Technological Implications: Actively research, analyse and evaluate the transformative impact of global media upon young people’s lives

Read the Lupton article ‘Digital Bodies’. As you read, pay particular attention to the concepts that she is using to describe the emergence of new human–digital technology assemblages.
Watch the Case TEDS lecture ‘We are all cyborgs now’ https://www.ted.com/talks/amber_case_we_are_all_cyborgs_now
Read Williamson’s ‘Smart Schools in Sentient Cities’ online article. Consider the significance of the notion of schools and other educational institutions as ‘sensing environments’ which ‘datafy the learning process’ and produce ‘quantified students’. http://dmlcentral.net/smart-schools-in-sentient-cities/

Week Two

If you want to extend your understanding about the interface of technologies-childhoods-pedagogies undertake additional readings within the Supplementary Materials (Optional)
Research key concepts from the following list. Some of these concepts were introduced by Lucy in her Module 3 lecture, but are still relevant to Module 4. Others are new to Module 4: Embodiment; relationality; hybridity; cyborgs; human-technology assemblages, sensing environments; smart schools.
Make your wiki posting based upon your web research into the meaning and/or application of one of these key concepts.
Draft your discussion forum posting. Make sure you closely follow the instructions within the discussion forum site and that you address all of the marking criteria.

Activity 1
Please make a 350 word contribution to this wiki.

Chose one concept from the list in the Module 4 Guide and already entered as a section in this wiki. Research it on the internet. Click on ‘edit section’ (of your chosen concept). Using your own words,

either

Offer a working definition of the key concept
or

Discuss the application of on of the key concepts by offering a real life example of it
Provide the URL link to any website from which you have taken your information.

Activity 2
Discussion Forum
How are new technologies reshaping childhood and/or education? What do you think about this in relation to your own context?
Answer this question in a 600 word posting. Frame your answer around one of the key concepts researched in the Module 4 wiki and one of the readings. Do not just quote from the wiki or from the reading. Include your own opinions about and/or a critical appraisal of the issues raised and discuss their relevance in relation to your own educational context. Please write on educational context of Bhutan. You can find more information about Bhutan and issues in Google.
Before you make this posting, please refer to the instructions in the unit outline (5b) paying particular attention to the marking criteria.
You will receive a mark and feedback on your posting following these marking criteria.

Marking Rubric for Wiki and Forum Online Postings

Example of discussion Forum which has been posted by my friend.

New technologies reshaping childhood and education in Bhutan
by Kelzang Lhaden – Wednesday, 14 October 2015, 11:27 PM

The introduction of new technologies in Bhutan in late 1960s ended the era of isolation and since then it has been a very important part of every individual. New technologies have made a profound impact in reshaping childhood and education in the contemporary digital era with a major change in digital embodiment as put forward by Lupton (2015). Technology and human are inseparable where both are dependable upon each other as mentioned by Case (2012) where technology and human co-create each other. Teaching in schools have moved beyond simple lecture into a technologically driven classroom. Teachers today use overhead projectors and computers to teach which has enhanced the teaching and learning experience of both teacher and students.

Berson and Berson (2010) mentioned that young children are in a age surrounded by information and communication technology where ICT has become a prominent force in their lives. In this digital age Bhutanese students are connected to the rest of the world through new technologies with the internet facilities provided in the schools. Facebook, twitter, youtube, google has in a way helped children shape themselves as digital children born in the era of sophisticated digital world. Acquisition of knowledge and skills have become more easier from new technologies than from what is taught in schools. With the introduction of ICT in schools under Chigphen Rigphel Program, many positive changes have taken place in the lives of children. Children are encouraged to go beyond classroom learning and explore in the internet on their own. They are taught the basics of ICT and how they can use them in day to day learning. As pointed out by Berson and Berson (2010), ICT as a teaching and learning tool provides opportunities for children to play with friends, imagine and create. In relation to this one remarkable outcome of digital technology would be the opportunities our children got to carry out powerpoint presentations on certain topics which they have to search from the net and present to the class. This helped children make use of technologies in a meaningful way to gain knowledge and information. this also broadens their learning experiences from technologies.

I personally feel that technologies enhances teaching where a simple lecture method becomes more interesting when combined with images, video clips and guest lecture speaking through Skype. Teaching and learning becomes more interactive where both teacher and students enjoy the experience. ‘Smart schools’ as described by Williamson (2014) would be a dream school for every Bhutanese teacher and student. Smart school is definitely in future tense as mentioned by Williamson (2014) where people would learn from and about machines and machines would learn from and about the people.

Nevertheless, while we use technologies as tool for instruction one must also not overlook the educational implications and ethical issues associated with their use (Berson & Berson, 2010). Youtube, Facebook, twitter and other networking sites are easily accessible for anyone. With the positive outcomes from the usage of new technologies, technologies have potential negative consequences in relation to cyber related crimes. one such issue currently of great concern in Bhutan is children getting involved in sexting and cyber bullying.

With both positive and negative outcomes of new technologies, I feel technology has helped reshape childhood and education system in a small developing country like Bhutan where people are still learning to adapt new digital technologies in their lives.

Reference

Case, A. (2012). We are all Cyborgs now. Retrieved from

Berson, I.R. & Berson, M.J. (2010). High-Tech Tots: Childhood in a Digital World. Information Age Publishing, 1–4.

Lupton, D. (2015). Digital Bodies. Pre-print of a chapter to be published in Routledge Handbook of Physical Cultural Studies, edited by D. Andrews, M. Silk and H. Thorpe. London: Routledge.

Williamson, B. (October 30, 2014). Smart schools in sentient cities. Retrived October 15, 2015 from http://dmlcentral.net/smart-schools-in-sentient-cities/
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