When thinking about my own life and the means I use to communicate, it is quite evident that technology is largely involved. Through my daily interactions using the phone, blackberry chat, msn messenger and facebook, it is quite clear that technology helps me communicate with many individuals I may not have the chance to be face-to-face with. In accordance with the text, “media multitasking” would be the term best used to describe me. Being able to communicate through technology allows me to multitask by using multiple messaging services, talking the phone and even watching T.V. Many may feel that this interferes with a person’s ability to concentrate on a conversation. However, I would argue that it is an acquired skill that allows you to be more efficient with your time.
These forms of telecommunications may have replaced the need for face-to-face conversations, but they have also opened up a whole new ability to communicate and build relationships with those far away. They have helped in eliminating borders and allowing communication to be “easier” between individuals. We can now form collaborations with those from others parts of the world and educate ourselves on the diverse thoughts and opinions that exist with the world. We can put our minds together as one, and help each other out when in need. For example, Google has become my best friend. Whenever I have a question that I do not know the answer to, I simply pick up my phone, go on my browser and google the response. If no response is written, (which occurs often), I type my question and wait. Within minutes, I usually have a response waiting for me. By doing this, someone else in the world has written a response to my question and my problem is easily solved.
I believe that since this new form of telecommunication is inescapable, we should be teaching children how to gain maximum benefit from it. We should work to develop programs that allow children to communicate with other children from different parts of the world; re-introduce the concept of “pen-pals”, by making “e-pals”. Have the children work on units with children from other parts of the world. This will help broaden their ideas and will help them develop a sense of how others think. Through long distance collaboration, children can learn worldly perspectives on issues and concepts, inevitably making them more intellectual.
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