It was really interesting to read the article entitled The New WWW. Last semester I was able to take a class called Positive Psychology. Much of the class was spent discussing Dr. Seligmans research on happiness, as was discussed in the article. The internet provides many sources for the good but also for the bad. As the article suggests, it is not as easy of a world as the web makes it out to be. Promoting self esteem and happiness through material means is going to reduce happiness rather than increase positive emotions and feelings of contentment. The internet is a prime source of taking this route, with the ads, commercials, social networking sites, pornography, and one click buying. Kids can loose control of reality if they spend to much time in front of the screen.
Besides the www, technology in general has become a must for children in todays world. From cell phones to ipods to video recording devices and everything in between, student expect to become proficient and have their own devices. These devices are expensive and become a status symbol for children. However, they are part of our society now and they must be used and addressed in the classroom.
I believe that there needs to be a balance between active and effective technology use and use of traditional means of communication and work time. There are benefits of both forms of work and neither should be dominate over the other. Because of our societies focus on technology, it is important we address it and use it, because our students will have to use it outside of the classroom. Part of our job as teachers is to prepare our students for life in the real world, and with technology such a huge part of life, we must educate our students in all areas of technology.
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