M8 Discussion Forum Posting: Theories of media and technology

This module provided an analysis into the various theoretical approaches that define media and technology. Before reading through this chapter’s readings, I misunderstood the difference between technology determinism and technological neutrality. I’m glad that this misunderstanding was picked up as I read through the articles because otherwise I would have not realized that when Marshall McLuhan said that “the medium is the message” he meant that the technology we use determines the messages we receive. This realization helped me see the importance in helping students learn as many theories about media and technology as possible because such understandings enable learners to “articulate, effect, join, perceive, depict or predict that which would otherwise be inarticulate, fleeting, isolated, occluded, unimaginable or obscured” (Petrina & Feng, 2013).

Reference

Petrina, S., & Feng, F. (2013). Module 8: Media and technology theory – Introduction [Lecture notes] Retrieved from https://www.elearning.ubc.ca