No New Phenomena and Always On

I think this cartoon plays a parody on the “always on” phenomenon…

Although individuals commonly see technology being brought into the classroom as a new phenomena it is clearly not. Teachers have been finding ways to incorporate changing times and tools in the classroom for decades now. No longer do teachers use graphite and paper, teachers have been using calculators, graphing calculators, projectors, transparencies, and typewriters for a while now.

Since teachers often acclimate to changing technologies it is important that we discover all of the beneficial ways that technologies can be integrated into lessons. Technology is now a way of life for modern students. Individuals are often connected to multiple technologies at any given time, giving the idea that students are “always on”. Weather this means carrying a cell phone, laptop, ipad, receiving an email (you don’t even have to be engaging yourself in order to be accepting media), receiving social networking communications, exploring the Internet, and other ways of technological engagement, individuals are constantly connected to technology.

Weather individuals are hanging out, messing around, or geeking out, they are learning valuable lessons on technological communications. Not only does the media technologies, specifically the internet, allow individuals to pursue interest driven networks but also allows them to extend friendships and social relationships. Communities are now not only based on shared location but are now based on shared interest. By pursuing media that is of interest there is an unconscious, individualized-sought-out learning involved. This is invaluable for individuals.