Question
to the Internet. This blog post discusses the impact of those changes.
P
erhaps it is the years of experience I’ve had in front of a
computer, a laptop, or some sort of device with a screen.
Talking about technology, attending press events in NYC,
1 and
meeting the industry’s most interesting people—all older than me,
but all with the same childish hunger to see what comes next.
With its microchips, input methods, operating systems,
2 and
everything in between, technology of the twenty-first century is
a window into a new world for all of humanity, but especially for
teenagers. Are you curious about something no one you know has
even heard of? Then, search for it online—and maybe even come
across the wrong answer, initially.
You do more research and eventually uncover the truth. Inside,
you feel a little like Indiana Jones,
3
finding information that you
believe will make you a more complete human being. In the grand
scheme of things, you’ve done us all a great service: You’ve turned
over a small stone of information, one in a river of millions. With
every stone turned, our picture of the world becomes clearer.
1. NYC New York City.
2. operating systems basic software that allow devices to run applications.
3. Indiana Jones classic movie character, known for being an explorer and archaeologist.
1
2
microchips (MY kroh
chihps) n. small pieces of
computer technology that
have integrated circuits
3
NOTES
CLOSE READ
ANNOTATE: In paragraph 3,
mark the two comparisons
the author makes.
QUESTION: Why does
the author use these
comparisons?
CONCLUDE: How do these
comparisons help readers
understand the writer’s
ideas?
Teens and Technology Share a Future 207
Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.
NOTES
It’s similar to my experience with the polar vortex
4 that has
been plaguing New York for more than a month: Only when the
sun breaks out for a moment do I realize how beautiful the snow
can be. That’s what computer technology can do—like sunshine
breaking through the cold, it changes how we see things. When
you filter out the useless Facebook messages, out-of-context
tweets, and all the GIFs from Reddit,5 you see that you—yes,
you—are in control of your own information network. Best of all,
you can do anything you want to do with it. There’s no excuse
to be confused by that math problem in trigonometry, or lack a
source to cite in an essay. It’s all on you now.
Of course, right off the bat, you may be thinking: “Here
comes a
geek, obsessed with technology, preaching about its effectiveness
and adaptability, and how it’s great for everyone who is currently a
teenager.”
You’re absolutely right. But even if you are not as much of
a geek as I am, you are still immersed in technology. How else
would you be reading this blog? How else would you understand
what “LOL” means, or be able to send a text message without
even thinking about it?
The world is facing many problems, but young people—using
the power of technology—have the opportunity to solve them.
Technology connects us in ways no one has ever been connected
before. As Henry David Thoreau
6
put it in an age before the
Internet, “Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look
through each other’s eyes, for just an instant?” If only Thoreau
had known that we would be able to look into another person’s
eyes—even if they are actually just pixels on a screen—thousands
of miles away! What superpower could one possibly want when
we have technology that lets us meet new people, invent new
things, and help others?
Today’s teenagers (as of 2014) have the potential to be the most
influential and informed generation of human beings ever seen.
But that will only happen if we step up to the challenge, wake up,
and be prepared to take charge in an informed, responsible, and
powerful
way. (Hopefully, we will not make our problems worse.)
What is better than a will to do great things? The actual actions
that will make those great things happen. ❧
Comprehension Check
Complete the following items after you finish your first read.
According to the author, how is technology a “window into the new world”?
Answer: Technology allows people to get information that would have otherwise been difficult to get.
Cite: According to the text in paragraph 7 on page 208, “Technology connects us in ways no one has ever been connected before.”
Explain: Technology gives people access to a large amount of information that helps to solve problems that exist in the world.
What does the author suggest people should do to be in control of their own information network?
Answer:
Cite:
Explain:
According to the author, in what way is technology like a superpower?
Answer:
Cite:
Explain:
According to the author, what must this generation do to fulfill the potential it has to influence the world in a positive way?
Answer:
Cite:
Explain:
What does the author say is better than wanting to do great things?
Answer:
Cite:
Explain:
Notebook List three important ideas- from the selection to show your understanding?
Answer:
Cite:
Explain:
Research
Research to Clarify Choose at least one unfamiliar detail from the text. Briefly research that detail. In what way did the information you learned shed light on an aspect of the blog post?
Unfamiliar Detail:
Research:
The information helped me
Research to Explore Choose something that interested you from the text, and formulate a research question.
Interest:
Question:
write in 6th grade prespective
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Comprehension Check
**According to the author, how is technology a “window into the new world”?**
**Answer:** Technology allows people to get information that would have otherwise been difficult to get.
**Cite:** According to the text in paragraph 7 on page 208, “Technology connects us in ways no one has ever been connected before.”
**Explain:** Technology gives people access to a large amount of information that helps to solve problems that exist in the world.
---
**What does the author suggest people should do to be in control of their own information network?**
**Answer:** The author suggests that people should filter out useless information and focus on what’s important.
**Cite:** In paragraph 5, the author mentions, “When you filter out the useless Facebook messages, out-of-context tweets, and all the GIFs from Reddit, you see that you—yes, you—are in control of your own information network.”
**Explain:** By removing distractions and focusing on relevant information, people can better manage what they learn and how they use it.
---
**According to the author, in what way is technology like a superpower?**
**Answer:** The author compares technology to a superpower because it allows people to connect and communicate with others across the world instantly.
**Cite:** The author states, “What superpower could one possibly want when we have technology that lets us meet new people, invent new things, and help others?”
**Explain:** Just like superheroes have unique abilities, technology gives us special abilities to interact with others, create innovations, and assist those in need.
---
**According to the author, what must this generation do to fulfill the potential it has to influence the world in a positive way?**
**Answer:** This generation must take charge and act responsibly with the information and tools available to them.
**Cite:** The author writes, “But that will only happen if we step up to the challenge, wake up, and be prepared to take charge in an informed, responsible, and powerful way.”
**Explain:** It’s important for young people to use their knowledge and technology wisely to make a positive impact on the world.
---
**What does the author say is better than wanting to do great things?**
**Answer:** The author says that taking actual actions to achieve great things is better than just having the desire.
**Cite:** The author concludes with, “What is better than a will to do great things? The actual actions that will make those great things happen.”
**Explain:** It’s not enough to want to do something good; you have to actually take steps to make it happen.
---
### Notebook
**List three important ideas from the selection to show your understanding?**
**Answer:**
1. Technology provides access to a wealth of information and connects us in unique ways.
2. People can take control of their own information networks by filtering out distractions.
3. This generation has the chance to solve major problems using technology if they act responsibly.
**Cite:** These ideas are supported throughout the text, especially in paragraphs 4, 5, and 9.
**Explain:** Each idea reinforces the author's belief that technology is powerful and can lead to positive changes, as long as people actively engage with it.
---
### Research
**Research to Clarify Choose at least one unfamiliar detail from the text. Briefly research that detail. In what way did the information you learned shed light on an aspect of the blog post?**
**Unfamiliar Detail:** Polar vortex
**Research:** The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the Earth's poles. It can cause severe cold spells in areas where it travels, such as New York.
**The information helped me:** This detail helped me understand the author's comparison of how technology can make our lives better, similar to how sunlight can brighten a gloomy winter day caused by the polar vortex.
---
**Research to Explore Choose something that interested you from the text and formulate a research question.**
**Interest:** The impact of technology on communication.
**Question:** How has technology changed the way people communicate compared to the past?
**According to the author, how is technology a “window into the new world”?**
**Answer:** Technology allows people to get information that would have otherwise been difficult to get.
**Cite:** According to the text in paragraph 7 on page 208, “Technology connects us in ways no one has ever been connected before.”
**Explain:** Technology gives people access to a large amount of information that helps to solve problems that exist in the world.
---
**What does the author suggest people should do to be in control of their own information network?**
**Answer:** The author suggests that people should filter out useless information and focus on what’s important.
**Cite:** In paragraph 5, the author mentions, “When you filter out the useless Facebook messages, out-of-context tweets, and all the GIFs from Reddit, you see that you—yes, you—are in control of your own information network.”
**Explain:** By removing distractions and focusing on relevant information, people can better manage what they learn and how they use it.
---
**According to the author, in what way is technology like a superpower?**
**Answer:** The author compares technology to a superpower because it allows people to connect and communicate with others across the world instantly.
**Cite:** The author states, “What superpower could one possibly want when we have technology that lets us meet new people, invent new things, and help others?”
**Explain:** Just like superheroes have unique abilities, technology gives us special abilities to interact with others, create innovations, and assist those in need.
---
**According to the author, what must this generation do to fulfill the potential it has to influence the world in a positive way?**
**Answer:** This generation must take charge and act responsibly with the information and tools available to them.
**Cite:** The author writes, “But that will only happen if we step up to the challenge, wake up, and be prepared to take charge in an informed, responsible, and powerful way.”
**Explain:** It’s important for young people to use their knowledge and technology wisely to make a positive impact on the world.
---
**What does the author say is better than wanting to do great things?**
**Answer:** The author says that taking actual actions to achieve great things is better than just having the desire.
**Cite:** The author concludes with, “What is better than a will to do great things? The actual actions that will make those great things happen.”
**Explain:** It’s not enough to want to do something good; you have to actually take steps to make it happen.
---
### Notebook
**List three important ideas from the selection to show your understanding?**
**Answer:**
1. Technology provides access to a wealth of information and connects us in unique ways.
2. People can take control of their own information networks by filtering out distractions.
3. This generation has the chance to solve major problems using technology if they act responsibly.
**Cite:** These ideas are supported throughout the text, especially in paragraphs 4, 5, and 9.
**Explain:** Each idea reinforces the author's belief that technology is powerful and can lead to positive changes, as long as people actively engage with it.
---
### Research
**Research to Clarify Choose at least one unfamiliar detail from the text. Briefly research that detail. In what way did the information you learned shed light on an aspect of the blog post?**
**Unfamiliar Detail:** Polar vortex
**Research:** The polar vortex is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the Earth's poles. It can cause severe cold spells in areas where it travels, such as New York.
**The information helped me:** This detail helped me understand the author's comparison of how technology can make our lives better, similar to how sunlight can brighten a gloomy winter day caused by the polar vortex.
---
**Research to Explore Choose something that interested you from the text and formulate a research question.**
**Interest:** The impact of technology on communication.
**Question:** How has technology changed the way people communicate compared to the past?