The Digital "Language" (Blog 1)

I have never really thought of myself as a technological person. I was probably the last of my friends to get an MP3 player and still struggle with uploading songs. I don't rely on the Internet for EVERYTHING, and I am not up on the latest technological advances. But as I read the Educause and Article assignments for this week, I realized I am much more technologically inclined than i had once thought. I would be lost without my cell phone, I don't go anywhere without it. Not only is it my lifeline to my family back home; I use it to text friends to make plans for the weekend, to check the weather, and quickly check my email before class. I am constantly online emailing, doing research, checking my bank account, as well as checking and updating my facebook account. In the last 2 weeks, my home computer has not been working. When my husband took it to be repaired; not having it in the house seemed more like a handicap than in inconvenience. I didn't realize what a big part of our life it was. The 2 days without it seemed to be the longest of my life!

I will be the first to admit that i still have a great deal to learn when it comes to technology. I have 5 nephews - I can almost bet that the two oldest (Ages 15 and 12) know more about a computer and the latest technology than I do. When I talk to them and ask them what's new in their world; it usually consists of their latest computer/video game. When I ask them how school is going, the highlight of their day typically has something to do with technology in the classroom. They love lessons where the teacher incorporates the Internet or a new software program. Their parents are slightly frustrated in the fact that their children's lives seem to revolve around a concept that they themselves have not really ever had to embrace. It could be the "remoteness" of the small town that they live in and the ability to communicate with neighbors, family, and friends the "old fashioned way" that makes them less willing to accept what their children are learning.

I still believe that children should do things other than play video games and surf the web to apply themselves; but it is important for educators and parents to understand that our society is taking a significant turn toward even more dependence on technology. Our children need to be not only familiar with it, but be prepared to use it in a personal and professional setting. When the time comes for the youth of today to head off to college, their campuses will be much different than the campuses of today. We need to be sure they are ready.