Blog #3

I would say that I am not a technological determinist, especially when it comes to my education. I have always, and will always prefer the classic printed textbook over an electronic book or kindle. I understand that it works better for some people, due to the mobility, affordability, and convenience. These books cannot be solely depended on, in my opinion, because technology is not always reliable, but with a classic textbook you don't have to worry about your wifi failing, your device's battery dying, or a professor who prefers students to not use technology in their course.

As far as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) go, they can be a very useful, and educational tool. They give high school students the option to begin their college education for free, as well as gives those who don't choose to attend college the option to be able to higher their education and better themselves and their future. Certain technologies can cause laziness in the classroom, such as people choosing their phones or computers over the professors lecture, and if their textbook is located on their device distraction would be an easy pit to fall into, however I don't think that e-books or MOOC's themselves cause distraction or laziness, as long as the students themselves want to learn and be engaged. If students want to cut corners or find shortcuts they'll do it, with or without technology, so that is why I don't see technology as the determining factor in distracted or lazy students.