I enjoyed this article because it helped me to better understand how human actions effect the environment and that, even though many of the effects may not be immediately noticed by the masses, they do have serious and sometimes irreversible consequences.
Even while at first the article seemed repetitive, almost as if the author was overreacting, after further analysis of the facts and statistics the author puts forth in the article I appreciated his point to a greater degree and realized how serious this problem is. It also made me understand that in society we do need people who overreact and make a big deal about our environment. Even though I’m not an environmentalist I do agree with their ideas and feel that they contribute to the balance we have in society. If no one worries about our environment then we would never know how our actions really affect it.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Technological Literacy of U.S. Population Not Well-Assessed (Blog 2)
http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=11691
This article points out that technological understanding, also known as technological literacy, is an issue that is not well assessed in America or around the world. The author, Michelle Strikowsky, points out how agencies and companies have always conducted tests and surveys regarding people’s opinion and attitude towards technology, but have never conducted a single well-designed test on how well people understand technology.
I personally agree with the idea this article proposes. The level to which we take advantage of recent technological advances can only be proportional to our level of understanding of technology, which brings up our next question: How can we make sure that everyone understands recent technological advances, or at least knows how to address this problem if there is no reliable data in this area? Not only should we do diagnoses and tests on how much the average person understands about technology, but cultural and social backgrounds should also be taken into account. “People from different cultures and social backgrounds experience technology in different ways” says Strikowsky, and if these factors are not taken into account then technology would only benefit a few and selective group of people.
Essentially, Strikowsky argues that the collection of data on technological literacy by government on all levels (as well as by the private sector) could allow provide data with which to reform teachers education, reform the technological education, and give a strong basis upon which to judge the level to which people in general truly understand technology.
This article points out that technological understanding, also known as technological literacy, is an issue that is not well assessed in America or around the world. The author, Michelle Strikowsky, points out how agencies and companies have always conducted tests and surveys regarding people’s opinion and attitude towards technology, but have never conducted a single well-designed test on how well people understand technology.
I personally agree with the idea this article proposes. The level to which we take advantage of recent technological advances can only be proportional to our level of understanding of technology, which brings up our next question: How can we make sure that everyone understands recent technological advances, or at least knows how to address this problem if there is no reliable data in this area? Not only should we do diagnoses and tests on how much the average person understands about technology, but cultural and social backgrounds should also be taken into account. “People from different cultures and social backgrounds experience technology in different ways” says Strikowsky, and if these factors are not taken into account then technology would only benefit a few and selective group of people.
Essentially, Strikowsky argues that the collection of data on technological literacy by government on all levels (as well as by the private sector) could allow provide data with which to reform teachers education, reform the technological education, and give a strong basis upon which to judge the level to which people in general truly understand technology.
Homework Assignment Feb 01
1. Write a mini-blog about the reading and what you appreciated or found interesting therein.
2. Also discuss whether you found the notation system I asked you to use helpful.
This article talks about society’s approach towards reading nowadays as compared to in the past. It shows the effects and positive consequences of reading not only in your daily life (such as work, productivity, etc.) but also in your brain. I totally agree with this article, because even though whether or not a person reads will not exclusively determine if his success in life, it surely plays a very important role. The author also points out that even though for some people reading has been made more accessible because of technology (web newspapers, blogs, etc.), in general, computers and the advent of television have significantly decreased the amount of time that an average persons spends reading. What I liked the most out of the article is that all the facts and examples that the author gives really puts into perspective how staggering the situation currently is, and that we need to work fast to find a solution for this emerging problem.
Regarding the notation system we had to use, I personally didn’t like it. The main reason is that I think that, with experience and practice, each individual finds the methods that are most productive for him personally in terms of note-taking and comprehension. Thus, trying to adjust to such a system which is not optimal for the performer decreases productivity.
2. Also discuss whether you found the notation system I asked you to use helpful.
This article talks about society’s approach towards reading nowadays as compared to in the past. It shows the effects and positive consequences of reading not only in your daily life (such as work, productivity, etc.) but also in your brain. I totally agree with this article, because even though whether or not a person reads will not exclusively determine if his success in life, it surely plays a very important role. The author also points out that even though for some people reading has been made more accessible because of technology (web newspapers, blogs, etc.), in general, computers and the advent of television have significantly decreased the amount of time that an average persons spends reading. What I liked the most out of the article is that all the facts and examples that the author gives really puts into perspective how staggering the situation currently is, and that we need to work fast to find a solution for this emerging problem.
Regarding the notation system we had to use, I personally didn’t like it. The main reason is that I think that, with experience and practice, each individual finds the methods that are most productive for him personally in terms of note-taking and comprehension. Thus, trying to adjust to such a system which is not optimal for the performer decreases productivity.
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