In class this week, we have taken a focus on what the real meaning of learning is and how to a teacher can overcome the "goldilocks effect" of technology. After exploring the points raised in the video and blog post, I have been able to identify my own personal beliefs of what learning is. I feel that learning is being open-minded and engaged in the present. Learning is using your senses to examine and experience the world around us. Learning is an ongoing exploration of life that never ends.
However when I reflect on the definitions and meanings that I have associated with learning, I feel that it can be difficult for students to learn in our classroom considering the changing ways in which society lives through media and digital technologies. As Sherry Turkle points out, technology is determining who we are and what we do. Nowadays, people view the use of technology as necessary or acceptable, resulting in the use of technology all the time; people are on their devices during meetings, classes, dinners, and other social gatherings. When people are together they are not really 'together' because they are constantly spreading their attention over multiple areas. People choose to listen to the parts that they feel are important and move their attention elsewhere during boring parts. This results in limited comprehension and listening skills, as well as weak conversation skills. Technology is also being used as a tool by society for feeling as if they are being heard or listened to; social networking and blogging can provide instant listeners. When teachers consider the way technology is controlling the lives of our students it is clear that it is important for teachers to develop engaging lessons to keep the focus of our students. Engaging lessons can include using media and digital technologies as these are the devices that steal so much of our attention. Although there should be a balance between actual face to face conversation between students and reflection time with the use of technology in the classroom.