Blogpost 4: Influence On a Developing Child

When I was a kid, I used to play outside. I was physically active. Playing games with my friends outside is my daily exercise. As I grow older, our technology develops, and that is the time that I got exposed in playing computer games. I probably stayed at home all day, therefore I didn't have any physical activities that I used to have. It's sad that kids today aren't familiar with the games we used to play when we were young. Gadgets are the only things they know they can play with.

Since technology was born at this generation, kids today will be exposed and influenced by it. There is a great advantage from it but let's deal with the disadvantages first. I read the article "Kids and Technology: When to Limit it and How" by Katherine Lee from the site childparenting.about.com. It is stated there that these devices serve as a distraction for developing children. Parents are responsible because they have the authority to limit their child in terms of its usage. It seems that parents lack this kind of responsibilities. Look around, you can't see children playing outside. Playgrounds and parks are like ghost towns. Kids today just want to stay at home, or maybe computer shops to play with their friends.

These technology affects kids and mainly through their behavior. One of the effects may be lack from sleep, parents should be aware when their children sneak up to their gadgets. At early age, we need sleep more than 8 hours to keep our body working well, lack of sleep may result to weakness of the immune system. The other one is they lack time to bond with family or personal interactions. If you would ask a kid to choose from gadgets or family, they would probably choose their gadgets. Why? They tend to think that they're at home and they're with they family. They feel like it's the same thing, bonding with family. Some kids are easily distracted. Studies said that too much exposure with technology results to short attention span. Another one is, it could interfere with their studies. With their gadgets beside them, they would be easily distracted. The last one is about their physical activities. They are less aware that their body would not function well if it is not active. All these results could change a developing child's lifestyle. 

Just like Katherine said, "For school-age kids, technology can be a double-edged sword. There are countless benefits that can be garnered from using technology", we should limit the children's usage of these devices. It can help them and obviously, it can destroy them. 

On the other hand, technology contributes a lot to education. Exchange of information takes place rapidly. Going to library and reading a lot of books aren't necessary anymore, because in computer we can search and get the summary of everything. I read the article "The Role of Technology in Early Childhood Programs" by Francis Wardle from the site www.earlychildhoodnews.com. According to the article, computers help children with their homeworks. They can easily learn and find the information they need. Computers inside their classroom are helpful too. Some schools have it. The flow of the discussion and lessons are fast. With the help of projectors, their lessons are provided with visual aids. Kids today love pictures and they easily learn from pictures instead of memorizing word or process. In terms of curriculum, if all countries would study about technology, it would help them enhance people for the future. Technology evolves faster than we think it does. It grows quickly, so when the time these kids will finish their studies. Kids could also invent things, with the help of their skills and technology. They're quite knowledgeable about reality, because the reality is, we are moving in a world that is being surrounded and manipulated by technology. 

"We are always looking for the magic bullet, something that will solve our problems. And, today this magic bullet for education is technology" Francis Wardle said. Problems are being solved, of course with the help of technology. We can have instant access with unlimited information we need. I, myself, agree that technology helps us a lot in terms of studying. I can finish all my requirements in less than a day without getting exhausted. And that is with the help of computers.

In conclusion, technology has its pros and cons. Parents are always responsible for their children's behavior. Kids are still young to make decisions for their selves. Instead of focusing of its disadvantages, we should still use it properly. Do not abuse technology, because in the end, we will be the one who will suffer.

Blogpost 3: How Teens use It

You probably wonder why teens get very addicted with today's technology, don't you? Social networking sites, online games, entertaining websites and good reference. These things are probably the common reasons you could hear when asking a teenager. As a teenager, myself, I was once addicted to video games and networking sites. High-definition graphics fascinates me and really makes me interested to play more. Great sound effects, realistic scenarios, everything is there. I also love hanging out with friends, and when I started joining on social networking sites, I can feel the same thing. I can talk to them wherever and whenever. Furthermore, through this online chatting, I met new people. These things are really good and helpful, yet some people think it destroys our minds. What could be their explanations? Let's find out.

Basically, there are 3 things that teenagers get addicted in. I read the article "Technologies Affecting Modern Teenagers" by Kristen Berry from the site everydaylife.globalpost.com. Basedsocial networks and it can take photos. All-in-one device, everyone wants that. Inspite of its advantages, ce on the article, the most addictive device as a teenager is the cellphone. Except for it's ability to keep in touch with people, cellphones can also have games, applications that gives you access to different kinds of llphones have its negative side also. Teenagers get really dependent to their devices and often make them very lazy, spending all their time with it. Being socially active can also be bad, like taking daily photos of yourself and posting them on facebook or Twitter. Criminals might get some information about you and may able to track you.

Second is the Computers, these are very helpful in terms of studies. Computers can provide unlimited access of information, you can research anything you want and you will receive an answer immediately. They play a large role on a students' life but some parents say that this can very distractive. Teenagers always get tempted to surf the internet, play games and go to social networks. They can't set their priorities straight and they always find it hard to stay on task. The main reasons why students fail to study.

And the third one is Televisions, basically just an entertainment for everyone but this things greatly influenced the youth. They are trying to do what they can see on televisions, probably they feel that they can relate on a certain show. Obesity is also one of the problems that a teenager could get, this is the result of being lazy and spending all day in front of the T.V. 

"Technology is an integral part of nearly every teenager's life", Kristen Berry said. I strongly agree, because I myself can't deny it, for example; every student used to rely on books for information on learning. However, since technology developed, you can say that we can find anything online that we need and that written materials are no longer usable as it used to be. Lastly, the most important thing in having a gadget is being able to entertained by it, just like computer games. Before, previous generations used to find entertainment just like cultural games. 

Because of the new entertainment we discover through technology, parents can't know everything a teenager does. Some even play violent games when they're younger, which affects their behavior and characteristics as they grow up. I read an article entitled "Violent Video games affects Children and Adolescence" by Craig A. Andersen from the site www.herbogeminis.com.  As we know violent crimes by adolescence arouse when violent video games such as GTA. This happens because of the lack of guidance from parents. Parents, nowadays, can't track every move their children do because of the technology that is intensely advanced that people from previous generations that are having a hard time to function to it. It is also said in this article that adolescence these days are easily illed because of the lack of exercise and moving around. Researchers state that high usage of technology will slow down the development of a teenager's brain. Not only does it slow down your brain but it is also hard for adolescence to interact socially with other people. Because technology is everywhere, we can't stop our children from using it but we can limit the amount of hours it can be used. Violent games affect teenager's attitude towards their parents in a bad way that they become rude which makes the relationship with their family as it used to be. Lastly, we can't fully blame the teenagers for playing violent video games because it wouldn't be for their parents buying it for them, they woudn't have to play it. 

According to Andersen, "You must consider more than the age based rating." I totally agree with what Andersen said because the age rating is not always a precise indicator or the content. I, as a teenager, have experienced to play violent games which lead me nowhere. Sooner or later teenagers will realize that playing such violent games is a waste of time. However, as we know it teenagers don't think too wisely that is why parents should always be dependable of what is correct.

In conclusion, it's parents' responsibility to know what is going on with their child's life. They probably bought a gadget that may help their kids, but they don't notice how this device can also distract one's mind. For the teens' side, you must know your limitations. Use the technology in a proper way, this maybe the best way to be entertain, you should know this can also be the worst enemy you could have.

Blogpost 2: Effects on Communication

Instant messaging, texting, sending e-mails and more. These are the newest form of talking to someone. You can stay connected to people 24/7 at anywhere you like. As long as you have technology with you. You don't need to gather all your friends if you want to say something, you can simply call them or send them messages. If you're up to business, you can use e-mails to send requests and reports. It's not necessary to have a physical contact to people. You can do all of that even at home. But all things have its pros and cons. These different forms of communication can  either help you or destroy you. Our communication skills and social behavior could really be affected. Obviously, we can see the effects of this kind of technology on our society, and who are mostly affected? Kids. 

We can really say that the children today are lucky to have an access to these kinds of gadgets. They are able to communicate to people through a very efficient way. Seeing the person they wish to talk to isn't the only way anymore. Just some buttons and few clicks, there you have it, instant messages through your devices. I read the article "How Texting Changes the Way Kids Communicate" by Robin Mejia from the site www.parenting.com. Moms usually have problems with their kids that are spending too much time on touching their screens or pressing buttons, interacting with their friends through games and browsing on different social networking sites. Should they be worried? It's difficult to tell. 

Scientists today are still studying on how this type of communication can affect a human's brain or behavior. Specially about the kids who are really exposed of this kind of process. Kids on this generation basically just want to stay at home where the internet connection is stable. They spend all day long texting and chatting with their peers online. Physical activities and social interactions are very unusual for them. The results of this kind of routine leads to obesity, laziness and having a weak immune system. Instead of exercising everyday, they would just play with their devices. Graphics of the game entertains them, plus they don't need a lot of effort to exert, unlike exercising, they think that they won't get anything after doing it. Children don't know that our body needs to move regularly to have maintain a good circulation of the blood and supply enough oxygen that our body needed. 

The good things about this kind of activities are, kids are safe at home, safe from strangers that might be criminals and they tend to think more, they may lack on physical activities but they are mentally active. Some mothers said that this helps their children to improve their thinking skills. They enhance their creativity and knowledge. Robin Mejia said, "The more richly you engage with someone, the more potential there is for embarrassment." I strongly agree with Sir Robin, this could be one of the reasons why kids today are afraid to socialize. Based on my experiences, at this age, we would rather be quiet than to mingle with people because that act could be deadly. Trusting someone could be deadly. 

Not only kids are affected in this generation but the whole society. Communication plays a massive part everywhere. What could be the pros and cons in this one? I read the article "Impact of Technology on Communication" by Hemangi Harankhedkar from the site www.buzzle.com. It is stated there that the development of technology basically changed our lifestyles. There are postive and negative changes. 

Let focus on the positive changes first, people today are very dependent with technology in terms of communicating with people. Obviously this big world transformed and became like one small village. We can really feel it by having conversations with people internationally. It ain't hard to talk to people on different countries, right? We can even have a group call at the same time, how cool is that? There are no barriers and no limitations, we can still contact people regardless the distance between time and distance. Relationships are strengthen, distance isn't a hidrance now, and that is very helpful for peope with long distance relationships. Better solutions, we don't need to read several books to have access to something, we can exchange thoughts and ideas through networks. Then we came up with better ideas. 

Now on the negative side, the impact on our communication skills are really strong. You probably heard of the people using numbers and different spellings in communication. They call theirselves "jejemon". We can say, they are creating their own language. One of the effects is, reduced social interactions. Interactions today are just being held on social networking sites. Facebook and twitter are some of the popular networking sites. People are really bothered on their life online than in their real social life. Malicious motives, people are using different names and different faces with their bad intentions. 

Hemangi said, "Technology has bettered the communication's process." For me, it really did. It helps a lot of people and changed they way a person thinks. It surely has negative and positive effects but let's try to focus on the positive effects more.

In conclusion, technology really changed the way we communicate with people. But logically thinking, it depends on how we use this kind of process. Use the technology just for communication purposes and not for malicious motives. 

Blogpost 1: Beginning of The New Era

Are you one of those people who wants things in a click or in an instant? Or one of those people who wants a device that acquires mostly everything you need to help you in your daily routine? If not, well, you should! These devices actually exist due to man's inventions, curiousity and endless desire for an easier life. Talking to someone from a distance isn't a hard thing now, you can do it through the use of the Internet. Household chores like washing the dishes and clothes won't be difficult now, man already invented dishwashers and washing machines! How about flying cars? Maybe yes, there are few countries have them already, and still working on it. As you can see, things are being processed instantly and informations are flowing rapidly, and this is where "Technology" as we call it, takes place.

Before these fascinating inventions were born, probably all works are being done by man with their bare hands. No gadgets, no technology, all were just hard work. Compared to texting today, they used birds as messengers, and even men to send their messages directly to the person they wish to communicate, can you imagine how exhausting would that be? So they came up using other means of communications. I read the article "An article on the history of the development of technology" by Nirmala Agarwal from the site www.preservearticles.com. They used several tools like smoke signals and timelines converge. So instead of shouting from a distance, they thought they should develop their tools in communication. 

It is discussed in this article that before 600 BC the progress of technology is very slow because every time they make an invention they do it through trial and error. Now, however, the progress of technology is in the faster pace than its ever been. Through scientific principles and theories, this is achieved. We should all thank people, like Copernicus, Francis and Roger Bacon, Alhazer, and Galileo. These people listed are the ones who developed theories that sped up the pace of technology progress. For example, an electric generator involves the principles of electricity, mechanical engineering, heat conduction, etc. This example is just one of the invention developed when scientific principles were learned. Many more of these principles were used in a better way for us to work less but get done more things. 

As time passes, they discover new things that can help ourselves from spending effort in communicating. This is the time where technology sinks in, man applies knowledge in enhancing their inventions, so they came up with the telegraph, sending messages with the use of electricity and apparently where the telephone was based. 

Agarwal said "Inventors and scientists being an inventive, creative, and curious lot, they spent the next few decades looking for an answer" 

For me, we should never stop ourselves from learning. We are all still in the state of learning, and as we fail, we learn. The same goes as when we fall, we stand. Learning doesn't end unless you die. 

Means of communication was not the only part of Technology. Machines found at home also played a big role in man's life. These inventions are known to make work easier and lot faster. We are lucky to make such things possible and able to use it. These things change the history and the way man thinks. Some of us think that these made us a step closer to the things we can only witness in the movies, futuristic right? However, these inventions somehow corrupt a man's mind. Some of us are getting lazier and very dependent. Some of us are getting socially unstable.

But let's get deep on how these machines are being invented, first. Scientists or some ordinary people spent their lives looking for new discoveries, and their main goal is to make things more convenient for us, humans. I read the article "History of Technology" by Dr. Patricia Baker from the site www.engr.sjsu.edu. This article compare and contrast whether "The discovery of fire was the first technology or was the wheel or the plow the first technology?" Also, this article fully explain the long and complex history of technology. Many parts of this piece shows the derivation of the word technology and technology itself. People like Luna, Wolf, Homer, Hesoid, and Russell defined and connected the word technology in science. For example, Homer and Hesoid defined technology as a “spoken word of manual and craft.” Even though these people gave their definition of technology long time ago, many still argue in their name. Through the subsections of this article, you can see and check out the long history of technology. 

In conclusion, most of us wanted technology one way or another. However, we never thought of the consequences beneath every creation. Technology is good in many ways but the progress of it is faster than we all thought it would be. We don’t know how to slow it down due to all of the curious minds around the world. I personally think why couldn’t we stop for a moment with all of this creating and thinking, and just appreciate what our ancestors have done for this generation. I can’t say that I didn’t like how our world turned out; however, I think that we are moving a little bit too fast. A proof to this thinking is that every child probably have a gadget that they are addicted to. Don’t you notice that every year children that play outside is lesser? This observation is just one of the proof that I can think on top of my head. Moreover, I cannot emphasize more how we should all be thankful to the creators of technology. Because of this, we surely do less work than we’re suppose to.