I Didn't Choose the Tech Life; the Tech Life Chose Me
In one of my other courses this fall, I was challenged to a 24-hour "Unplugged" from technology. Regardless of my fighting spirit, I failed miserably. As soon as my eyes fell upon the phone in my hand, the tiny device lit up and consumed my hours.
I recall years when technology wasn't as prominent in my life; I remember the DVDs and CDs that brought my family together. It's incredible how much has changed. I had my first iPod when I was in grade 4. I played all the games that were trending: Temple Run, Flappy Bird, Piano Tiles, and more. Since receiving that first device, I had iPads, desktops, and laptops. I consider myself a good caretaker of my devices. I still use my Macbook Pro that I got for my 10th birthday.
As guilty pleasures, I like to watch videos on TikTok and YouTube, post pictures on VSCO, find inspiration from Pinterest, and read online on AO3. I used to obsess over social media like Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, but I'd gradually lost interest in keeping social tabs on the people in my life from those platforms. Now, I prefer texting and calling and find that they create more meaningful conversations (as meaningful as they can get without meeting in person).
As for the educational and productive purposes of using technology, I use a variety of digital tools to complete assignments, organize notes, and communicate with peers and professors. Some of my courses use Discord. I like using Google Docs for my notes and written assignments because it's simple and easy to navigate, and there's also the option to change the format of the document without needing to download Microsoft Word or PDF viewing. I also use Google for my professional profile. As a student of UofR, I use URcourses and URwebmail.
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| 3 Simple Ways to Create More Tech-Life Balance Today |
I think the apps I use for leisure distract me from productivity. I find myself pausing from readings to scroll through TikTok, and that's a problem. When I recognize that more time is slipping away and that I cannot afford to lose more, I snap out of the daze and hide my phone from view. It works because I complete my work faster in order to return to that phone time. However, I admit my work is compromised by that rush. If I learned to find a balance between using tech for productivity and for leisure time, I would definitely relay it here. One thing I heard before is to set time restrictions. I am open to learning strategies from others!
* The tech life and I chose each other.
I 100% agree with you when you mentioned pausing from doing readings to scroll through TikTok, especially as an Ed student with sooo many readings. However, I would say that it isn't necessarily a bad thing. We can't expect 100% efficiency and effort 100% of the time, literally nothing in nature does that. It's important to take breaks when we need and listen to our brains.
ReplyDeleteJustine, I also would have failed the "24 hour unplugged challenge" unfortunately. I recently had a conversation with my friend about how times used to be much different for kids when we didn't have technology. It is crazy to me when I hear about how many kids have tablets at such a young age. It worries me that they don't spend as much time outside, with friends or with toys that can help them discover and learn about the world. They are truly missing out. Even though we are in a class to learn about ways that technology can help us in the classroom, I wonder if we should be focused on helping children learn and cope without technology.
ReplyDeletePS: I appreciate that you have lost interest in some social media apps and that you have resorted to texting and calling instead. I hope to get to that place one day too!