Although I have seen many benefits to expanding my PLN, I do have a few thoughts about something Benjamin Franklin was a strong advocate for.... moderation.
I seriously wonder/worry about the effect that so much technology (ipods, cell phones, blogs, etc.) is having on people's abilities to appropriately interact with a human FACE TO FACE. I am finding that too many of my students are a bit lacking in their social skills, and how they far too often seem to wrap themselves into a multimedia "cocoon". Whether it's putting on their headphones and submersing themselves in their music with thier ipods (even in the short passing periods between classes, I see this!) or constantly glancing at/playing with their cell phone. I have some serious concerns about the future of human interaction (this includes manners!). As Franklin might say,... everything in moderation.
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I have the same feelings about technology and the lack of face-to-face interactions. I recently attended a wedding and, while the rest of us at the table chatted before and after dinner, a student at the table spent the entire time interacting with his cell phone. When I attempted to include him in the conversations, he seemed to have no idea how to to be part of a discussion. Hmmm ...
ReplyDeleteI have taken students on trips and watched them text each other from adjacent rooms (the doors are open) in order to hold a 'conversation' ---disconcerting. At some point in a text conversation with a student I often resort to "come talk to me in the am about this'".
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