Technology and the Future (week 7)

Richard Miller: This Is How We Dream Parts 1 and 2

“This Is How We Dream parts 1 and 2”, by Richard Miller explains how technology has increased since he was first starting into his field of work. Libraries were where you had to go to do research and to find books to read for pleasure. Now books are no longer being printed and can be found on shopping sites for less than a dollar. Mr. Miller says that there are less people being found in libraries unless there are computers and other technology available to the public. In a short time, technology has advanced and are you ready? I think that I am going to be prepared with the help of my technology classes during college. To stay on top of technology as it expands in the future, I will do research and teach myself to learn for my students.

I think that technology has expanded and grown for the better. Cell phones and computers are becoming a part of everyday life. Schools have become simpler for students as well as teachers because of the use of computers in the classroom. Computers allow the students to explore different countries and cultures just as well if not better than books did.

With technology already introduced to children in this generation, they will grow with the technology today and should adapt easily in the future with advances. Multimedia should not be difficult for students to learn being raised with computers, cell phones, webcams, and social networking. Maybe with the resources at our figure tips, schools can decrease the cost of school supplies like paper, textbooks, markers, and replacing the chalkboards or dry erase boards as they get scratched.

The Networked Student by Wendy Drexler

“The Networked Student”, by Wendy Drexler is a mini video about how a student uses the wide range of networking to complete and gather information for his class. Ms. Drexler explains the different technology programs like Skype and blogs that helped this student to succeed in his work. The most important thing that was said in the video is when Ms. Drexler says, “Don’t be scared to ask.” Even though classes a utilizing technology networks, teachers are still the main source for information.

All students no matter the age should be connected to the world. Ms. Drexler also mentioned that students have experts in the subject field at their figure tips. They also have the resources to communicate with other students to learn and come up with ideas together. The students do not have to be controlled by their learning. If students take the initiative and explore the lessons further than the classroom, they will be a step further in their learning.

There is networking programs out that students use on daily-bases that they never knew could be used as a learning tool. For example, IPods became a popular device that a lot of children and teens wanted to store music and movies. To get music and videos on their iPods, they would use iTunes. ITunes downloads more than just music and videos, but podcasts of broad range of topics by teachers and experts in their fields. Networking in the 21st century to students is vital. All students should take education seriously and expand outside the classroom.

Toward a New Future of Whatever by Michael Wesch


Michael Wesch does it again. His video “Toward a New Future of Whatever” is accurate to how it was like in 1984 to present. Teens and even some adults like to use the words ‘Whatever’ when they do not know what to say next or have a brain freeze. The problem with this is those individuals write using these words. Technology devices that are able to check spelling and grammar have a tendency to over look these words. Mr. Wesch also is accurate when he mentions that real feelings of people come out when they are on internet communication sites like YouTube.

Are youth today are learning their communication buy watching videos and celebrities. Celebrities, like Alec Baldwin and Charlie Sheen, are role models to the children. How they communicate to the public reflexes in the youth. MTV and VH1 are popular youth music stations that communicate to children and teens through song. When looking at sites like YouTube, teens and younger people are making their own music videos and communicating solely on that. Whatever happened to people inviting other people to dinner and having a nice face to face conversation?