Friday, December 17, 2010

mobile technology

Andy Futhey
Hour: 2
Wednesday December 15, 2010
            In what ways is mobile technology changing our society?
I think that in our society today we are almost one hundred[evhs1]  percent dependent on our phones, computers, and other electronic devices. We have moved into an era where phone numbers refer to people instead of places. A cell phone is a constant companion that accompanies a person throughout their daily life and allows them the convenience of easy communication and access to information. There is no longer any assumption of private time, people are increasingly expected to be accessible at all times, and physical location is no longer of any importance or concern. This cultural shift to an “always-on” world brings challenges along with the conveniences.
Now, when a call is placed to someone on their cell phone, it is fully expected that the call will be answered because most people assume that a cell phone accompanies a person every-where, regardless of their location. In 2010, cell phones and other mobile devices are not simply used for telephone communications or even text messaging. Many mobile devices today can also access the Internet and run a variety of applications, making them the equivalent of a pocket-sized computer with wireless Internet access. People can now conduct banking, check sports scores, read news, watch YouTube videos, play games, and lookup information at the touch of a button from anywhere.
A 2009 study of students, ages 11-18, in regard to mobile phone calls and text messaging. A total of 267 surveys were returned. Ninety-five percent of students reported having access to a computer/laptop, mobile phone and /or the Internet. Approximately 17 percent of students identified that they spent at least three hours per day on a mobile phone. The majority of students indicated that they sent and/or received 20 text messages per day. Only five percent of students sent or received over 60 texts per day. Of the students that sent and received text messages 29 percent used text short cuts when completing school work. Students were asked a series of questions in regard to phone usage in the classroom. Over 50 percent re-ported[evhs2]  that having a mobile phone in the class-room or a ringing cell phone in class did not distract them from their studies. Over 73 percent of students made no excuse to leave the classroom to answer their phone, while 22 percent apologized for causing inconvenience in the classroom. One-third of students indicated they would make a call from their mobile phone during class.
Only five to ten years ago it would have been considered uncommon to take phone calls during a lunch or dinner with friends. Now, if a cell phone rings, it is fully expected that the call or text will be answered. We now live in a society that allows disrupted communications is acceptable and where we have the world at our fingertips we no longer need to pull a dusty old book out of the self or go to the library for information we just need our phones.

 [evhs1]100
 [evhs2]Reported  ?