Is the Education System Ignoring a Possibly "Great" Tool?

The article “Footprints in the Digital Age” written by Will Richardson, demonstrates that the education system is not taking interest and teaching children how to harness tools such as the internet and social sites.

The big issue for me is that why does leaving a footprint on endless webs of random information trump the importance of physically getting out into the world and benefiting it in ways other than blogs, social websites and other devices on the internet? In the beginning of the article, it sounded to me like the writer didn’t want his kids to get a poor reputation when they get older or be thought of badly by people who see that there isn’t much information about them. Of course it is important to express ourselves and show who you are.  It’s a part of our identity.

“A recent National School Boards Association survey (2007) announced that upward of 80% of young people who are online are networking and that 70% of them are regularly discussing education-related topics.” If 80% of young people are using this tool and are actually learning from it, shouldn’t the education system use it and teach it? The internet will become more and more a way of life for people, whether we like it or not. Let’s get a jump start and harness its power for good. An easier way to teach ideas and lessons is always welcome and appreciated. When we talk about the ways of simplicity, we also have to think about traditions. At what point are we sacrificing tradition and what we know and love for the easy way to get things done? When e-mail was created people got a little too caught up in it.  I for one have forgotten how to mail a letter.

Perhaps the most important concern about the “digital footprint” philosophy is the safety. How do we know when our youth is safe from people on the internet that want to do them harm?  I guess that it’s up to the education system to teach right from wrong and how to be safe. This could also be partially why the education system doesn’t want to have anything to do with these “tools.” They don’t want to be liable if some mishap occurs and all the blame comes rushing onto the ones that taught the students.

The story of Laura Stockman, the ten year old, is an example of success in this realm of blogs and social networks. If a ten year old from Buffalo, New York can make a difference, imagine what a teenager could do for his community or even the world. This issue is divided between using this tool to make a difference and leave a good “footprint.” The other side of the battle is that we could lose our traditions and, possibly, our safety.  But a good question is:  Why is the education system (the system that creates what we know) not stepping in and doing something about it?

Sesame Street Detracts From More Important Matters

Have American parents run out of issues to worry about? In the article/video “Sesame Streets Cleavage Problem” written by The Daily Beast, Katy Perry was singing a parody of “Hot ‘N Cold” with one of Sesame Street’s main stars (Elmo). Apparently, a low cut dress is too much skin for preschoolers. It’s pretty ridiculous.

                Now, what has the world come to when parents have become so overprotective that they have to complain about everything that isn’t politically correct? It’s disappointing to think that the new generation of parents has to make sure their son or daughter is living in a perfect world. It comes to a point where it’s not about Katy Perry showing some chest skin on public access channels. It’s about how certain people focus on the small, insignificant issues that don’t need attention. I feel that there could be many more things that we could be focusing on. Like Craigslist sex trafficking, the two wars in the Middle East, Aids in Africa, Haiti, and health care. (Just to name a few.) Small problems like Sesame Street showing a little cleavage draws attention away from the bigger spectrum of issues.

                It seems that every time there is a crisis in the world we broadcast with CNN, FOX News, and MSNBC. Then, one day it all disappears like it never even happened. I think this is because of a few inconsequential disclosures about something that somebody doesn’t like. People have to make it into a big deal that gets everyone else involved. Do you remember the last time you heard anything about Haiti? But I bet you’ve heard about what Sandra Bullock is going to do next. Or read about how crazy Mel Gibson is. It takes up more time and effort than the more critical concerns.

                Sure, it’s good to express opinions and let people know how you feel. But when people make exaggerations and over complicate tiny issues, it just makes Americans more stereotypical and obnoxious. The point I’m trying to make is that there is a time and a place for certain things. Complaining about boobs on the boob tube is like trying to put out a fire with breaths of air, it might give credence to some issues but in big picture it seems like a fool’s errand.

What is the Internet and Google Doing to Our Culture?

After I read the article “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” By Nicholas Carr, it really made me think about what the internet and computers have done to us, and for us. In the article, the writer talked about how his mind was reprogramming itself in the way that the internet had taught him. He also said that it was getting harder for him to read long literature.

                I have never liked or hated reading. But when it is required,  I will read it. I used to love reading. The topics were interesting, I was focused. Now, it’s gotten harder and harder to concentrate. As I am writing this blog, I am continuously distracted by my cat (who is just sitting). With all of the lessons leaned about the internet we start to use the shortcuts and cheat codes in actual life. When I read I find myself skimming through the paragraphs then I end up re-reading through a whole page and still not getting all of the information. A lot of times when I read, I think about other things like football and when I’m going to hang out with friends.

I usually try to avoid using my computer; mostly because I know that I will end up looking at ridiculous sites and stupid Facebook comments. When the internet shows hyperlinks that lead to another website, I’m drawn to them like a moth to a flame. Without any big and shocking headlines or highlights, I’m on to the next page for more info, even thought all of what I needed was right there. It’s website entrapment, but the only thing bad your doing is hurting your back in your computer chair and wasting your time. In some cases I think that the internet has made me less smart and more skeptical. I used to believe anything I saw on the internet, which was a bad idea. Now I can’t trust anything it says, which is kind of weird because I use Wikipedia a lot.

Dependency on computers is a hot topic; it even has some science fiction behind it. Like in the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey.” The people on board were too dependant on the computer systems and artificial intelligence. The “Terminator” franchise was based off of the same principles. After a long time away from more “primitive” machinery and styles, we commonly forget how to do certain tasks. Like write a letter and send it correctly or actually talk on the phone. The traditional lifestyles have been lost in many places. Those traditions are what keeps us as individuals and give us a sense of heritage.

I am particularly interested in survival. I know it’s off topic but bear with me. I like to learn about the way things were done back in the olden days. When farmers used to use horse drawn plows and boil there water before they drank it. The good old days of mountaineering were also interesting. You see? If we forget about how these things are done we might as well hop in the pot and get ready to be eaten. If for any reason we had to revert back to these methods due to some kind of trouble, we wouldn’t survive without this knowledge and skill.

When we focus on maximum speed, efficiency, and output, we sacrifice some of the more important factors. Quality is much more valuable than quantity. That’s why Swiss clocks are the most expensive and rare, they are made from fine craftsmen, not a huge factory in China.

In the end, it is futile to resist technological advancement. If Google doesn’t create the first artificial intelligence, someone else will. This was also displayed in the “Terminator” franchise. So the only thing we really can do is try to hold on to our viewpoints, traditions, skills, and most importantly, our individuality.

What Craigslist Isn't Diong to Stop Sex Trafficking

I watched a video called “Critic praises Craigslist move to censor ads, calls for more info.” It was about what Craigslist is doing to stop crimes in the adult services section. Most of the illegal activity is directly linked to under aged sex trafficking. In the video it states that Craigslist is doing nothing to prevent sex trafficking of young teenagers. What I don’t understand is that the people of Craigslist have the power and resources to do something about it yet they sit and twiddle there thumbs.

Horrible things are happening to these innocent young women and nobody is doing a thing to stop it. When Craigslist has a section devoted to adult services, it is going to be abused. Many of these girls are forced into this business of prostitution against there will. The question is what should Craigslist be doing to stop this wave of crime and atrocities. People who refer to online sex trafficking sites they don’t mention anything other than Craigslist. It is also referred to as the Wall Mart of sex trafficking sites. Now, there is a blog on the Craigslist website explaining that they screen through all of the advertisements and will report any thing unusual to the authorities. But, when CNN asked inspector Brian Bray of the D.C prostitution enforcement unit; he said that they haven’t gotten any calls from Craigslist about this subject matter. That is basically lying to our face. And that makes me and a lot of people mad.

When an interview was conducted with the founder of Craigslist the reporter asked “What are you guys doing to protect these girls?” There was a pause for more than 8 seconds before another question was asked. That really shows how serious this issue is. When the simplest question was asked, he had no answer. Hundreds of thousands of profane and seductive ads since the blog post and fewer than one hundred have been reported. This makes me feel like no one at Craigslist cares about these poor teenagers. Then to try and get out of these allegations, Craigslist blames all of this on CNN and the reporter who was basically the messenger.

Informatin Connected to Learning

After watching the video “A Vision of Students Today” I found myself thinking about how little we actually learn out of all the information that is thrown at us. It shocks me that students in collage are trying to learn even though there are so many roadblocks holding them back. The fact that these students are actually succeeding is amazing.
When I saw all of the facts in this video for the first time, I didn’t know what to think. But, the second time I viewed the video, it really sunk in. The fact that only 18% of your teachers will know your name is somewhat heart wrenching. I love it when I have a good connection with a teacher. It gives me a since of reinforcement when I know a teacher believes in me. Not having that connection makes it harder to talk to that teacher and even ask questions. It also makes me not want to do my best work, which is not good. An average class size of 115 is outrageous. One on one time is one of the most important teaching methods. At a certain point, the failure of a student is the student’s fault. When a student spends half the time in class on the computer doing things that aren’t related to the class, they have to take ownership of their mistakes. I do think that collage should incorporate more technological methods of teaching and keeping the students involved in the curriculum. I mean half of a student’s 26.5 hour day is on either the phone, online or listening to music. The education system could do something about this by selecting more interesting subjects to the average student. Therefore producing more connections and ideas about a subject, keeping the students interested. People write more online than they ever do on paper, which says something about how students think, learn, and interact.