I have a theory about today's children. That is, their brains are being wired differently than past generations, because of technology.
They seem to see the world in terms of push a button and "things" happen. It doesn't seem to matter what is happening behind the button, just that they are getting the desired results.
The only people that understand what is happening behind the buttons are engineers, scientist or technologist. So, there are two sets of people, users (common people without degrees in technology, but they know what buttons to push), and developers (skilled people with the knowledge and or degrees who can bring about advancements in technology.
With each advancement comes a new "button" that users must understand what the effect will be. Therefore, they (the users) are considered to be tech savvy.
Just my theory.
Garrett, welcome to the blogosphere!
ReplyDelete-kj-
There was a really interesting article I read last summer (I wish I could remember if it was Time or Newsweek or what edition!) but it was all about how the jobs of the future will be creativity-based and not so much wrote memory. It talked about how they have a specific test that they administer to children to show their creativity. Though I'm sure the test isn't perfect,a sample of Japan's students and America's students were tested, and Japan's students were much more creative than American students. Not only that, but American students' creativity was decreasing since the test some years earlier...
ReplyDeleteI wish I could remember actual numbers from the article. I tried to look for it but couldn't find it online. It is quite interesting, though, how we need more people to create the innovations of tomorrow, as the other jobs will start to dwindle as they are replaced by those new technologies! We really have to get our educational system in gear for this major switch. (Insert stereotypical standardized testing complaint here.) :)
Interesting. I recently read an article that suggested that future job security will be based on how creative and innovative you are. I embrace the creativity that technology has revived within the school systems. To add my own personal theory, as a left-handed person in a right-handed world, I've always excelled in classes wherein I had the freedom to be creative. These new 21st century technologies are so fascinating and should allow many needed opportunities for left brainers to tap into their inner person.
ReplyDeletehttp://beyond-it-inc.com/GKEblog/right-brain-skills-for-21st-century-jobs.html
We had posted back and forth about this a last week, Samuel. I find your theory very interesting, which leads me to another question...what is your take on technology being invented from what the environment is doing or technology would be invented regardless of what is taking place? I always reading your responses! Take it easy.
ReplyDeleteKen
Now that is a great question!!!!
ReplyDeleteMore of Sam's theories, (remember, I am a biology major) anyway, as humans make advances in technology, the environment is changing. For example, the technology to cause combustion (fire) has caused good and bad changes in our health, the landscape (slash and burn farming), the combustion engine, and we have taken fire technology to the nuclear arena. The environmental damage done by radiation is well documented and on-going as we speak (write).
But, on the horizon is Green Technology, which the world needs because the degradation of the environment is forcing humans to develop technologies to undo the damage done by earlier inventions. I love this topic but I better stop and do some multi-tasking, i.e. grade these student's papers. Let's talk some more.