Digital Nation

A) There were several ways in which Digital Nation depicted technology as being beneficial to learning. One way, for example, is that students today, living in such a technology-based, fast-paced, world, are going to be much more interested in learning if it involves technology. Another way is that technologies like the internet make sources much more easily accessible to students. Students have a world of knowledge at their fingertips.

B) While the technologies of today can be in some ways beneficial to teaching and learning, it can also be very detrimental. The segment title The Dumbest Generation speaks for itself. All of the fast-paced technology that students are using in their everyday lives is making it much more difficult for them to focus on just one thing at a time. Both writing skills and reading skills have gone downhill, according to college professors, and students are not even as well prepared for college as the generations before them. Considering our world is only advancing and continually learning, this is definitely taking steps backward.

C) Considering the use of technology has both pros and cons, it is difficult for me to say whether I believe it to be more beneficial than detrimental, or vice versa. I think that users of technology need to be aware of the dangers of it, and use it wisely. This video reminded me a little bit of the movie Wall-E, where the world got so dependent on technology that they completely forgot about every doing anything for themselves. While I realize that this is an extreme, it is still sending a good message. I do believe that technology is amazing and should very definitely be used in the classroom and in everyday life...I just believe there needs to be a good balance. The user needs to keep themself in check and not become too reliant on technology.