Interactivity #1

As a teacher, it’s important for me to understand Olivia’s relationship with technology because:

            We can’t always make assumptions like a lot of teachers did when they thought that the students weren’t able to use the technology since they don’t have regular access to it.  However, they find ways to get to it (such as Olivia using the computer in her basement) and figure out how to use it without instruction.  Because it is something new and exciting that peaks their interest, they put more effort into figuring it out.  Technology is still cool for students.  By incorporating it into the classroom, you associate cool with you subject matter.

Because technology is such an important part in Olivia’s life, as a teacher I could use that to my advantage when trying to teach.  Developing assignments that peak the students’ interest in technology and incorporate different aspects of technology that they use in everyday life would be a good way to get them more interested in the assignment and gear it towards a way that they will get more out of it.  Technology in Olivia’s life helps her get away from everything that is going on and let’s her forget about things for a while.  I think linking schoolwork to this positive outlet of technology could help her have a positive relationship with school and therefore help her studies improve.

There are many ways that young people use technology to learn; not just to have fun.  They find that through their hobbies that are based off of technology, they actually are experiencing a great deal of education as well.  For example, in the video we watched, one of the boys spoke about how his playing of online video games contributed to his developed skills of communication and coordination in a group setting.  He explained that it is easier to work with others after having so much practice working with others to beat the game.  In addition, one girl spoke of how her hobby was to learn Japanese, which she did through the Internet.  To them, technology like the Internet, opens a resource that would otherwise have not been there.  They take advantage of it and use it to expand their horizons even when they are not asked to.  Humans are naturally curious, so by giving them more resources through technology, we are helping them to cure that curiousity.

Three technologies that I use most often in my life are my cellphone, social-networking sites/email and the internet.  These have impacted the ways in which I learn new things mostly because of the accessibility they provide.  When I’m out, I always have my phone on me.  This means that people can always get in touch with me and it also means I have access to the internet and any information I might need at the moment.  I can learn new things that make me curious right there rather than trying to remember to look it up later (I would usually forget).  The internet and social-networking sites allow me to stay in touch with people I care about and learn about their lives easily. 

            As compared to the students in the videos, I think I am very similar when it comes to using technology for learning.  It is a great resource that I use without being directed.  I use it on my own because I want to learn more, not because a teacher said I had to.  I think this helps make the learning more meaningful to the student when they do it all on their own.  However, I wouldn’t say that technology becomes an escape as it does for Olivia.  It holds greater meaning to her than it does for me.  Technology is important to me, but I think it is held higher in her life than in mine.