Too much or Too little Technology? - The Negative and Positive effects of Technology on Native Communities.

Bryce Joseph Mesteth

Acoma Pueblo and Sioux

"Sharing One's Skin"

Horse, Perry G. “Native American Identity.” New Directions for Student Services. No.109, Wiley Periodicals Incorporated, 2005.

In the article “Sharing One’s Skin” Jeannette Armstrong who is the author of the story and the character. She is from the Okanagan Community part of British Columbia where the place is very dry and hot. Her mother is a River Indian from Kettle Falls, part of the main confluence of the Columbia River. “The Kettle River people are incharge of the fisheries of all the Northern parts of the Columbia River Systems in their territories.” Her fathers people are Mountain people, his people occupied the Northern part of British Columbia known as Okanagan Valley. It is important to say where she is from because in this article she explains that her parents gave her a family and a community.

In this article I connect with this, It opens my eyes to the reality of today. For example my community is having a hard time with our language and the children today are always caught up on technology into the white people’s world. Not knowing where we come from and how our language could be lost if we do not teach them our old ways because they are the next generation to help and be joined all as one as a community. As a result of living in two worlds many tribes are losing their language and connection to their communities.

"Native American Identity"

Horse, Perry G. “Native American Identity” New directions for student services. No.109, wiley periodicals incorporated, 2005.

In this article “Native American Identity” Perry G. Horse is telling his truth about the white people and how we are acting like them on what they do or act and the young ones not speaking their own language because us American Indians we are born in our own lands and provided by our communities while when the white people are born in their land but yet they have no community like how our American Indians have.

The article connected to me on how our tribes have laws that we stand by and take orders from while everyone else out of the reservation has their state law and that they follow orders from their government. Us as American Indians we live in two different worlds from the white people because what we have is traditional, we pray to our ancestors to watch over and protect. The white people’s world is totally different, everything they have is gifted to them while us American Indians work hard and pray for happiness and well being. As a result of the article it all comes back to reality.

The Positive and Negative effects of technology on children

In this article “The Positive and Negative effects of technology on children” by Scott Stueber, it talks about two sides of technology and how much it has increased throughout the years from Social skills, Health issues, Reduce sleep quality and in Schools. In Addition Stueber focuses on the benefits of technology in the classroom. For example, he talks about enhancing learning experiences in classes for children with the start of their first technology. It will help the students make the academic instructions more meaningful. However there were also negatives on health issues with technology. The devices we have are harmful to our health and especially the children. “As children spend more time in front of those screens—most of the time on the couch—the less time they spend outside playing, running, and burning off calories.” (Stueber)

How has technology changed the concept of community?

In this article “How has technology changed the concept of community?” by Ronald Brownstein, he talks about how technology has changed how people interact, communicate, and how they share information today. The author mentions “For some making connections has become easier, but others say that life has become more isolated.” With so much technology everywhere (Banks, grocery stores, department stores, Gas stations, restaurants, and malls)

people are disconnected from human interactions. In the article he also mentions the dangers of so much information available and he talks about the positives of having access to information from around the world. Brownstein also expresses concern that people are so connected to their screen, they are losing sight of places outside of their windows.

Santa Fe Police give look at body cameras, more high tech gear.

This article talks about the new and improved body cameras, virtual reality headsets, and dual firing tasers that the Santa Fe Police Department are looking into for more high tech gear. In the article they described the synchronized body cameras and how the footage is stored and uploaded automatically. The article continues to describe how this new technology allows the police department to, “...designed to modernize the agency and improve its accountability, transparency, and efficiency.”

Traxler, Victoria. “Santa Fe Police give look at body cameras, more high tech gear.” Santa Fe New Mexican, 10 Nov. 2021, P. A4.

Schools say no to cell phones in class. But is it a smart move?

This next article is about some serious issues and concerns that educators, parents, and some students think about. For example “Sexting. Cyberbullying. Googling test answers. Taking a picture of a quiz and sending it to friends who have the same class later in the day. Paying more attention to Instagram notifications than biology class.” (Alyson Klein)

Klein, Alyson. ”Schools say no to cell phones in class. But is it a smart move? Education Week, 2019, https://www.edweek.org/technology/schools-say-no-to-cellphones-in-class-but-is-it-a-smart-move/2019/09

3 fears about screen time for kids-and why they're not true.

In this video a parent talks about the positives of technology and parent responsibility. She talks about the benefits of educational tools and apps for young children. She explains that these screens can help our children engage and have a good “human experience.” I agree with her that “we are letting our fears” keep us from seeing the positives of technology and the benefits of technology. She made me realize that there are positives in technology and how the parents can set a good example on devices for their children. This problem that I am currently facing in this society, tells how the balance of technology can be positive.

DeWitt, Sara. “3 fears about screen time for kids-and why they're not true.” TED, uploaded by TEDx talks, April 2017, https://www.ted.com/talks/sara_dewitt_3_fears_about_screen_time_for_kids_and_why_they_re_not_true#t-187829

Problematic Use of Mobile Phones in Australia…Is It Getting Worse?

The article “Problematic Use of Mobile Phones in Australia…Is It Getting Worse?” In a study of 709 participants ranging from 18-83 years old in Australia. The study focused on cell phone usage while driving, cross walking, and other safety concerns like walking on a sidewalk and being a pedestrian crossing the road. Australia is experiencing the same situation for example, “Greater problematic mobile phone use is apparent in Australia, with 61% of active Australian drivers having reported using their mobile phone while driving despite the unlawfulness and dangers surrounding this behavior”-

Oviedo-Trespalacios O. The cause of these cell phones is getting our attention to where the back of the brain wants us to pull out our phones and look at that screen instantly. This is considered extremely and highly problematic, while driving is creating more serious health and safety implications.

Oviedo-Trespalacios, O., Nandavar, S., Newton, J. D. A., Demant, D., & Phillips, J. G. (1AD, January 1). Problematic use of mobile phones in Australia...is it getting worse? Frontiers. Retrieved March 4, 2022, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00105/full

Brazil is the 5th Country in Smartphone Usage

The article “Brazil is the 5th Country in Smartphone Usage” talks about the usage of hours and how many applications many people have or use on their cell phone. It is also the 5th country with cell phone usage. According to this article about 120 million people use their smartphones as their main internet connections to the wifi. The article also mentions hours spent on streaming apps. With many social media platforms, these applications are very popular in Brazil and many Brazilians visit these three sites on a regular basis (WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram). Technology is overpowering in Brazil and appears to have the attention of all age groups.

Lopez, B. (2019, November 1). Smartphone usage in Brazil: Country ranks 5th Worldwide. PagBrasil. Retrieved March 8, 2022, from https://www.pagbrasil.com/insights/smartphone-usage-in-brazil/