Don't Fear the Digital

I completely agree with Steven Johnson's article "Don't Fear the Digital." Our world is rapidly changing to a society that is dependent on the internet and computers. However a lot of poeple find this chagne to be disaterous. In this article, Johnsol illustrates that kids who use the internet and computer are "mastering interfaces, searchign for information,maintaining, virtual social networks, and multitasking." These are activities that will better prepare students for the "real world." The real world is no longer masteing algebra (which in my opinion it never should have been) its being able to function in a technological society. In this digital society, students, on their own, are learnign to communicate virtually, research topics, write about their opinions, and set up web pages. How could this be a bad thing?

ANother part of the article that I found intersting was the idea that soem people think the computer is weakening the social skills of kids. I think that is absolutely ridiculous. I agree with Stevens that sutdents aren't "using technology to replace their real-world social life; they're using technology to augment it." We can try to ignore the social aspects that technology brings, but those who do will not be able to funtion in the outside world. Kids must be allowed and encouraged to use the internet to communicate.