Technology Impacts Today

 When we think of technology, we often first think of smartphones, computers, video games, and smart watches. Although these are common every-day uses of technology, so are things like medications, stoves, vehicles, and yes, even food! 

A lot of people today think of technology, and think of the negative impacts it has had on life. Yes, your kid may be distracted at the dinner table, but the food on the plate most likely wouldn't have been there if it weren't for technology like GMO's, antipasti sides, and tractors. So, what is more important food or phones? The kid with the iphone is able to access more information at their fingertips then most of their parents and grandparents went through college in the library. This changes how we, both, learn and teach in the classroom tremendously. I personally think that as teachers we should implement technology in the classroom as much as possible-it isn't going anywhere. In high schools today, most classrooms have smart boards, and most schools are 1-to-1 meaning every kid has a school issued laptop. Along with kids having a tremendous amount of knowledge at their fingertips, comes more responsibility for the parents and teachers. As elders we need to be able to have control over what are kids don't see. For instance, right now in America there is a big problem that is finally starting to be talked about, sex slavery. The major majority of these child sex slave cases stem from the technology that our kids/students use everyday. Heavy information, right? The positive side is that you can fight technology with technology. There are several programs out there monitoring what goes on when our kids/students get online. 

The most unbelievable technology, in my eyes, happens in the medical world. Things like pacemakers and prosthetic libs change peoples lives everyday. A personal example I have of technology in the medical world has to do with ACL surgeries. 30 years ago, if a professional athlete tore up their knee, their career ended and most lived crippled the remainder of their life. Now, take me for example, kids under 18 have knee reconstruction surgeries all the time. I had 5 before my age of 21. I know knee's are a long way from your heart, and by no means the most miraculous thing happening in the medical world, but I feel it is a good representation.

Although technology can be bad, I am a believer that it does more good than harm. My 83 year old grandma facetimes me almost everyday, my doctor can see the inside of my body without cutting it open, we have food that produces more and more every year from the same plant, and my trailer house that is 40 miles from any town has cell service and wifi where I am able to take college classes. I believe these are all VERY positive things technology has done in my life.