My Technological Usage

Now that all my other analysis are done, I had to observe my own use of technology. Surprisingly, I did not use my phone excessively. I thought that the cell phone would consume my day based on previous observations. Sure, there was the occasional phone check every hour, but other then that and texts, my phone stayed in my pocket. On the other hand, my computer was a major distraction through out my day. My distraction did not directly affect my classes, but other homework. I would be writing an essay and I would become distracted with my Facebook and Twitter page. With other websites open, it took me about twice the amount of time that it normally would to finish my assignment. Obviously, technology has consumed not only mine, but most Americans' lives. We, sadly, prioritize our electronics over social relationships.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/08/cumberland_valley_high_school_3.html

How Others Handle Technology

If you were to look around campus at anoy one students, you would probably find someone lost in their cell phone. Whether you observe students during class or during class breaks, technology is probably the point of concentration. As a matter of fact, I observed many students during the day. During class, students hide their use of technology. They burrow their cell phones in their backpacks or tuck them under the desk to "hide" it, but many teachers notice. Instead of concentrating on the lecture, students are distracted by other conversations and games. Also, students that are allowed to bring computers to class are rarely on helpful websites for the lesson. Rather, students are on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. Technology in classrooms is highly distracting and should be left out. Students are also infatuated with their technology between classes. Many students walk in pairs, but do not talk. Instead, they are texting or calling other people. Not only is this rude, but it also completely takes out social interaction. We need to learn how to control our technological dependence.

Short film on texting in class.

Staff Member Interview

If students think their classes are hard to manage with the distraction of technology is difficult, teachers should be even more stressed. Professor Smith, an AWC teacher of eight years, constantly is distracted by students' phones and computers during class. He has also realized that the students who easily get distracted from technology are more likely to fail his class. When asked if technology is important to students in their classes, Smith declared "students should avoid using their technological devices in class because it distracts them from what the teacher is teaching". I completely agree with Smith's accusations. I have observed classes in which students never get off their phones and completely ignore the teacher's lesson. Technology should be left outside the classroom in order to ensure full attention. According to Smith, in-class cell phone use does not also distract the user, but "it also takes the attention from the teacher". Smith also explained that teachers become distracted with students because they constantly have to tell them to turn off their technologic devices. Allowing technology into classes also increases the chances of cheating. Smith explains that "students often text eachother the answers to test questions in order to score better grades". Smith, and many other teachers, agree that technology in the classroom has more negative effects then positive.

"Allowing technology in classes increasing the chances of cheating."

My First Interview

Many people view technology as a distracting aspect of our everyday lives. Summer, an AWC freshman, has a very strong opinion to prove otherwise. Summer firmly believes that technology is a beneficial part of her life. When asked if technology helps her in her everyday life, Summer responded "of course! Everyday, my phone helps me stay in contact with all my friends in family that I don't talk to on a regular basis." Similar to Summer, many college students use their phones to keep in touch with all their family and friends back home. I, personally, am from California and technology is useful because I can "talk" to my friends everyday even though we all live in different parts of the country. Summer also argues that technology assists her in passing her classes. Her research becomes easier to find because "search engines such as "Google" put [her] options in a organized and relevant list". the internet makes specific and detailed research easy to find.Summer argues that technology is an asset to her everyday life.

Arizona Western Computer Lab

What does technology cost?

In my opinon, tehcnology has many benefits, but also has many costs.Sadly, Americans have become very dependent on their technology. Not a day goes by without checking our phones and social media sites. Friends and family communicate through technology in order to keep in touch with distant relatives. Technological sources have become shortcuts for everyday tasks. Cell phones now have downloadable applications that can be used to perform certain tasks such as providing novels, sports scores, and news to our phones. Simply, technology has made us very lazy. Americans are relying too much on their technology.

Also, technological advances can be a very big distraction. If you were to look at any high school or college level course, you would see students sneakily texting, surfing the web, or playing games on their cell phones. Compared to past forms of communication, technology is the most efficient way of contacting people. In this way, technology is an important and helpful way of communicating. But this may also have a downside in the fact that many people ignore their present conversations for others through the phone. My mom constantly catches me doing this. I will be in a conversation with her, but I will also be texting someone else on my phone which causes me to not be concentrated on what she is saying. Sadly, this is the world we live in and technology will never go away. Americans must learn how to control their dependency on technological devices.

Texting in class can be very distracting.

Introduction

Hi there! Thank you so much for viewing by blog. My name is Hayley and I am an eighteen-year-old freshman in college. I currently play softball at Arizona Western College. My primary position is pitcher. Technology has been a very important part of my life ever since middle school. From video games to television, I was constantly surrounded by technology in my home as a child. From elementary to middle school, one could find me stuck in front of the television screen catching up on cartoons. During high school, my interest shifted to more interactive technology. My cell phone is always in my pocket for casual texting or emergency phone calls. Like many teenagers, I can usually be seen on my phone. Without my phone, I feel disconnected from my friends and family. I am always texting my parents and friends back home in order to keep in touch while I am out of state for college. The Internet has also made a huge impact on my life as a college student. Research has become very easy due to the accessibility of millions and millions of databases. I feel like these search engines are more efficient than books and encyclopedias. Although I am not particularly proud of the fact, technology is a key factor to my everyday life.