Thing # 2 - Thougts about Web 2.0

Wow! The Machine is Us/ing Us was fast! I never had any idea that all those characters mean something. I had already seen Shift Happens and was amazed both times at the facts and the rate of growth of technology. I wonder what life will be like for my children 10 years from now? I truly believe that technology can be a wonderful tool for learning, linking people all over the world and opening up an endless vault of knowledge. A Vision of K-12 Students Today made me think about how technology can reach kids who wouldn't necessarily feel comfortable or even be able to compose a traditional report or paper and allow/provide them the opportunity to express themselves in so many ways! To be honest, though, I wonder if we will eventually lose the "human" aspect of communication. In my opinion, there's something to be said in seeing someone's eyes when communicating and taking social cues from a person's inflection and body language. We lose all that when blogging, texting, instant messaging, etc.
Where will our privacy go if everything we search, say, compose, etc. is out there for all the world to see? Like the song says, "I miss Mayberry..." I know... that's not 21st century thinking but sometimes it's exactly how I feel. It seems we have so much on our plates and life just keeps expecting us to move faster and add more things to do in order to keep up.

On a more professional note... I love using technology in my working world. It has made life much easier and more efficient. This year was the first time I took an on-line course and expanding my learning pathways. I search the web all the time and am carried on adventures by clicking on links.... Digital learning is the new way of life. I must get on board I suppose. My kids know no other way of life. In this computer/technology age, I find our possibilities for learning, endless.