Reed Chapter 8-10

The final chapters of Reed’s Digitized Lives were very interesting and thought provoking. Chapter eight discusses the debate of whether technology is making kids today less intelligent than before. But more importantly Reed talks about technology being integrated into modern classrooms and the possible effects that this can have. He states, “you need to know not how many tablet computers or digital projectors your son’s or daughter’s classroom has (though that is good to know), but rather what are teachers doing with the technologies they have. Are they using them creatively or dully, are they using them to escape their role as teachers or deepen that role?”

I know that my personal experience with computers was pretty limited in school before college. At least I feel like it is less so than what children have in school today. In elementary school the only time that I was exposed to computers was when we went to the lab once a week to take typing classes. This class was mostly an interactive typing game that was focused on you learning the keys and increasing your typing speed. In middle school I had a class that was dedicated to learning Microsoft programs and also learning how to form different papers such as resumes or different applications. This was very useful in learning how to use, not only Word, but also excel, and power point. By the time I was in high school computers were pretty integrated into my classes because I specifically chose technology oriented classes. I was taught to use and become proficient in illustrator, Photoshop, flash, and other Adobe programs. This was extremely helpful to me to learn at a young age. I also think it helped me later in life when choosing what college degree I wanted to peruse.

Another point that Reed brings up is who exactly is on the internet and who as access to it. “The world wide web isn’t.” The gap between those who do have internet and those who do not is called the digital divide. Reed makes the claim that the wealth gap (which can be said is the same as the digital divide) is not a socially sustainable trend. This can only lead to greater and greater strife. This leads to distress and social exclusion. This is the same concept that we have heard from a previous book panel. How this gap is only causing a greater and greater divide.