The Impacts of Technology
By: Melissa Tran
Technology has shaped our future and the way we are able to live today during the pandemic. One example is that it allowed us to transition all of our in-class learning to online. The utilization of communication through Zoom and school platforms such as Canvas has shown us how advanced technology can be used. Many peoples' lives shifted into the virtual world, whether it be working from home or taking school courses online. People have had to rely on technology on just about everything and the importance of human interaction has also transformed virtually during the pandemic.
Online learning can help students flourish and still have the education they need to prepare for the future, however many limitations are confronted. According to Scholarship America, students who are prone to procrastination can cause online learning to be difficult as motivation can be a struggle. Since the majority of online learning is the students' responsibility, those who thrive on routine and direction can find online learning lacking. For students who also have dedication and motivation to adapt to online learning, they can still struggle due to access.
Online learning not only limits the opportunities for students, it also loses the appeal for students who want a traditional college experience. On-campus interactions include educators, clubs and sports and a lack of these these things can cause feeling of isolation. A major deduction of students' social lives can be deemed unhealthy especially for those who are more extroverted and outgoing. A balance of staying home, going out and meeting new people drastically changes to virtual interactions only. Other major concerns for K-12 students have been the lack of access to equipment as well as the internet. The presence that is provided by teachers and professors in school is missing as well as the actions of observing, supporting and more.
For university students, there are similar but also different factors. Before the pandemic occurred, college students had opportunities to live on campus and experience independence for the first time after graduating high school. While many students may be happy to reconnect with family again, some have returned to abusive households and unstable homes, and some with no home at all. School quickly transitioned to online for the rest of the year and many events including commencement ceremonies were cancelled. However, even with universities having online learning as a choice before, it still was a big shift for students.
Leaving campus also added stress and health issues for students. According to PBS, three out of four Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 report mental health that are tied to the pandemic.
Before Covid-19 spread across the nation, Michigan Medicine states, “college students were already prone to feelings of loneliness.”
The social support system and extracurricular activities at their school can cause students to feel less connected with friends. Zoom and FaceTime calls can only do so much, and in addition, uncertainty they face for graduation and for their future can be overwhelming.
According to URO Today, social media has skyrocketed these many years as technology becomes more advanced. The use of social media platforms are increasing due to the pandemic, and with that comes advantages and disadvantages. The responsible use of these tools can help people spread important news and sharing key information. Playing also an important role for our emotional health, having a variety of social media platforms allows for distraction and relief. Some of these platforms include internet memes, Tik Toks, and vlogs that are shared all across the media. Never before in human history has it been possible to communicate so quickly during a pandemic and for that, we are lucky to experience the growth, capability and advancement of technology. Online counseling services that use social media were created and began to rise in popularity. This was an advantage to help during the pandemic, allowing for a safe way to connect and communicate with mental health workers who need them.
As the world is attempting to adapt, it’s important to take care of our mental health when we realize the world of technology may be getting too much. Technology has allowed people to virtually connect during these challenging times but in my opinion, too much of something can be dangerous. I’ve found many times throughout the pandemic that I was unable to stare at my screen any longer and loose enjoyment of leisure activities that did not consist of movies or online games. I struggled knowing what I wanted to do in the future, going through a traumatizing event of a loved one, and dealt with pressure of submitting college applications. This affected my studies and with coursework being online, the motivation was hard to find as a whole.
Technology overall has become a major part of not only mine but of other people’s lives throughout the pandemic and will continue to do so. With its pros and cons, it is up to us to take care of our mental health and take virtual breaks from the world today that we face with Covid.