I was very surprised how many of the tools I already used. The most surprising tool I found was tumblr. This is because when I usually use tumblr, I am looking for horse pictures, the new Taylor swift quote or different cute animals. I never thought I could use it for educational purposes. I recently just started following some fitness sites and have been gaining a lot of great ideas for the classroom. This list has been so cool to see and realize what I can be using for my profession.
If I could figure out how to do this in one of my classes I would love it! Every day technology is getting better and better. Computers are getting faster, new websites are emerging and business are booming from a home laptop computer. With this Web 2.0, where the focus is people to people, possibilities are endless.
Just today, I was trying to decide which pedometer to buy. With the Fitbit, Runmeter and tons of other options, I had no idea which one to pick. From reading all the reviews, I was finally able to make that decision and I did not have to leave my house. This is because Web 2.0 is enabling people to do all the talking on the internet and pushing back all the boundaries that were first there. Web 2.0 is also allowing small business to rise up and create competition for the corporations. With websites and different ways to promote products, business are able to get more leverage than ever before. It is a really great time for the consumer. Students also can benefit from Web 2.0. Not only can they buy and sell textbooks, they can also rate a professor to see if they really want to take that class next semester. Or they can create groups on Facebook to help them study or do their homework. Education can truly become better with this technology with the proper use. Do you ever realize how much time we spend in our cars? Or waiting in line? Or time we spend just flat out wasted? When I took inventory of how much time I actually waste, I was very appalled. Therefore, I have made a goal to listen to one podcast a week. Podcast are talk shows, that you can pick, and listen to whenever and where ever you want. It is one of the coolest things ever. In listening to one podcast a week, I hope to learn more about current events, my faith and how to do life better.
My name is Megan and I am from Baltimore, Maryland. I love Jesus, PE, horses, working out, Taylor Swift, baritone ukes, dogs, the color green, glitter, and starbucks. The "always on" generation is the millennial generation who grew up with technology at their finger tips. According to the article, this generation is easily distracted, sometimes hard to interact with, but can get information quicker and develop items faster than any generation before. Seems to me like a really sharp double edged sword.
As a millennial, I find truth in each argument about the "always on" generation. I know that I am very capable of multitasking, but I know I can be more distractible than the dog from Up!. I know many of my friends are very determined in creating new things and using all the technology given to them, but do have problems in social places without their iPhones to secure them. This is a very hard spot to be in because the pros and cons are great on each side. On the positive side, a lot of great things are going to be accomplished. People are working harder than ever and finding better ways to do things. I believe that these improvements will lead to more efficient lifestyles and many lives that will be saved by different medical advances. I believe that due to this "always on" generation more people will be reached with the Gospel and lives will be changed for Christ which I can never go against. On the negative side and this is my spiritual side coming out, I can not help but worry about the relationships that will be lost. So many people today are connected by screens. Face to face interactions are becoming less and less and this scares me a great deal. This brings fear because emotions can not be truly defined in a one word text message and people will lose their hearts to this buzz. Yes the efficiency of these advancements are great, but it is erasing quality time and human touch. Also, people who are "always on" can forget what is right in front of them. People get so focused on sharing that really cool sunset on instagram, they forget to thank the God who created it and just enjoy it for what it's worth. The "always on" generation truly missed the right now. Either way, this is the future and we have no way to stop it. The only thing we can do is be examples ourselves and try not to get so caught up in the buzz. Its going to be great on all sides! Social networking can "make or break" anyone today. With the amount of things posted, shared, or even "liked" on personal web pages, people can either be in heavy positive affirmation or in deep trouble. This is why universities need to be preparing undergrad students in how social networking works so success can be obtained.
Even though all of the undergrad students today grew up with social networking, most are still very confused on the "proper" ways to use the amazing tools that we have today. Students will often make mistakes of posting inappropriate pictures, friending students they may student teach or going off on rants that will hinder their further careers. And while this may seem like common sense, students are often losing great jobs because of all these mistakes that could be fixed. I believe that each college should have an introduction to social media class. In this class, professors would inform the students on how to use social media for their advantage. Professors will explain how social networking should be use in a "professional" context in each moment. People should never feel free to post "whatever they feel" because it is their own web page. Students need to be taught that nothing is truly private on the internet and things can never truly be deleted. With this class, I believe a lot more students will have a more positive experience when getting jobs. Embedding: |