Technology is an active viral agent:

• All individuals are susceptible to infection
• Technology uses evolve and technology mutates
• Human factors change as they are infected with techno-virus
• Relationships are important for propagation
• Opportunities for interaction are essential for propagation

Addressing the issue of computer use/underuse:

• Some individuals are resistant to the infection and therefore, there is no manifestation of the technology in the classroom.
• Our students today are digital natives and those who are resistant to or newly infected with technology may feel inferior. Therefore, they avoid implementing technology for this reason.
• The quaratine of schools restricts the flow of technology into the classroom (this is not to suggest that ALL technology should just be let in. Our students well being should govern this, but maybe we are being too restrictive). The real world has so much more innovation than our classrooms so the classroom ecosystem < cultural ecosystem.

Addressing the issue of ecological responsibility:

BIOTECHNOLOGY: In its purest form, the term “biotechnology”
refers to the use of living organisms or their products to modify human health
and the human environment.

“Industrial biotechnology applies the techniques of modern molecular biology to improve the efficiency and reduce the environmental impacts of industrial processes. For example, some agricultural crops, such as corn, can be used in place of petroleum to produce chemicals (NC University)”.

“Environmental biotechnology is used in waste treatment and pollution prevention. Environmental biotechnology can more efficiently clean up many wastes than conventional methods and greatly reduce our dependence on methods for land-based disposal. For example, methane can be derived from a form of bacteria that degrades sulfur liquor, a waste product of paper manufacturing. This methane can then be used as a fuel or in other industrial processes (NC University)”.

Just as we use microscopic organisms to help change/improve a process/product that
ultimately will improve our environment; we must also add ourselves to the list
of biotechnological agents.  Human-technology integration, as illustrated in the virus metaphor, makes us superior biotechnological candidates to help answer the call to action regarding our ecological problems.

Reference:

NC State University: College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. Biotechnology and its Application. Retrieved on November 13, 2011, from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/foodsci/ext/pubs/bioapp.html