It’s safe to say that we are in a age of digital education. What do I mean by that? Think back a few decades and you’d realize that our parents did not have the same type of learning experience as us. The classic chalkboard has been widely replaced by smartboards and/or projectors. We also receive our course information through the digital platform, blackboard.
Source: Lauren Creamer
After spending an hour online, I found myself self-educating myself through YouTube videos. I was watching this video on how to perform different moves in basketball. It was very informative and that reminded me of what Couldry said about the internet: “levels of internet access are so high that the online world is seemingly a universal reference point (page 11.)” I couldn’t agree with Couldry more because I believe it is true that whenever someone wants to find information, confirm a fact, etc., they would always resort to the internet.
On a general basis, I believe the era of computerization and digitization has improved human activity. The world is at our fingertips and we can literally do almost anything through a screen. The efficiency and effectiveness of digital media is through the roof. From simply checking an email to the possibility of meeting your significant other (Tinder) is certainly groundbreaking.
Of course, there are people who believe that digital media is harming the quantity and especially quality of human interaction. According to Athique, “people have come to be seen as biological computers (page 17.)” I really can’t agree with that because I believe it depends on the person and their personality. For example, a timid person would arguably prefer someone to text them rather than talk on the phone, and a socially-friendly person would use social media to their advantage to start conversations.
Source: Genometttemperament
To wrap things up, it is without a doubt that digital media has changed our lives. Some of us may have been born before the digital age, but for most of us, we can’t bear to imagine what life would be like without the use of digital media. It has become a staple in our lives and I know for a fact I have used digital media to my advantage, so what about you? Do you think digital media has somewhat deteriorated your social interaction with others or do you think it has made you a better person?
You offer some great points in your blog posts all examples that I can relate to. In your conclusion you sent a strong message by saying some of us can’t imagine what life would be like without digital media. It can be a scary thought to think of but at some time it will get to the point where generations will not know life beyond the digital revolution. Nicely done!
Learning new things and absorbing information on the internet like you have said, is very accessible today. Whether you are searching how to cross over your defender or how to play a song on a piano, digitization has allowed both the student and teacher to connect from where ever we are.
It is very true that technology and media has changed all of our lives in todays day and age. There are both positive sides and negative sides to all of it, but it does depend on how each one of us uses it. During your hour online, you seem to have been doing productive things. The internet is an essential tool for learning indeed. It is amazing that we have it at our disposal, and we should try to take advantage of it as much as we can. Information floods our society with all the technology and media we have now, it is crucial that we not take it for granted, and also that we consume all the information responsibly.