Hello!
This is an introductory post, so I may not be a hundred percent towards what this should be. Nevertheless, let's get started.
What I think is pretty cool now a days is that mobile technology is growing so fast. And the growth isn't just in the industry either. It's everywhere. In homes, workplaces, and now even schools. What I think is even more intriguing is that mobile devices are not some high-end luxury. They are pretty much standard now. If you don't have some kind of a mobile device (even if it's simple CD-player!), you don't belong in this century. That's just it. This technology that we see now isn't the future anymore. It's now. And I don't think it will ever be the past (any time soon).
Now what makes me say such a bold statement? It's my own experience. Biased it may seem, but just remember these are not my beliefs. They are observations made by me in the world I live in. And in this world, I see this: Technology is being used as tools now in the classroom. To me, that's the biggest reason why I see mobile devices as the modern standard of living. And this may sound even worse than before, but if the schools can afford them, you know it's a standard. It's just common sense. If technology has grown so much (especially in the area of mass production) that some schools can purchase them on for an entire school body, then they are obviously cheap enough for any individual to afford them. That being true, then everyone should have them (seriously, you can actually buy these things at the dollar store now).
But that's only in general though. My statement about schools affording mobile devices may not be so relevant when in regards to a *higher* standard. This standard, still out of reach to many, is that of the boundless types of modern MP3 players, smart phones, tablets, laptops, and various other mobile PDAs and so forth. This is the standard which the author and most of his peers live in.
Apart of my observations not only emphasize owning the devices, but using them as well.
I believe that's the next step towards the modern experience. In several of my classes now, we have been allowed to use or mobile devices for the benefit of learning. So far, the privilege is unchallenged and has few, if any consequences. Concerning the possible flaws with the induction of technological-based learning, the obvious errors arise; such as the ease to use the devices for social use and media. In my own experience, I can happily report that abuse is usually kept to a minimum. All it takes is a simple reminder if one strays from the idea. Often, the this is best held down by the responsibility of the user. It's just common sense to put the device down during learning. If they don't know that, they shouldn't be using them.
Beyond the few flaws I have seen many benefits arise. Not only do the students learn more efficiently with an infinite amount of free information, but the technology is very conservative on the resources. A quick charge of day for paper saved? I'm in. In one of these classes we use a considerable fraction of paper compared to other classes. As a matter of fact, I have two binders that the same size. One class is device-enabled, and the other has strict consequences for use in-class. Although the binders are of the same size, and the classes differ in material, one is considerably fatter than the other. Can you guess which?
Now, how does this connect to Europe and its history, or even history in general? From my perspective, it's a simple adjustment in society and what we consider the standards of the time. Down through time, we see various trends and ideas that, after a variable stint, seem commonplace after their initial arrival. One obvious example is the automobile. The car was first introduced in the late 19th century, but today it's the standard. Kids now a days (particularly in modern, developed nations) receive them as gifts! Can we relate with today's devices? Certainly! Some kids may be so fortunate to find them in their Christmas stockings on that happy morning. What else can relate? Light bulbs? Yes! Paintings? Yes, remember the ideal luxury home in Amsterdam in the 1600s? Sure.
In a quick summarization, the wave of mobile devices that we see today are alike any other new product or style that came and stayed in time. I will admit that it may not be an extreme revolution in the history of society. At the same time, it's my own observations that lead me to conclude that perhaps today's mobile devices are the next phase in new trends.
