Reflection 1

With the world that we live in today, there is absolutely no doubt that we live in a technological society. Technology rules most of our lives. How many of us could say honestly that we could make it a day without pulling our phone out of our pocket and checking social media or sending a text message? Not many I would bet. For most of us, it is a habit that has been formed and it is slowly eating away at our social communication skills.

With that said, I think that technology is an amazing tool when used in the proper place. It aids us in our everyday life and most people couldn’t function properly without it. It can be used in virtually every aspect of life and can totally erase the human interaction in several instances. Which for me, is pretty scary.

I am kind of have a hybridized mindset when it comes to technology in the classroom. Being an agricultural educator, I am a huge fan of hands on practices and practical learning opportunities. Then again, I also stand for what is best for the students and will stop at nothing to see them succeed in and out of the classroom. Through my eyes that can be done with and without technology.

As far as the articles go, I would have to say that the paper vs. tablet survey is flawed. For me if you survey an older age group of people, or a different geographical area, the results may weigh heavier for the paper. The inventions are truly amazing, but how practical are some of them? The technology used in a classroom and success rates are very interesting numbers to see. One thing that will weigh heavy one those numbers is the funding in rural school districts? Also I am pressed to find a school district that will find it in their budget to spend the money in technology for the ag program over the rest of the school. The “smart furniture” as I would call it would be beneficial in a handicap setting, but would further prompt laziness and lack of exercise in our youth further impacting the childhood obesity epidemic.  

After all of the articles are considered and my own personal outlook on our situation with technology, I have to agree with Einstein. If the children of America and the rest of the world for that matter, continue to lean on the crutch of technology, we will see a generation of people that cannot provide for themselves. It is bad enough that most children leave high school not knowing how to balance a check book or change a flat tire, but where is the line? Where do we as educators say enough is enough? Most of the technology in a classroom seems to me like a way to make it easier on everyone and the children are suffering because of it.