Question
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. ❧
Revisit a section of the text you found important during your first read. Read this section closely and annotate what you notice. Ask yourself questions such as “Why did the blogger make this choice?” What can you conclude?
Annotate:
Question:
Conclude:
Analyze the Text
Notebook Respond to these questions.
(a) Paraphrase Explain the blogger’s comparison of technology to the polar vortex.
The blogger’s comparison of technology to the polar vortex was
(b) Evaluate Is his comparison effective? Explain.
Speculate Why do you think he specifically addresses teens?
I think he specifically addresses teens because
Interpret What does the blogger mean when he says that teens must “take charge in an informed, responsible, and powerful way”?
The blogger means______________________ when he says teens must take charge in an informed, responsible, and powerful way.
Essential Question: How is modern technology helpful and harmful to society?
Technolgy is helpful to society ______________________, but on the other hand it can be harmful to society___________________.
What have you learned about the ways that technology can help or harm society from reading this blog post?
I have learned
writ in 6th grade form
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. ❧
Revisit a section of the text you found important during your first read. Read this section closely and annotate what you notice. Ask yourself questions such as “Why did the blogger make this choice?” What can you conclude?
Annotate:
Question:
Conclude:
Analyze the Text
Notebook Respond to these questions.
(a) Paraphrase Explain the blogger’s comparison of technology to the polar vortex.
The blogger’s comparison of technology to the polar vortex was
(b) Evaluate Is his comparison effective? Explain.
Speculate Why do you think he specifically addresses teens?
I think he specifically addresses teens because
Interpret What does the blogger mean when he says that teens must “take charge in an informed, responsible, and powerful way”?
The blogger means______________________ when he says teens must take charge in an informed, responsible, and powerful way.
Essential Question: How is modern technology helpful and harmful to society?
Technolgy is helpful to society ______________________, but on the other hand it can be harmful to society___________________.
What have you learned about the ways that technology can help or harm society from reading this blog post?
I have learned
writ in 6th grade form
Answers
There are no human answers yet.
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
### Revisit a section of the text you found important during your first read. Read this section closely and annotate what you notice. Ask yourself questions such as “Why did the blogger make this choice?” What can you conclude?
**Annotate:** In the section where the author compares technology to the polar vortex, the author describes how the beauty of the snow is only appreciated when the sun comes out. This shows how, just like snow can be beautiful, technology can change our perspective and highlight new possibilities.
**Question:** Why did the blogger make this choice?
The blogger made this choice to show that, although technology can sometimes feel overwhelming or cold, it also has the power to brighten our lives and give us new perspectives, just like sunshine does for snow.
**Conclude:**
By making this comparison, the author emphasizes that technology can help us appreciate the world around us in different ways. It suggests that if we look past the noise, we can find the beauty and value of what technology offers.
### Analyze the Text
**(a) Paraphrase** Explain the blogger’s comparison of technology to the polar vortex.
The blogger’s comparison of technology to the polar vortex means that, just like how the cold and harsh weather can be hard to see past, technology can sometimes seem confusing or overwhelming. However, when we take a moment to appreciate what it can do, we find its beauty and usefulness.
**(b) Evaluate** Is his comparison effective? Explain.
Yes, his comparison is effective because it helps readers understand that while technology can be difficult to navigate, it also has the potential to reveal new things and enrich our lives, much like how the sun reveals the beauty of snow.
**Speculate** Why do you think he specifically addresses teens?
I think he specifically addresses teens because they are the ones growing up in a technology-driven world and have the power to use technology to create change. He wants to inspire them and show them how they can take charge of their learning and experiences.
**Interpret** What does the blogger mean when he says that teens must “take charge in an informed, responsible, and powerful way”?
The blogger means that teens should actively engage with technology, be smart about how they use it, and take responsibility for their actions online. By doing so, they can make a positive impact in the world.
### Essential Question: How is modern technology helpful and harmful to society?
Technology is helpful to society **by providing access to information, allowing communication over long distances, and enabling innovation.** But on the other hand, it can be harmful to society **by creating distractions, spreading misinformation, and leading to misunderstandings between people.**
What have you learned about the ways that technology can help or harm society from reading this blog post?
I have learned **that technology can be a powerful tool that connects us and allows us to solve problems, but it can also lead to confusion and challenges if not used wisely.**
**Annotate:** In the section where the author compares technology to the polar vortex, the author describes how the beauty of the snow is only appreciated when the sun comes out. This shows how, just like snow can be beautiful, technology can change our perspective and highlight new possibilities.
**Question:** Why did the blogger make this choice?
The blogger made this choice to show that, although technology can sometimes feel overwhelming or cold, it also has the power to brighten our lives and give us new perspectives, just like sunshine does for snow.
**Conclude:**
By making this comparison, the author emphasizes that technology can help us appreciate the world around us in different ways. It suggests that if we look past the noise, we can find the beauty and value of what technology offers.
### Analyze the Text
**(a) Paraphrase** Explain the blogger’s comparison of technology to the polar vortex.
The blogger’s comparison of technology to the polar vortex means that, just like how the cold and harsh weather can be hard to see past, technology can sometimes seem confusing or overwhelming. However, when we take a moment to appreciate what it can do, we find its beauty and usefulness.
**(b) Evaluate** Is his comparison effective? Explain.
Yes, his comparison is effective because it helps readers understand that while technology can be difficult to navigate, it also has the potential to reveal new things and enrich our lives, much like how the sun reveals the beauty of snow.
**Speculate** Why do you think he specifically addresses teens?
I think he specifically addresses teens because they are the ones growing up in a technology-driven world and have the power to use technology to create change. He wants to inspire them and show them how they can take charge of their learning and experiences.
**Interpret** What does the blogger mean when he says that teens must “take charge in an informed, responsible, and powerful way”?
The blogger means that teens should actively engage with technology, be smart about how they use it, and take responsibility for their actions online. By doing so, they can make a positive impact in the world.
### Essential Question: How is modern technology helpful and harmful to society?
Technology is helpful to society **by providing access to information, allowing communication over long distances, and enabling innovation.** But on the other hand, it can be harmful to society **by creating distractions, spreading misinformation, and leading to misunderstandings between people.**
What have you learned about the ways that technology can help or harm society from reading this blog post?
I have learned **that technology can be a powerful tool that connects us and allows us to solve problems, but it can also lead to confusion and challenges if not used wisely.**
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