Benefits & Challenges of 'Interconnectedness'

Educators in the 21st century have velocity as a 'frenemy.' It is a general consensus that most beginning teachers will not last more than 5 years in the profession. Technology, though can be beneficial, can exacerbate this grave attrition rate. 

Not all is bad when it comes to technology and education. We have an ever expansive information that is exponential by the second. The accessibility that we have today is certainly a huge advantage to past generations, regardless of the critique that current so called "Millennials" undergo. They are able to simplify their searches and get straight to what they are looking for with more ease. Also, automation is often overlooked when it comes to use in the school. It now consists of much of our daily lives that before and has explosive potential when artificial intelligence comes around. We can only be skeptical of the potential of this new manifestation that currently lies. 

However, we must recognize the disadvantages of technology in the classroom. Over-reliance can often become an issue, disregarding more hands-on needs of students. Also, educators are expected to answer within a moments notice any needs required online during the day (and evening for that matter). This is not a productive practice because they are required to take instructional time from their day to answer petty requests sometimes. Children also need to focus on simply things sometimes. Too much tech overload can drain their attention span and not allow them to internalize any new information obtained. This timing aspect is often overlooked by inexperienced or over-reliant teachers. 

Last, accessibility IS NOT equal to acquisition. I've stated this more than 5 years ago as I have seen how we have access though not apply common sense. Countless reliable studies are readily available that warns us on the pending doom of global warming, yet we keep the status quo. Why? Because countless variables often impede in the face of common sense in our global community: greed, ignorance, denial, avoidance, politics, and so on. This is why for now, teachers can take many forms, but education's true purpose will be its foundation.