Reflective Thinking

My name is Joubert Guanzon and I am currently a pre-service teacher. Each week will contain a driving question which i will answering. Come along and follow me along my journey for the next few weeks of this semester. All work within my blog is my own, unless referenced appropriately.

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Blog Post 3: An understanding of how changes in technology impact the way humans communicate, and the ethical issues that surround these changes

Recent advances in technology has several impacts on the way that humans communicate with each other. Although technology has significantly improved communication, I believe that there is a rising amount of ramifications on the way individuals interact with each other having an impact on social wellbeing. Ethical issues an important in regards to technology and their affect on human communication.

Changes in technology has provided a positive impact on the way humans communicate with each other as it enabled individuals easy and convenient communication. This is evident through several types of platforms and digital devices such as social media, text messages, phone calls and video calls which can be used by phones, iPads, laptops or tablets (Drago, 2015.) The wide variety of technologies enables convenient and flexible communication increasing social wellbeing and interaction with other individuals. For example, communicating with relatives from other countries is more accessible through Skype calls, FaceTime or video calls. Therefore, changes in technology has enhanced communication for all individuals.

However, there are negative impacts that changing technology has on human communication. These changes affects the way people interact with each other as the quality and quantity of face to face communication is reduced (Drago, 2015.) Everyone is spending more time communicating with each other through social platforms or digital devices. For example, texting someone who is in another room in your house. As a consequence of reduced face to face communication individuals experience loss of social skills because individuals are not interacting with other humans often enough, isolation themselves as they are always using technology. Eg: no eye contact, misinterpreting facial expression. (Lin & Atkin, 2007.) In my opinion, changes in technological devices reduces younger generations spelling capabilities because they technology language in their everyday lives such as “omg” or “lol.”

There are ethical issues concerning changes in technology such as copy right, privacy, confidentiality and parental consent. Privacy and confidentiality is an ethical concern as social conflicts occurs if people participate in unethical practises such as copy right. For example, an individual using other people’s photos and information as their own. As a consequence it can jeopardise their reputation or employment status. Parental consent is another ethical aspect that must be addressed. It is important that any social platforms asks for parental consent to ensure that young children do not access or participate in any inappropriate conduct.

This question has impacted the way I think about technology and how it is used to communicated with each other. I believe technology should be used for communication, education and entertainment and not for inappropriate behaviour as it can ruin the way people view me and my reputation.

Drago, E. (2015). The Effect of Technology on Face-to-Face Communication. Retrieved from https://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/academics/communications/research/vol6no1/02DragoEJSpring15.pdf

Lin, C. A., & Atkin, D. J. (2007). Communication technology and social change: Theory and implications. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

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Blog Post 2: Why Are Digital & Communication Technology Important To Me?

Digital and communication technology are important to me as they assist me in my everyday life such as convenient access to information, entertainment, communication and a wide range of creative and innovative programs. 

Digital technology is important to me it provides convenient and efficient access to information whether it be through websites, journals, books for videos. There is an immeasurable amount of accessible information online. This will benefit me as I aspire to become a primary school teacher. Digital technology can improve the quality of work I produce as I have a wide variety or resources I can use in relation to my studies. The convenient and limitless amount of information available will enhance and broaden my knowledge enabling myself to provide a great education for my class.

Digital communication can help individuals create a Personal Learning Network (PLN.) According to Barbara Sakamoto, a PLN is an online community where people can share and exchange information, communicate and collaborate with each other to improve other people’s knowledge about topics (2012.) A PLN is critical for communicating with others such as employers, teacher organisation group or educational groups. As a results exchanging and sharing information it will enable me to become a better student and teacher, collaborating with employers will provide me with experience to potentially receive a job and communication with groups or individuals will increase my knowledge as I can seek for advice, assistance or tips from more qualified and experienced educators.  

Digital and communication technology is important as it has provided entertainment through several different types of technological devices such as mobiles, tables and  laptops. It has provided me with multiple types of entertainment through interactive games, videos and social media. 

After reflecting on the topic of digital communication and technology, I have come to realise that it is very important to me and plays a significant role in my lifestyle. Without the use of digital technology communicating with other individuals would be much difficult and as a result there are less opportunities to learn and develop as we can not share and exchange information and collaborate with each other. As a primary school teacher digital communication would benefit me as I have a PLN which can allow other to provide me with information to improve my teaching methods.

Sakamoto, B. H. (2012). What is a PLN, anyway? ( Barbara Hoskins Sakamoto) - Teaching Village. Retrieved from http://www.teachingvillage.org/2012/01/03/what-is-a-pln-anyway/

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Blog Post 1: Do Digital Natives Exist

  “Digital Natives” refers to those individuals who were born in the digital world and speak in digital language of computers, video games and the internet (Prensky, 2001.) However, those who have not grown up in the digital are referred to as “Digital Immigrants” (Prensky, 2001.)

I believe digital natives exist because a significant amount of the population has grown up in the technological world. The digital revolution occurred from 1950-1970 when digital electronics replaced mechanical and analogue technology. Therefore, a large amount of the population was born in the digital world. This is evident though generation Y as their lives revolve around various types of technological devices. Young children are digital natives as they have been introduced to digital devices at birth and used them in their daily lives such as entertainment or educational purposes. Children know how to use technology as such a young age, when they have access to digital technology, they instantly know how to use the device. For example playing games or watching videos on Youtube. 

Digital immigrants, generally the elderly are individuals who were not born in the digital world and have recently adopted technological practises (Prensky, 2001.) However, they are beginning to use more digital devices in their daily lives such as mobile phones, email or social media. Due to the general differences the elderly feel excluded from technology and avoid contact with digital devices as they feel intimidated or frightened to use it (Wakefield, 2015)

I believe “Digital Natives” is an excelled term which describes an individual’s knowledge of technology. Prensky paper “Digital Native, Digital Immigrants” has helped me to understand how being a digital native/immigrant impacts the way people perceive technology. I have learnt that younger children have a high level of knowledge about digital technology as they were born in the digital world, thus using technology since birth, where as the elderly are less likely to use technology as they feel vulnerable because they do not know how to use it. Prensky’s work has enhanced my knowledge about digital natives. this concept is important to my profession as a primary school teacher as it enables myself to provide a unique, more engaging and relatable way to teach my class though the use of digital technology.