Technology: the Ever-Growing Necessity

How would we survive without technology? How were people before our time able to contact someone is less than a minute a thousand miles away? How were they able to navigate to an unknown area? Today there is a form of technology for every need. Phones and computers can be used for; communication, getting directions, and any piece of information a person could ever want to obtain. Technology affects the way individuals communicate, learn and think. People are immersed in the world of technology. Society reaps the rewards of technology on a daily basis, and without it, many would be left in utter confusion and chaos. Technology improves society by making it easier to communicate, interact, learn, and navigate in our ever-changing and constantly expanding world. The world would not be as connected without technology. One form of technology that is essential to the communicating is the cell phone. Before the invention of the telephone, communication was slow and limited to Morse code or sending letters. Now, in addition to calling people, there are a multiple means of communication including email, instant messaging and text messaging. James Katz, a professor from Rutgers University, states “Current statistics indicate that two billion people currently have subscriptions for cellular phones, referred to in Europe as “mobiles,” enough phones for one third of the planet's population” (Katz). Cell phones make it possible for a family in Africa to communicate with other family members in America instantaneously. This is important because it allows families to communicate in times of crisis or news without the wait of news sent by mail. Cell phones also make is possible for parents to communicate and keep in touch with their kids at school. This allows parents to rest assured that if their child is in danger, they will be able to contact their parents. Technological communication keeps families close no matter how far away they are. Katz believes “that cell phones, by allowing people to insulate their private interactions from the culture around them, will encourage a kind of “walled garden” of micro-cultures that is complex, but exclusive” (Katz). Cell phones along with email and other messaging devices not only allow for communication between people, their families and loved ones but also the expansion of cultures. People can interact with different people and talk to them about their cultures. For example, email allows students to have email pen pals in other countries, providing an easy foray into foreign culture without leaving their desks. All these technological devices have demonstrated how important and easy it is to interrelate with the world and its cultures. Along with communication through phone and forms of messaging, social interactions between people have strengthened due to sites such as facebook, twitter and myspace. Social networking sites have “helped people worldwide link to others with common interests for conversation and support” (Clemmitt). People can connect to others they do not know well enough to talk on the phone. Online dating allows people to find their soul mate without the hassles of going on multiples dates. In a recent survey, individuals who are a part “of online groups…say the Internet brings them into more contact with people outside their social class or their racial or age group”(Clemmitt). The Internet promotes diversity. People are willing contact people who are different. “The Internet is much, much more than just a vast library of information: It is also a community . . . a gathering place . . . where you can find experts on almost any topic . . . and share your expertise with the world,” (Conte). The Internet, if used correctly, can be an easy accessible and superior learning tool for people of all ages. Today five year-olds are now familiar with computers and have the ability to access information only one click away. Online books, magazines and informational videos allow people to learn and obtain information without going to the library. Not only can the Internet provide so much information, but also it is so easy and fast to gather this information. There are even people in live chat rooms waiting to help students learn how to do physics problems or to learn about the Civil War. Here, at the University of Maryland, most science and math classes have online assignments. These online assignments are convenient as well as helpful. They give feedback and have hints on how to solve problems. Maryland also has a site designated for students, called Blackboard. Blackboard connects students to their classes and professors online. Assignments, test information and lectures are posted on this site. Without the Internet none of these learning tools would be available.
The Internet is not the only piece on technology that is an excellent source of education. There are now video games, computer games and hand held gaming devices all with educational themes. Professor Gee of Arizona State University describes video game environments as “‘situated learning’ because the player is situated in an actual problem-solving space” (Gee). He explains that video games are good practice for problem solving. Gee also says, “that educators can learn a lot from computer games about effective ways to teach” (Gee). Gee gives an example that games provide information, as it is needed not all at once. If teachers can mimic the way video games teach by teaching a skill, then having student use it before teaching the next skill, they could reach their students better. Video games are not only educational when students use them, but they also give insight to teachers on new and improved ways of teaching. Any person in the world can be told the exact coordinates of their location in a matter of minutes. Today, with the right equipment, it is impossible to truly be lost. With satellites receiving and sending back information back to GPS devices, a person’s exact location can be seen with access to this satellite information. This information is also being used in the medical field. Caregiver’s of patients with dementia are using this GPS technology to track down lost patients, who are incapable of remembering or knowing where they are (Landau). Along with the ability to tell where a person is, GPS systems can be used to help people reach a destination with step-by-step instruction. Before, an individual would have to refer to a map and plan the trip. Now, simply plugging in the destination address is sufficient and the GPS will plan a route considering construction sites, closed roads, and weather conditions. Time and distance are also included along with the instructions. The benefits of this technology are enormous. It saves time and is safer because people do not constantly have to look at a map, but can rather hear a voice telling them “right” or “left”. GPS navigation, positioning, and its benefits are proof that technology is more advantageous to society than detrimental. Technology has confirmed that it is capable of helping society in the way people act, learn and think. It aids in communication via phone and the Internet. It also assists in education. Technology is such an important part of the world and world culture so it needs to continue improve and develop. It interconnects all people of the world. Technology allows society to improve for best. Without technology, different parts of the world would be cut off from others. It would be harder to communicate, learn and ultimately live. Technology and society go hand in hand and are vital to each other’s survival.

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