Give Up a Technology For A Day!
Our readings this week focus on technology as “invading” our schools and arguably our lifestyles as well. To demonstrate this level of integration, please choose one piece of technology to give up (cell phone, text messaging, Facebook, Twitter, etc) for your SOUL day, Wednesday. Nothing that impedes your work, of course!
Post a reflection on your experience (what impact did it have, what adaptations did you have to employ to counteract the missing technology etc) as well as a picture of the technology to the class stixy
Good Luck!
On Wednesday, I spent the day not using my iPhone. It was a long day. What I learned from this experience is that I didn’t realize that I prefer to read books on iBooks than paperbacks. Also, that I use my phone as a watch, so I was lost looking around the room for a clock. Finally, when I was waiting at the doctor’s office for a flu shot, I couldn’t believe how many people were engrossed in one task or another on their cell phones. There were at least 20 people in the room, and no lie 12 had their cell phones out in front of their faces. Even a little guy around 4 was keeping himself busy playing on a little technical device.
I have given up the use of my car two days a week and now bike to work. I have started this just recently. I thought I would miss it much more than I did and I can almost make it to work in the same time as driving (at peak rush hour here in Vancouver, crossing a busy bridge). I think the thought of going without the car was much worse than the reality. After doing it a couple of times you realize that we use technology habitually based on previous reasoning.
1. The car is faster and more convenient
2. The car is safer
3. It is more comfortable
I have been driving for over 25 years and have mostly found the above to be true. After biking a few times I have found that in my situation the car is not necessarily much faster (especially when I can climb hills faster), doesn’t feel safer and is less rewarding than biking.
We need to continue to challenge our beliefs about new and old technologies and keep reminding ourselves that our past experience is not indicative of today.