Blog #1

 My name is Aidan Sova, I am twenty two and I work at a middle school as a tutor. Working at a middle school has given me a unique perspective on the role of technology at schools. Technology is undoubtedly useful at schools. Computers give students access to millions of articles and novels. However, technology is a tool and like a tool it can be used improperly. One effective use of media technology I experienced was during my senior year of high school. The statistics teachers daughter was diagnosed with cancer and due to that the teacher was frequently at the children's hospital. Statistics is a very difficult subject to grasp, especially at that age. The teacher filmed lectures in her free time and posted them in the canvas which allowed the students to effectively learn the subject material. This is a shinning example of how media technology can be used properly. However, this is an outlier and most experiences with media technology in a classroom setting have been negative. A lot of students will not use the resources available to them. When the teacher published lectures she made for us in her free time most students refused to watch them. They instead watched unrelated YouTube videos (such as Nickocado). There is nothing wrong with watching YouTube in your spare time but students used it as a substitute to learning. Media technology can be used wonderfully and this is exemplified by a few YouTubers. My favorite educational YouTube is MiniMinuteMan who goes by Milo. Milo has over two million subscribers and teaches anthropology in an interesting way that appeals to people who aren't academics. People like him show how media technology can reach kids in a positive way. Most uses of media technology might be negative but there is still greatness that comes from it.