exsit. Thank all of you for reaffirming my reason for taking this course and procceeding my education.
There is no doubt that technology can be an evil if used in inappropriate ways. With so many inappropriate sites, it is really up to the parents and educators to educate our children in how to use the computer properly as well monitoring their use. We are in the technological age, It is changing the way children learn, play and get ready for future work life. Knowing how to use a computer is one of the pre-requisites in applying for many jobs in this day and age.
Technology can open up new worlds of rich learning experiences, such as communicating with children in other schools thousands of miles away, obtain up-to-date information, staying informed by accessing community websites and playing fun and educational games. It also allows students with disabilities an opportunity to participate fully in learning as well as socializing with other students. Technology can be used as a tool to enhance any curriculum, however, it must be said that technology should not replace the individualized attention and encouragement from teachers and parents.
Isn’t it nice to be able to go online, talk to your friends, research information, pay bills, shop all at once and don’t have to leave your home! Is this how our future will be?
katie (katherine Joseph)
very interesting comments and i agree to most of the comments. Like everwhere in the world now a days we have the good, the bad and the eveil. We as adults have a lot of challenging work ahead of us, not only do we have to ctach up to our children, as digital native, but we must not loose control as being paretns to teach our children from speading evel and protect our children from evil in the technology world.
On the other hand i am excited and happy for our children to be learn in a fast pace and enjoying the different style of learning. They are there own teachers and they will be able to share their knowlege with us to create the way they want to learn.
As for myself i hope tech slows down a bit so i can learn it before becomming obsolete.
Everyone has some really good points about the technology and our future.The only evil is the person who uses the technology to their perverted advantage. These are the predators of the future, but then again our law enforcement must stay one step ahead.
Good Afternoon fellow Classmates and Prof Whipple;
Others see technology as an evil that permeates our culture with filth and is fraught with dangers. I certainly believe we as socity have come along ways, just look at us 10 years ago and today! Where does the truth lie, I think it is up the the individual where that turth lies. There are many people out there to make a quick dollar and if that means cheatin your way through, so be it. BUT for all of us, we have to pay for it. Whether is through the loss of identities, credit card fraud, or posting porn and luring young child to do sex acts via computer web-cams or having them meet the prepurtrators (excuse to typos). that we are hearing so much about. Is technology a necessary evil or a powerful tool for positive social change? Don't get me wrong I am for this technology I may be slow to adapting and learning but I am for it! Look at how we can communication nowadays on chats lines, shoping and learning at the tip of your fingers. Let your fingers take you where you have never been before. :) Talk about this from your own experiences? I have 2 teenagers, I make sure that when we bought our computer that they knew what they are allowed and what they never should do. I believe that parental involvement is very important when children are first learning to use the computer. Rules need to be made and inforced. Most of all children need to respect and understand that it is a tool and must be used appropriately. What do you see in the community around you. It is very scarey what some people are doing on the computers, it's too bad that they are abusing it and themselves. See you at class.
**Off Topic** this is the only way i an think of to get someones attention.. Hoping someone sees this... We're not connected to the other classes... we're assuming the Fton site has to call us?? -tobique girls...
I think that technology has replaced human interaction, lets look at dvd players and satelite dishes they have replaced people from going out to the movies and actually stepping outside and breathing the so called fresh air. And the computer (internet) people don't have to visit one another or go to the mall or pay bills it all takes place on the world wide web. I was remebering the scare we had December 31 1999. What if everything would've shut down, where would technology be now.
I do enjoy technology, it's been a safe place for me whereas I am a shy person, it shields me from interacting with others. so in conclusion i think it is interferring with social change.
But great for our education in schools. :)
In considering technology and if it seen as a necessary evil or a powerful tool for social change in regards to Education, from my viewpoint as an Education worker in an Elementary School, it is a powerful tool for positive change. The teachers here have access to the Internet along with a smart board in each class and there is a computer lab as well. The children are closely monitored when they are in the computer lab and are usually put on educational sites such as www.dositey.com. This is a math site that the children go on to play games. Last year, a grade two class had an opportunity to follow one teacher's blog as he traveled from Las Vegas to Fiji, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Germany, Tunisia, Spain, Ibiza, Portugal, Holland, and Ireland. They learned all about these places, by going to his site to look at the pictures he had posted, and the things he had done for the day. They also had an opportunity to post comments and ask questions on his site. This teacher said that because the children were following his adventures, it motivated him to keep his blog site up-to-date and informative. He received 10 000 hits during his trip.
When it comes to what parents can do online at home with their children is another thing. In an article I found online written by Larry Magid titled "What Can Parents Do About Online Safety", I think he said it best; "It should come as no surprise that parental involvement is the key to keeping kids safe online. You can lecture your kids, you can install filters to block objectionable websites, you can spy on your kids and you can try to keep your kids off the Internet, but none fo these tactics are as effective as engaging them in conversation about what they're doing online". www.safekids.com.
So when it comes to tecnology in the schools, I think it is a powerful tool in helping us educate children. As long as teachers ensure that the children are aware of the rules that involve the acceptable use of school computers they can continue to learn in a positive and safe environment (www.gnb-ca).
I think technology is a useful tool. I have two sons who use computers all the time. They use it to do research for their homework, I think that's neat. My 8 year old son knows more about computers than I do. My 11 year old uses the computer to learn new songs. He plays guitar and he looks up songs on the internet, and teaches himself new songs. My 8 year old e-mails me his stories that he wrote. I think technology is neat, and I hope I learn more about it during this course. I hope this message goes through, the last one didn't.
Mary
I think technology is good to have at home it helps the kids learn that there are other things that go on in other places. It teaches them how to look for information on there own. I have a 12year old an he enjoys the technology, he loves to surf things on the internet and he chats with his friends, and plays his games online. I keep an eye on him so that he does not abuse the use of technology.
THE Technology we have today is definitely a poweful tool for learning. the information and games that children have access to is flexible (different age groups) and abundant. The same use goes for educators and parents.
But...
As everyone knows there will always be people who can and will manipulate and use these tools for negative and evil uses. It is up to parents and educators to ensure that the negative abuse do not get to our children, be it thru games, chat and email.
We need security programs and always to keep an eye on the sites and programs our children use.
Annette
hi Jeff,
Many people seem to think that it depends on how a child is brought up that will determine how they will utilize the internet. I do not completely agree with this, the internet can be considered a dangerous resource for many things, and it is a useful tool for everyday learning and provides us with unlimited access to everything. Children can be taught to not go here or there on the net, or to not do this or that, but there is still always that possibility that the more you tell them no, they will be eager to know what they are missing. I worry about the parents who do not know much about technology and they don't know what things they should block out, or they might not be able to do these things. There are courses that teach parents how to let their children access the internet safely. There are many things that can make the net a dangerous playground, such as websites that show how to do things such as make bombs and things. It is also a great tool for children and adults who are in school, there is so much information to research for projects, and being able to communicate with friends and family all over the world without running a 500 dollar phone bill...hehe. Look at us, and how this class is being taught to four different communities through video conferencing, meetings can be held online without having to leave your desk. It can also be a bad thing because now that we can do all of this(even shopping), soon there will be no reason to leave our homes. If we are not careful we may become dependant on the net to do everything. So in all, the are many pros and cons to the net but it would be crazy to do away with it because it is such a useful tool for everyone.
Teaching is already hard enough as it is. Many changes are made in the educational system on a daily basis. Therefore, I personally think that any kind of technology within the classroom can help. Let's have an open mind and learn.
Jeff, this is Miranda the anonymous with no name is mine. sorry forgot to put my name
from carla ward i believe that the internet can be a powerful tool for evil such as bullying for teenagers in a way that they can use the internet to easily trash a teenagers reputation by writing things or personal things about the person which may not be true and that the person may not even know about it as fast as their friends have which can fuel even more nasty criticsm about the person being bullied. on the other hand i do believe that the internet is a good tool to use to educate students because the students can easily get crucial information that may be needed for their studies and also by using smart boards the children that are more shy can easily be more proned to get involved in class discussions and more hands on learning because of course smart boards there is a lot of hands on.
i think technology is a very resourceful tool to have fior learning, it has everything for all ages. programs, software and everything you want to know. With the evil part of things we have what we call chat lines. i think it isnt to bad for communication but i feel when it comes to young children it needs to be monitored.
cursive writing feb 1,
I think technology today is a really good resource, It has everything you want to know how to and learn and a way of communicating but i still believe we still need to teach our children in the lower grades how to print first then write, it enhances small motors skills to be able to pick up very small objects and be able to grasp it and it takes alot of effort and patience and lots of practice at school and at home. what about when they get older, they may have to sign their name on legal documents, such as birth certificates, license, passports things like that. i think we should care about handwriting. especially for sucurity reasons. Anybody can type your name but can they really sign it exactly alike?
sorry all just trying to catch up L.O.L!
I agree with most comments posted. But as with most things in this world we either choose to use it or abuse it. Maybe its not the technology that is the problem its the people who use it. Whether we like it or not technology is a part of our future. We may as well just prepare for it. If technology is helping people in all walks of life we have no choice but to expect the positive and negetive consequences that it may bring to our lives. Educating ourselfs as parents and teachers can help eliminate some of the dangers that technology has.
We live in a fast past society, technology is the direction that has been choosen for our present and future, and yes sorry to say there is good and bad in everything even with tecnology.
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