{Tech Nerds--------------------------------------------------------------------Everyone Else}

There's this gap. It's kind of a big gap, troubling in fact. Because, I mean really, we're the future. And this gap, it's kind of based in technology. There's people like me (this will sound kinda pretentious) that are fairly computer literate and can interact with the Internet. We enjoy technology, enjoy learning about new things and the latest gadgets, enjoy trolling the Internet in search of the latest and greatest new website. Then, there are others. There are kids that, even though they have the ability to, can barely check their e-mail. They get confused doing the most common tasks on the Internet. How is this possible? Whose fault is this? Should the public education system get the blame? Or teachers? Or parents? Or, maybe, even the kids' fault?



Let's start with public education. Isn't the responsibility of education to better and prepare students for their later lives and to help them perform well in the "real" world? And, if this is so, why do we still have teachers who are unwilling to make this change, from a staid curriculum that hasn't changed in decades, to a more technologically advanced one? I know it is hard to change, but making students re-write, verbatim, the Constitution (and, trust me, one of the teachers at my school does this) is not doing anyone any good. Least of all, the students. Teachers certainly don't teach to make money. They teach (at least I think they do...) because they enjoy teaching and bettering the lives of their students. If they are not giving their students the tools needed to survive in an ever-changing technological infrastructure, they are not doing a good job. They are failing their students in the one area where students need the most help; planning for the future.



The students themselves, actually, may be the most to blame. After all, how can there be people who have grown up and lived in the same circumstances as myself, but not know how to do half the computer stuff I do? There's a disconnect there, and where is it coming from? Our education is similar and I would assume our home life is similar. Is it the motivation? Do I just care more about technology than others my age? Of course there are those that simply can't afford this kind of technology. This is perfectly acceptable; it is no fault of the students that they cannot afford a computer. As a matter of fact, the public education system should provide computers in schools for this purpose (but that's a different story.) However, I'm talking about those that have the ability to learn, to better themselves. Technology is the future, and people need to realize that. New skills need to be mastered. It's not a question of wanting. These Web 2.0 (and beyond) skills are a necessity.

So, I really don't feel bad about those students that cannot master these simple Internet tools. The knowledge is there, either through a teacher or a plethora of online sources. If you are not ready to adapt and learn for the future, don't expect everyone else to stop their lives to coddle you. You are responsible for you. Don't expect others to hold your hand. I need people to take control of their lives and their futures, cuz it's really starting to bother me.