| Younger generations are now more skilled in the | | | | society. However, one thing is certain, and that is |
| use of Internet as well as there being an increase | | | | today's generation are better able to adapt to the |
| in the popularity of computer games. The present | | | | changes and demands of technology. For |
| level of encouragement for using technology in | | | | example, Washington Reuters stated that "nearly |
| schools has helped us as a society prepare for | | | | one-third of American Internet users surveyed |
| the demands of the future. | | | | said they go online just for fun rather than to |
| The word 'technology' is often associated with | | | | check e-mail, read News, or use a search engine, |
| ideologies about the future and the advancement | | | | a sharp increase from a year ago," (Reuters, |
| of society. Although this statement may be true | | | | 2006, p 1). Hence, this means that as a society, |
| to a limited extent in that technology is about | | | | although there has been an increase in software |
| foreseeing the future, technology and | | | | engineering of games and programs, society has |
| advancements in technology are also largely about | | | | kept up in terms of spending time on the |
| the present. For example, younger generations | | | | computer in order to use these software and |
| are now more skilled in the use of Internet as | | | | programs. |
| well as there being an increase in the popularity of | | | | In conclusion, today's generation has an increased |
| computer games. Hence, although there are some | | | | ability to enjoy the benefits of technology and |
| negative impacts associated with spending too | | | | Internet due to the increased usage and reliance |
| much time on the Internet and using the Internet | | | | on technology. Although the issue is still debatable, |
| as a primary source of research, the present | | | | as negative effects such as over-reliance on the |
| level of encouragement for using technology in | | | | Internet can affect the functioning of society, |
| schools has helped us as a society prepare for | | | | benefits also exist, and when used appropriately |
| the demands of the future. | | | | the Internet can ensure a higher standard of |
| Firstly, in an extract from a survey about | | | | lifestyle. |
| Internet and schools, it was found that a "recent | | | | Bibliography: |
| informal census conducted via voluntary reporting | | | | California Department of Education, Far West |
| over the Internet estimates the number of | | | | Laboratory for Educational Research and |
| teachers and students (individual and classroom | | | | Development, California Education and Data |
| accounts) in the U.S. using the Internet, either | | | | Processing Association, "California Student |
| directly or indirectly, at almost 250,000." (Parker, | | | | Information System: A Study of the Feasibility of |
| 1992, p 22-24). Hence, the increased usage in | | | | Implementing a Statewide Process for |
| Internet services has ensured that school-aged | | | | Electronically Sharing Student Information," |
| children are better adapted to meet the | | | | Sacramento, CA.: California Department of |
| challenges of technology. Although use of the | | | | Education, October 1992. |
| Internet has increased due to both growth in | | | | LaQuey, Tracy and Connie Stout, "High Tech |
| research and uses for entertainment purposes, | | | | Highway," America's Agenda: Schools for the 21st |
| there are some negative impacts associated with | | | | Century, pp. 26-30. New York, NY: Scholastic, |
| school-age children relying on the Internet as their | | | | Spring 1993. |
| primary source of research. | | | | LaQuey, Tracy, with Jeanne C. Ryer, The Internet |
| Becoming over reliant on the Internet for | | | | Companion. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley, 1993. |
| research due to the level of convenience may | | | | Lipinski, Michael (1998) 'Some thoughts on the use |
| result in a lesser range of reference materials | | | | of the Internet in schools.' (Accessed: 16th |
| used for essays and academic arguments. Also, it | | | | February, 2006). |
| creates a bias in terms of the amount of | | | | Parker, Tracy LaQuey, "Cisco Routers Contribute |
| information found. For example, authors in | | | | to the Global Schoolhouse Project," The Packet, |
| societies that do not have access to the Internet | | | | pp. 22-24. Mountain View, CA.: Cisco Systems, |
| may be marginalized due to the lack of this skill. | | | | Inc., Fall 1993. |
| Also, most Internet sites usually have advertising, | | | | Parker, Tracy LaQuey, "The Internet - K12 |
| and this may cause distractions to the student's | | | | Connection: How Students and Teachers Are |
| concentration. Therefore, though it can be argued | | | | Using The Internet," ConneXions: The |
| that the Internet has provided access to a larger | | | | Interoperability Report. Foster City, CA.: Interop, |
| range of resources and has ensured that | | | | Inc. April 1994. |
| communication is a lot more effective, it can | | | | Washington Reuters (2006) Thirty pct Internet |
| become ineffective if people become too reliant | | | | users go online just for fun, (Accessed; 17th |
| on this source of information as their main | | | | February, 2006). |
| medium for communication. | | | | Weston, Rachel, "Networks: Where Have You |
| The debates involving the Internet are extremely | | | | Been All My Life?" Proceedings, Connecting with |
| contentious, depending upon the various views | | | | the Future Today: NASA and the Center for |
| and interpretations of different members of | | | | Educational Statistics, February 1994. |