25-01-2013, 02:26 PM
Analysis of “Students’ technology use and its effects on peer relationships, academic involvement, and healthy lifestyles
1Analysis of “Students’.pdf (Size: 61 KB / Downloads: 69)
Abstract
As technology continues to grow by leaps and bounds, its impact on society as whole and education specifically continues to be questioned. Institutions of higher learning are compelled to examine how technology and its use impact student performance at both the academic and social level. As new research suggest, this complicated issue shows technology’s use for academic and social purposes has both advantages and disadvantages and it will be up to individuals within universities to determine how best to integrate technology into the dynamic campus environment.
Today’s college students have access to a myriad of technology that could have only been dreamt of a few short years ago. Technologies such as e-mail, blogs, cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and gaming communities have created an environment where personal contact is no longer needed in order for students to communicate with each other. In fact, in today’s technology driven society conveniences such as tele-commuting and on-line purchasing have made it possible to perform all the functions necessary to maintain one’s existence without ever leaving the home.
However, as this technology has invaded every day life, some have begun to question whether we are becoming more isolated from each other and whether or not this new technology is actually improving quality of life. Some could claim that on-line social networks such as Facebook and blog sites allow more introverted people to express themselves in ways that they may not normally. In addition, it could be surmised that these groups allow people to easily find others with common interests and thus provide greater opportunities for interaction among a more diverse group of people.
That said, it could also be argued that these groups add to social isolation as defined by personal, face-to-face contact with other individuals. These technological walls can also be used to create on-line personas which may be very different from an individual’s true personality. In that case, how valuable then are technologies in creating environments where people can interact on a truly personal level? Furthermore, in the case of education, can these technologies actually act as a hindrance to student’s academic and personal growth?