The Transparent Tech Teacher |
Studies conducted by the Pew Research Center from the year 2014 revealed that 84% of households own a computer and 73% of those households have a broadband internet connection. Another study by the same center shows that 92% of teens (defined as youth ages 13-17 for the purpose of this report) are online daily. To look at the breakdown of this internet usage among teens, the study shows that 24% of teens are online almost constantly, 56% go online several times a day, 12% go on once a day and 2% go online less often. This increase in internet use is driven, in large part, by an increase in access to mobile phones and handheld devices. The same study states that 75% of teens have or have access to their own phone and 30% have their own phones.
That's just one segment of our population. Those of the older generation have much different usage habits and statistics. I take a quick look around my house, I'd say an average American household in terms of income and ability, and here's the tech that is readily visible: two laptop computers, a smart TV, a wireless printer, a cell phone, iPad, portable charger, and blue tooth headphones. Other fairly common tech items not owned by me, but seen frequently in public, include: fit-bit or health monitor, smart watch, and car navigation. We are SURROUNDED by technology. We live in a digital world. So, has it made us better people? Think about yourself on an average day, then go through your daily routine. Take a look around your house; what tech is clearly visible and readily available? How often and in what ways do you use your technology? How do you see other people using it? Has it helped or hindered your quality of life?
8 Comments
7/12/2017 10:02:14 am
Becky, for myself, I wake up based on an alarm on my iPhone (I use the Sleep Time app), and then I check the weather for the day on my Apple Watch. Unless I'm in a rush, I'll grab my iPad from my nightstand and check my e-mail. Anything that I can answer quickly I do there, others I leave until later in the day. My breakfast consists of a shake and some lemon, honey water - which I consume while on my laptop (responding to e-mail that was more complicated or time consuming to do on the iPad or just checking my various social networks).
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Isn't it amazing how technology has become such a natural and integral part of our lives. I know there are many others out there just like you, including myself, who use tech as part of their daily routine. The major difference between you and I is I don't get to use an alarm, my body decides it wants to wake up early and there's nothing I can do to stop it!
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Itxaso Cayero
7/12/2017 06:10:58 pm
When I look around my house I would say I have less than the average American but that is probably because I am Basque (not very materialistic and like to save money LOL). I would say that both my boyfriend and I wait to buy a device until we know we don't have one that can fulfill the same function (a function we actually need). I mean, a perfect example is that have been wanting to buy the Apple Watch for two years now but can't think of what new things it allows me to do that I can't already perform with my phone besides the GPS that tracks your mile even when there is no service (which my current app cannot do).
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Itxaso,
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Naomi Jaynes
7/16/2017 05:41:34 pm
I love the many uses of tech in my day, Becky, as I'm able to communicate, create, and collaborate so much more quickly and efficiently than without it. I also like that I'm in control of it and can intentionally "unplug" to ensure quality time with friends and family, and to cultivate a rich inner life.
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Loreal Moore
7/16/2017 07:15:07 pm
Though there are so many cool and simplistic technological advances in our daily lives, I try to spend time without my devices. Device free quality time is so essential because although these techy things are meant to connect us, in a way, they make us less social at times.
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8/1/2017 06:07:59 am
Would you say that technology generally has a positive or a negative effect, all ages of users considered? We understand the importance of unplugging, but do our children? Do you think we're doing a good job of teaching them how?
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AuthorBecky teaches tech to 3rd-6th grade students at Compass Public Charter School. ArchivesBlogrollCategories
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