The Effect of Technology on Human Welfare
The effect of technology on human welfare has been a historical debate over the years. With the rise of globalization and technological innovation, the adoption of various types of technology has been witnessed across the globe. Today, many people use communication technologies including social media and updated phone gadgets to communicate with their social spheres and learn in the classroom. The effects of these advancements, however, have been received with mixed reactions as supporters of technology assume that it enhances growth and development while the opponents associate technology with negative psycho-social impacts. In reality, technology creates a positive impact on the human mind as it enhances learning and improves the way individuals think.
Enhancing Learning and Writing
Technology has enabled individuals, particularly students, to make sense of their learning and writing process. As they get to use technology tools such as academic electronic databases and journals, they get to learn different writing styles. In her article, Our Semi-literate Youth? Not So Fast?, Andrea Lunsford noted that social media platforms as well as technology learning tools expand the brain. In conducting a longitudinal study among at Stanford University which involved189 students, Lunsford and her colleagues found that technology impacted the students' minds. After reviewing the out-of-class writings that the students had made, most of the contents including PowerPoint presentations, research essays, lab reports, honors theses, texting and mails, and problematic sets, it was clear that the student made diverse writing (Lunsford 3). In addition, the broad writing options adjusted by writing styles in accordance with the audience and occasion. Furthermore, it was revealed that the students' writing was above average as they attempted to write contents that were meaningful to themselves and the surrounding environment.
Thinking Abilities and Writing Tools
This impact has also been supported by Sherry Turkle who believes that the writing tools enhance thinking abilities. In her article, How Computers Change the Way We Think, the author compares the effect of technology on thinking and word processing. She states that the Vermont Country Store once advertised a manual typewriter which enables individuals using it to "compose their own thought" (Turkle 4). In an attempt to support the positive impacts of technology, Turkle asserted that it is possible to manipulate the computer texts displayed on the screen to see how it look faster than when looking for the meaning of the word. As such, in pedagogical terms, technological enable dedicated students to become better writers as it enables them to revise their content, rearrange words or paragraphs, and experiment shape and tone of the essay. This claim has further been supported by professional writers who believe that they cannot think without working with computers.
Information Conceptualization and Interpretation
In addition to gaining understanding of different learning styles, technology has further increased the information conceptualization and interpretation. Amidst the traditional learning systems, individuals have expanded understanding of writing contexts and are able to apply different styles of writing in different contexts. According to Lunsford, students engage frequently in texting and emailing by use of different networking sites. This has impacted their tones, writing styles, and writing formats in different ranges. The author gives an illustration of a student writing to a friend and another to the teacher. In the case of the friend's letter, slangs like "Whadda-ya-know" and asterisks have been used. However, in an internship report, the same student uses official language with no abbreviation or shortened terms. The author notes, "These young people are for the most part aware of the context and audience for their writing—and they make the adjustments necessary to address them effectively." Thus, technology enhances the capability of students to learn and present variable contents in different settings.
Improving Intelligent Quotient
Technology improves the intelligent quotient of individuals as the advanced learning tools enhance thinking and creativity abilities. Amidst the assumption made by researchers that electronic technologies such as PowerPoint and search engines reduce content information to mere bullet points, such platforms create opportunity for advanced learning. In an article, Mind Over Mass Media, Steven Pinker noted that such assumptions lack no basis as scientist have proven contradicting results. For instance, since the introduction of comic books, rather than escalating the delinquency rates, the crime levels fell greatly (Pinker para. 4). In addition, televisions, rock videos, and transistor radios have improved the I.Q scores of individuals. Further, the author claims that science today requires even more brainwork with the advanced technology; most scientists have improved the quality of science with more discoveries made to improve the philosophical, historical, and cultural developments. With the advancement in different sectors, it is evident that technology enhances the I.Q as the brain functionality increases.
Developing Literacy with Enabling Technologies
Furthermore, individuals are able to improve their learning as well as develop literacy with the enabling technologies. According to Lunsford, different learning mediums improve learning particularly those that take place away from the classroom as well as variable literacy activities including videos, photos, comics, digital stories, and video documentaries. This form of kid-driven learning entails the use of digital media that enhances collaboration thereby impacting the literacy development process. Digital evolution causes brain changes through enhancement of literacy as the learning system changes from the discourse consumption to a more collaborative and participatory approach in which the context and audience are put into consideration. Unlike the traditional learning method where there was single static standard of correctness, technology offers diverse array of learning opportunities. Thus, students are able to improve their conceptualization abilities as they use multidisciplinary approaches that embrace various learning styles.
Summary
In summary, technology use improves the state of the mind. The study revealed that current technology enables students to make sense of their learning and writing process particularly as a result of advanced learning tools including search engines, online journals, online books, and shared discussions. Technology has also been found to improve the thinking ability of individuals as in the case of a manual typewriter which enables individuals using it to "compose their own thought." In addition, technology has increases the information conceptualization and interpretation through application of several different styles of writing in different contexts. Technology improves the intelligent quotient of individuals as the advanced learning tools such as PowerPoint and search engines. When embedded in culture, technology can support various aspects of democracy including diversity, tolerance, and freedom of expression.
Works Cited
Lunsford, Andrea A. "Our Semi-literate Youth? Not So Fast.” College Composition and Communication, 59:4 (2008): 1-4.
Pinker, Steven. "Mind over mass media." New York Times 10 (2010).
Turkle, Sherry. "How computers change the way we think." Law and Society Approaches to Cyberspace. Routledge, 2017. 3-7.
