Reflection Tag: This second essay that we wrote is an argumentative essay. You had to pick a side on the digital era is a positive or negative thing and then back it up with some research, or evidence. I wrote about how technology benefits us and can be used as learning aids, improve people’s ability to communicate, and it can help to urbanize society.
Download Link: ERH102UrbanTrechnologEra
Olivia-Aman Cotton
ERH 102-06
February 5, 2016
Mrs. Smith
The Urban Technology Era
To ignore that we are living in a new technological era and that the current and future generations are growing up in a digital age would just be ignorant. There are people that try and run from technology, for example elders believing that they are too old to own a cell phone, or teachers thinking that they cannot use a projector because it is too complicated. There are many speculations about whether our technological advancements are a positive or negative impact to today’s society. Although there might be some downsides to the new digital age it has its benefits; benefits such as technology can be a tool that can aid in learning for all ages, can help build peoples communication skills and there ability to communicate, and can help to urbanize society.
Many people argue that technology is only used for games, texting, and essentially fooling around; however, technology can also be used to aid in learning. Many students have already witnessed the affects of the digital era. Math classes are now doing there homework online, science teachers are using interactive labs to help teach their students, and English teachers are able to get more sources and reading material to their students by having online resources. These are just examples within the classroom, but there are examples that extend beyond that. “ Allstate Insurance Company studied 85,000 drivers older then 50 and found that they could reduce the risk factors of elders driving with a computer based program” (Herther 423). Just as scientists are always looking for cures to diseases, we could think of computer programs that improve driving as a cure as well. Car crashes, which is grouped in accidents according to the centers for disease control and prevention is the number four leading cause for death. These statistics are significantly high enough that it would be beneficial to society that they start creating programs that could improve driving for all ages and the government should make these programs mandatory to in turn save lives. “It has even been found that increasing your involvement in activities such as, computer software aimed towards cognitive skills can help with memory, concentration, processing speed, organizing, reasoning, impulse control and executive function skills” (424). Working your brain in these areas can help with diseases like dementia and Alzheimer. Alzheimer’s is also on the list for leading deaths in the United States, so encouraging people to use these software’s could help to decrease the rate of Alzheimer or at least delay the affects so people can live longer, while still being elf-sufficient. Parents can now buy computerized, baby toys allowing infants to start learning at a very young age. These toys are interactive and fun so the babies are increasing their intelligence without even knowing that they are learning. If a child starts to develop cognitive skills at a young age they have a higher potential for their level of intelligence in the future.
Cell phones, computers, tablets, watches and etc. are devices that have made it a very efficient and accessible to get into contact with other people. “Technology has given us ’just in time’ learning and information, [that] has made communication truly mobile…we can now share information, stimulate options, and have real-time, web-based interactions across the globe” (424). Instant connections have become as simple as, if your mom is at the store and you forgot you wanted applesauce you can just shoot her a text as a reminder. Watches have become so advanced that people can now send texts, emotions, or make calls. Some, especially lazy people, might argue this is even more convenient then having to pullout a cell phone because that is a waste of time and energy. Internet has allowed for the across the globe connection that makes following the news across the world easy. Not only do online news sources allow for people to easily follow the news, but social media, like Facebook can also allow for people from other countries, or across the country to communicate. Now days Facebook is often just used as a connection tool for family and friends to view photos and be aware of what is going on with other people. If you are having trouble meeting someone in person there are sights such as eHarmony or Tinder that can help you try and meet your significant other using on-line resources. Some people that struggle with making friends or communicating in person have video games, or online games that they can use to play and communicate with other people that share the same hobby. In the business world “technology has helped to urbanize society in more ways then we can even imagine…[technology has mad it so that] physical location [has become] less important and businesses can now operate on a global playing field” (Dearing). What this means is you can work for a company in New York, but you could live in California. This allows the job market to expand and might help to decrease unemployment rates, or people struggling to find work. Or, the technological advances can apply to items such as cars. They have been enhancing cars new technology like: satellite radios, Bluetooth calling, push-to-start cars, rear-view cameras, HD televisions, and many more.. Many of these things just seem like fun little additions to increase the luxury of your car, however, they also have technology that have increased the safety of vehicles and the crash safety awareness. For example, the new sensor technology on cars that activates the breaks before you crash into someone or something. Restaurants, such as Red Robins you no longer need a waiter to order your food or pay for it. There are tablet like devices on the table that allow you to order your food and then at the end you can pay with your card on the device. In large dinner parties that are all paying separately this is extremely helpful ad efficient because it can be difficult having to split a check between many people individually. It has carried over to the food industry as well, we have ovens with technology that rapidly cooks food, or machines that are touch screen and allow you to pick whatever drinks you want essentially. This has allowed for more convenience and more efficient fast foods.
Many people don’t believe that the digital era is positive because it breeds a lot of negativity. Technology such as video games, people argue breed’s negativity and children to act more violent. However, as previously stated there arte many programs that are beneficial to learning; as a parent you could make sure your child is not playing violent video games, but ones that are going to increase their intelligence or cognitive skills. Other people believe that technology does not increase communication but inhibits it because it is creating a new language that is not proper in school and work environments. But you could also argue that writing of any type creative, personal, formal, or informal enhances a person’s ability to write, think, and be creative. In other words it is writing that allows someone to express him or herself freely. While some people think that texting and communicating on-line has reduced kids social skills in person. Truth be told there will always be people that are better at communicating then others, communication is also a skill that can be learned so learning to communicate through technology can act as a starting point for those that are not good at communicating in person.
The digital age is unavoidable and technology is only continuing to advance. Those that are trying to avoid technology and pretend as is if it is only harmful are going to get left behind in society. It is extremely inconvenient to not be able to get in touch with someone because they don’t have a phone, or there is no Internet connection in an area. Although we might deal with these things now in the future you will not be accepted if you are not updated. Someone not having a phone of any sort would be like going to someone’s house without a toilet you probably would never go there again, and they would be considered a social outcast. An argument can be had whether the new technology and internet is positive, or negative, however technology has been found to be used as beneficial learning tools, a means of efficient communication, and helped to urbanize society.
Work Cited
Dearing, Charles. “Technology Will Lead to De-Urbanization | Big Think.” Big Think. N.p., 26 May 2012. Web. 08 Feb. 2016.
Herther, Nancy. Digital Natives and Immigrants: What Brain Researchers Tells US. 2012. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. By John D. Ramage, John C. Bean, and June Johnson. 9th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2001. 419-26. Print.
“Leading Causes of Death.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, 30 Sept. 2015. Web. 08 Feb. 2016.