Observations of Myself

I recently did some studies with myself, and how much I use technology, and what I found was very shocking.   It was something I was definitely not expecting to see and the results honestly kind of scared.  It was real eye opening to see just how much I had used technology in just one day.   I kept some recordings of how many times I checked my phone in one class, and the final tally ended up being fourteen times.  I definitely thought I was pretty good at not being distracted by my phone and technology, but clearly I am.  I checked my phone a couple times to reply to text messages.  The other times were to just get on Facebook and instagram, and see what the rest of my friends were posting about.  It makes me sick to my stomach knowing I checked my phone this many times in a forty-minute class!  The next stat I recorded really shocked me as well.  I kept a time sheet of how long I was using my computer, or when I computer was being using in my presence (such has a teacher using notebook to show us notes) and the number I recorded was astonishing. From when I woke up to when I went to sleep, I had recorded that I used a computer for over six hours. One hour that my math teacher used it to teach class, and the other four on homework, YouTube, and just surfing the internet.  Six hours is so long and I had no idea that I was even using it for this long. This also made me super sick to my stomach and I did not like this reality check what so ever.  

How I feel every time coming back to school!

 

 

Good texting safety!

 

Phones, phones, and more phones....

Even adults are doing it!

As I have stated in previous blogs, I believe that society is beginning to overwhelm and drown us in technology. We are all so wrapped up in our phones and the technology that these devices have to offer.  I didn’t realize just how wrapped up we really are until I proceeded with some observations.  I noticed that during my class that every student checked their phone at least once during the forty-five minute class. Of course some were on their phones more than other, but I found this shocking knowing that every single student checked their phone at least once.  Another thing that I found really shocking, and maybe I just never notice this because I’m just as engrossed in my phone as everyone else is, but the amount of people immediately going to their phones as soon as they step outside the doors of the classroom.  I sat on the benches outside of my math class for about fifteen minutes, and noticed how virtually almost everyone was reaching for their phones, if they didn’t have them out already.  It was amazing to see how everyone was so soaked up in their phone, and just completely oblivious from the rest of the world.  The worst part was that I even saw adults partaking in these same activities! I understand that adults are going to check their phones too, but this one adult was blowing up her phone like there was no tomorrow.  This was very shocking to me and made me feel kind of upset.  It was upsetting to see just how occupied we really our by our phones.

How we feel everytime someone's phone goes off! Loved this.

Using Technology to the Fullest

For my interview of a faculty member, I decided to interview our pitching coach, and head recruiting coordinator, Coach McCavitt.  The reason why I wanted to interview him was because being a recruiting coordinator, he constantly has to use technology to not only scout kids, but to also get in touch with them, as well as try and recruit them to be future Matadors! I believe that he would be able to give me plenty of insight in his use and beliefs in technology, and this was exactly what he did. The problem that Coach McCavitt said ran into with technology was never being able to actually meet and interact with these recruits, that is unless these athletes come on an official visit. I asked him how many athletes actually came on official visits, and he said that out of about every fifteen kids that he talks to, only about one will actually come and take a visit. When asked if he thought technology was doing more harm than good to college students, he disagreed. He said he loved being able to contact any of his current students within seconds, as well as being able to check on recruits and future Matadors to see how they are doing.  He believes that this technology is a great thing and something he wishes would have been as advanced as it is now when he was college.   He believes that us as college students have it very easy with the technology that is now presented to us and believes that this technology is giving us every reason to succeed.

The pitching staff and coaches with pitching guru, Mr. Jager!

 

 

 

How the University of Wyoming uses technology to connect with recruits.

Opinions on Technology

My two best buds and roommates, Shane and Casey!

For my interview, I ended up interviewing my roommate Shane.  I also talked to some other students, but Shane most definitely had the strongest opinions about technology.  He believes that technology is amazing and loves it! He is constantly on his computer listening to music, checking the latest tweets from celebrities, or surfing the web for the latest news. He believes that technology is ultimately benefiting us as college students, and lots to say about this. When asked about why he thought this way, he responded by saying how much he enjoyed his online classes. He said he loved being able to work at his own speed and being able to work ahead of the class.  Shane is a student who likes to go above and beyond and always does everything to the fullest.  He is also very successful at being disciplined and teaching himself through these online courses.   He loves working ahead and getting his work done early. He is a very successful student and stays on top of his work.  He said he loves how these classes give him the ability to learn the way he wants too.  He doesn’t have to follow the rules of a classroom, but can study and learn the way he wants to. Even though he admits it sometimes sucks not being able to see your teacher, he admits that if he could, he would take all of his classes online. I found this to be the other way around for me, as I do enjoy an online class here and there, but also enjoy the interaction with my teacher as well as my other classmates.

What it takes to be a successful student!

Is technology causing me to lose as much as I gain?

Is technology causing me to lose as much as I gain? I believe what this question means to me, is technology ultimately helping me, or is holding me back? Is it causing me to not be as successful a student as I could be? Is technology giving me the easy way out by doing everything for me? What I believe technology can cause my fellow classmates and I to lose is the art of communication.  I feel like the biggest thing that technology has taken away from us is the form of face to face communication. With e-mails, text messages, and instant messaging, people can have full conversations without ever having to see one another.  Now don’t get me wrong, I believe that this is also one of the greatest things that technology has given us, but I just feel like its con is almost as great as its pro.  One way that this form of technology can be helpful, is when you need to get ahold of someone very quickly.  Within a couple of seconds, and a few characteristics later, you can deliver a message to someone miles away.  This has come in very handy as I quickly found out early in the first semester.  When I had a question about one of my online classes, all I had to do was e-mail my teacher, and within minutes she had replied back to me and helped me with my problem.  Without ever having to see her, or even having to get up, I was able to contact my teacher, ask her a question, and get a response within just a couple of minutes.  A way that I found this to be harmful, is that I would be taking a class all semester and never be able to see my instructor once.  Of course I could schedule an appointment with her during one of her office hours, but I would never be able to see her and have her teach me the class.  This was something very new to me as I had never taken an online class before.

It should be easier....Right?

 

 

 

Discussing  the pros and cons of online classes.

Introduction

Hi, my name is Brandon and I’m currently a freshman enrolled at Arizona Western College.  I believe that technology continues to play a bigger and bigger role in my life every single day.  With iPhones, to iPods, to mini computers that fit inside our pockets, I believe that as human beings, we are all being drowned in the world of technology.  As much as I hate to admit it, I believe that I’m attached to my phone, just like every other teenager.  I feel very disconnected from my friends and other social networks when I do not have my phone.  I believe that this is a serious problem in today’s society and I believe that it is only continuing to get worse.  I believe that if people lost their access to social networks, as well as the internet, that people would go crazy.  I believe that people should not be this attached to their phones and iPads, and feel so lost when they do not have them.  I believe that as a society this is a bad thing for us and our country. We’re beginning to become so wrapped up in the latest Facebook posts, instagram photos, and the latest tweet, and not realizing what is going on in the outside world around them. I’m glad that I am not as wrapped up in all of this technology as some teenagers are, but I still wish I was a little better. Technology is a major factor in our everyday lives and I believe that some people don’t understand just how a big of a factor it really is.

My Dad and I at Universtiy of Wyoming football game.