I don’t think there would be a blog post long enough to list the influence that technology has on society and on organisations……
Progress. We cannot fight it, nor would we wish to. Technology is progress and it cannot be stopped. How it has an effect on us as a society can be hugely positive and hugely dangerous simultaneously.
How society and parts of society accept changes is also an avenue of discussion.
It is clear technology has affected the way in which we communicate, who we can communicate with and when we communicate (24/7). It provides innovation and opportunity within organisational structures. It allows us to be collaborative and interactive learners and teachers. Technology provides better access to materials and resources. Actually, better access to everything.
Organisations are utilising social media platforms for marketing, endorsements, employment etc. as sometimes their only platform. Models within organisations can have an ‘uncertainty’ feeling with all this change, along with the need for new and different skills required.
The Educause Horizon Report 2021 discussed adoption of hybrid learning models within schools since the Covid-19 pandemic. This is just one example of the influence technology has also had on organisations such as schools and learning.
However, with opportunity comes risk.
The darker side of tech and society can be seen in lack of ‘real’ connections, our ability to be social within reality. Facetime or chat does not bring the same meaning as hugging a friend. An article written by McQuillen back in 2003 questions the impact that technology could have on interpersonal relationships even then. We are always ‘ON’ when social media is around us, this can have a huge impact on mental health also. Nobody can deny the dangers of privacy when looking at the evolving technological world also.
References
Educause Horizon Report 2021
McQuillen, J, S. (2003). The influence of technology on the initiation of interpersonal relationships. Education, 123(3).