Though I am of the "younger" generation who should be all up on technology, I have never considered myself to be. I just bought my first lap top when I started this masters program and my first ipod touch a month ago. Heck, it took me over a month to add more than 2 cds to my ipod touch. As I looked through all the articles that are posted on the Read Write Web, I started to realize how out of touch I am with what is going on in the world of technology. I knew very little about any of the articles other than Facebook and Microsoft. Sometimes I wonder if technology is just not as important to me as it is to others or if I just can't find the time to get involved as much as others. Maybe technology would permit me to have more free time but I look at how addicted I have become to Facebook and how it soaks up all of my time, and realize, technology just makes me want to play around more. I remember the days when I would go running with a portable cd player. It was easy; you popped in a cd, went running and you really did not have to think about it. Now, I have this ipod touch, I have to upload songs to it, make a play list and that all takes me time. The portable cd player was easier, well except I had to keep buying batteries for it! It is frustrating though to listen to others talk about all these great advancements in technology and I have no clue what they are talking about. Even for this masters program. I have struggled with some of the things we need to do and have had to go get help from a friend who is only 2 years younger than me, but way more up on technology than I will ever be. That frustrates me but also tells me why getting this masters will be beneficial not only in my classroom, but to my personal and social life too.
Okay, off my soap box...After reading the article "Facebook Moves to Encrypt User IDs" by Audrey Watters I started thinking about a reason I am not so into technology. I find it scary that people can go on the web and find out so much information about each other. One thing I have loved about living in Phoenix is that I can go anywhere and basically do anything without having to worry about running into anyone. Now I am worried that Facebook will leak out personal information that I may not want others to have. Once again it makes me question how great technology is in this world when we seem to have more and more problems arise from its existence!
I am right with you Jenny! I too, am hesitant with all the technology and wondering who will read it and potentially misinterpret something that could be very innocent. Things that children are communicating today on the internet could potentially change their lives tomorrow. I remember reading about an under age girl that was raped. When her case went to trial, the judge noted that the girl had lied about her age on myspace. As a result, the judge did not hold the over 18 year old male accountable. Children and adults say all kinds of things very freely on the internet and think very little of it. I think everything we say or type should be considered and re-considered before we hit the 'send' key.
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