It is true that as teachers we must know our audience, if we don’t it is close to impossible to reach them. But to what extent? Of course we should be familiar with the modes of technology our students utilize on a daily basis but how, if at all, do we incorporate this technology into the classroom? It is hard for me to shake the ‘too much to fast’ mentality. Yes, the innovations of the Internet and the wonderful tools of entertainment that exist now are great, but they are not everything. Even in my own generation (I’m 27) I have seen what I feel are detrimental side effects of these technologies. Person to person contact, an avenue that helps build community and groups people together has been changed. When I think about my last semester at a relatively small undergraduate college, I see the lack of communication. Specifically, I am referring to iPods. Students who have ear-buds plugged in do not talk to one another or even make eye contact as much as when they are not utilizing some form of personal entertainment. Yes, this is related to technology in primary/secondary schools. Does catering to this ability to satisfy ones self be it in the form of knowledge or entertainment deteriorate our social structure? Let’s take a 12 year old “digital native” for example. Perhaps this child just got on-line and researched 5 peer reviewed journals and wrote a wonderful paper and never left their home. What contact did they miss out on? They did not help the elderly man across the the street, nor was a wonderfully helpful librarian met at the library, nor did they have the satisfaction of struggling for information only to leave successful. Why are these things important, they are aspects of community that can not be replaced or made more convenient by technology. So, my point? Well, as a teacher I plan to be as familiar with where my audience is coming from as I can. But I will aim to not forget what makes a community great and successful and also what develops the young to old, experience. As a teacher I strive to teach children to balance all aspects of their lives as best they can.
