Watch and Listen and Create

At 51 years old, I constantly debate (within my own mind mainly) the benefits of and the negative side of technology. I know that there are benefits, those are undeniable. I use facebook to stay in touch with family and friends in a way that I have never been able to before, and more often. It helps me remember birthdays, actually it remembers them and reminds me which makes me look brilliant when I call friends and family and wish them happy birthday, on the actual day! I rely on email, rely on my cell phone and its apps (the ones that I know how to operate), rely on my palm pilot, take online courses which I would never be able to take in person and dozens if not hundreds of other pieces of technology and its many applications, software and gadgets. So, the machine is partly me and I am partly the machine. But, the machine doesn't sit with me under my shade tree in the evening and watch the sunset, doesn't assist me with my drawings and paintings, doesn't hug my grandkids, write my poetry...you get the idea.
In the video "Do schools kill creativity" Sir Ken Robinson says that today "creativity in education is as important as literacy." That is true, we must not lose creativity. Does technology enhance creativity? - do schools kill creativity? Obviously we need to rethink education and creativity and how the world operates today. Using technology does indeed enhance education. But should we eliminate "hands on" experience in education? I, as a member of the "baby boomer" club will just simply say that we need to design and redesign education with technology included, but use it to augment creativity. We need to look at individuals and try to design education that can be adopted, moved and adjusted so that it features the student, focuses on the student and not the curriculum.
We are behind the rest of the world in many ways today, but none more glaring and obvious than in education. The Michael Wesch film "A Vision of Students Today" students point out alarming statistics, but not shocking ones. At one point, the students hold up signs that say things such as "I work 2 hours a day" and "3 hours studying" and all of the hours total 26.5 hours. This to me says more than the girls sign that says she "has to be" a multi-tasker". Technology was, at least at first, being created to save time and effort for humans. Microwaves, computers, cell phones, and high-tech cars and homes were supposed to give us more free time. But, our days seem busier and our leisure time is something we grab when we can.
We must use technology wisely. It is part of our make up now, and like any tool needs to be used properly. When designing education, we need to assure that if we use technology, we use it to enhance education and not let the machine take control. It must be part of our creativity along with our imagination, dreams, and all of our senses. I for one, am not digital. I believe we are spiritual beings, moving through a physical life. And no matter how incredible technology gets, it is still a tool - and a tool used for the wrong reason, is dangerous.