My name is Michael Picarella and I'm an English (ESM) major in my senior year. I’m currently on track to graduate in the spring of 2025, the same time my 21-year-old son is set to graduate.
I think media technology should very much play a role in teaching today because it's the way of the current world and the future world. We are only setting our students up for failure by not introducing them to and familiarizing them with these tools, whether at the grade-school level or college level. I liken the media technology and learning it to my own father’s experience with it, or rather his lack of experience with it. He worked as an engineer for Rocketdyne for 42 years, spending many of his years as an engineer in the space shuttle program. When he retired in 2003, he told himself and everyone around him that he’d never use a computer again. To this day he still does not have a smartphone. However, he has since had to buy a new TV, and new TVs are all smart TVs. Because he has allowed technology to evolve around him, the simple task of creating an online account to get apps and channels on his TV is a complete mystery to him and quite the frustrating process. Just creating a username and password is a frustrating process that makes him want to give up. And he was an engineer!
I see this same problem occurring with students if we do not give them the tools necessary to adapt to an ever changing technological world. We as teachers should strive to equip our students with as many tools as possible to better succeed in society.
As for any particular effective or ineffective uses of media technology that I’ve personally experienced, I do find downloading numerous applications on my electronic devices to be quite taxing. However, in the work world, I experience those same frustrations. In other words, any and all tools we can give students to prepare for the world that’s out there ahead of them should always be welcomed, regardless of how taxing and frustrating it might be. My son is very familiar with much media technology. He went through grade school learning so much of it. I’ve had to catch up, as I went through grade school in the 1980s and ‘90s without any of this stuff. Indeed, we should strive to keep those we bring up ahead of the curve.
Hi Michael. Your dad’s experience is a great example of why we need to equip students with technology skills early on. It’s clear that keeping up with modernization can be challenging, and when people like your dad, who were experts in their fields, find themselves struggling, it highlights the need for proactive education in this area. My mom has also had a similar fair share of complications with the TV. I believe that integrating media technology into our teaching isn’t just about keeping up with the trends, but it’s also about preparing kids for a future where these tools will be integral to their lives outside of school. Without this exposure, students may fall behind and face frustrations with technology which can lead to setbacks in their pursuits. While managing the vast multitude of applications can be overwhelming at times, the benefits of using these technologies are immense. Your experience with your son, who grew up immersed in technology, shows these benefits. I’m almost your son’s age, so I can definitely attest to the differentiation in technological skills across generations. As teachers, it is our responsibility to make sure students aren’t just familiar with technological tools but also comfortable navigating them. Technology is never going away, and this way, we’re not just teaching kids how to work with technology but also setting them up for success in this ever-evolving world.
ReplyDelete(Also, I am more than excited for Terrifier 3. It has been the thing I have been looking most forward to this whole year!)
Yo, Michael. Your father’s experience with technology is not an isolated experience. While my family is not as accomplished as yours, they also struggle with technology. My father works in construction, and his math skills are crazy. He can find the area of just about anything he needs. He can use different mathematical formulas without knowing their proper names, and he said he has been doing them for so long that he has most of them memorized. Regarding technology, he has minimal idea of what he is doing. I have to set up his accounts for just about everything. With his lack of knowledge of technology, I feel like he is being left behind. So, being able to teach the younger generations how to use technology, even in its simplest form, we are providing them an excellent service. Most schools are leaning towards technology and understanding that the benefits outweigh the negatives. Most jobs in the market require the person to have extensive knowledge of how to use a computer.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being a senior you're almost there, congratulations to your son as well!
ReplyDeleteYour story with your dad reminds me a lot of my parents and grandparents. My grandparents sound just like your dad basically unwilling to adapt. When we tried to force my grandma to have an iPhone for fear of her living alone she kept accidentally posting things on her Facebook. My parents being the next generation are willing to learn but God are they slow I had to set up my parents accounts to ensure they don't get locked out because they don't remember all their passwords. My generation being next I can see that I am no where near as knowledgeable as my younger siblings.
You make a good point that technology isn't going anywhere and will only evolve. Meaning we have to be able to continue to grow ourselves as well as educate the coming generations. The only question I had was how can we do it and what is the right way to do it. Technology can be an awesome tool but it can also be something that is totally abused.
Hopefully with awesome educators such as yourself in the future you can properly guide the upcoming generations with this.