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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. ❧

Technical Vocabulary

microchips trigometry pixels

Why These Words? Like other fields, the technology field has its own specialized vocabulary. These three technical vocabulary words are part of this specialized vocabulary.

How does the technical vocabulary sharpen the reader’s understanding of the bloggers opinion about technology?

Answer:

Cite:

Explain:

What other words in the blog post connect to this concept?

The other words that connect to this blog post are

Practice

Notebook The technical vocabulary words appear in “Teens and Technology Share a Future.”

Use each technical word in a sentence that demonstrates your understanding of the word’s meaning.

Microchip:

Trigonometry:

Pixels:

With a partner, take turns listing as many words related to the technical vocabulary words as you can.

Word Study

Greek Suffix: -metry The Greek suffix -metry means “process of measuring.” Trigonometry is a type of mathematics that uses the properties of triangles to determine unknown angles and lengths. Knowing the meaning of -metry can help you determine the meanings of other words.

The Greek root -hor means “time.” What kind of tool or device might someone use in the field of horometry?

The kind of tool or device someone might use in the field of horometry is

The Greek root -opt- means “eye” or “sight.” Why might someone visit a person who practices optometry?

Someone might visit a person who practices optometry to

ANSWER ALL OF THE QUESTIONS

WRITE LIKE A SIXTH GRADER

Answer 1

Technical Vocabulary Response

How does the technical vocabulary sharpen the reader’s understanding of the blogger's opinion about technology?

Answer:
The technical vocabulary helps the reader understand that technology is complex but also very useful. Words like "microchips," "trigonometry," and "pixels" show how technology connects to everyday life and education.

Cite:
For example, the blogger talks about how technology can help with problems in trigonometry, which shows that technology can be a helpful learning tool.

Explain:
This vocabulary makes the ideas in the blog more specific. It helps readers see not just what technology is, but how it affects things like school and communication.

What other words in the blog post connect to this concept?
The other words that connect to this blog post are "operating systems," "information," and "network."

---

Practice

Use each technical word in a sentence that demonstrates your understanding of the word’s meaning.

Microchip:
A microchip is like a tiny brain inside my computer that helps it do all the things I want it to do.

Trigonometry:
In my math class, we learned about trigonometry, which helps us find angles and distances using triangles.

Pixels:
The picture on my phone is made up of tiny squares called pixels, and the more pixels there are, the clearer the image looks.

---

Word Study

The kind of tool or device someone might use in the field of horometry is
A clock or a stopwatch, because horometry is all about measuring time.

Someone might visit a person who practices optometry to
Get their eyes checked and make sure they can see well, because optometrists help with vision problems.