CRWW Assignment

Jaaron Holmes
CRWW
IN 150
Dr. C. Braniger
Technology: A Burden or Chance for Improvement
We should use technology to expand our writing and communication skills as opposed to just using it for personal enjoyment and entertainment purposes. We are a part of a generation where technology is advancing rapidly and becoming a part of our everyday life in some form. There is a great opportunity to take advantage of these advancements and new knowledge to further benefit ourselves and way of living. Some of us use technology as a means of communicating daily through facebook chatting, online instant messaging, or updating our status on twitter. Being active in these communities requires a certain level of technological literacy. People use much of their free time to browse through these sites, as well as others, with no purpose at all. What if we used the technology to its full potential, to improve the skills which we already posses, or seeking to develop new ones?
   To begin with, I found myself taking advantage of the use of technology when my basketball coach introduced a website called Hudl.com to the team. Hudl.com is an online service where film from practices or games can be uploaded for the viewing of those who are a part of the team or community. It gives you a visual demonstration or review of game plans as opposed to coaches just drawing up X’s and O’s on a board. The game is broken down into single individual clips which displays the type of possession, the length of the possession, type of offense or defense, and the result of the possession. So, players and coaches can view them at their own pace at their own time. The coaching staff can directly comment on a certain play as well as the entire game. It also summarizes the whole game and breaks down the game into stats for both teams, as well as individual players. There is also a shooting chart which displays the exact location of each shot attempt. Shooting attempts are differentiated from makes and misses by a green circle indicating a score and a red circle indicating a failed attempt. Each player on the team has their own individual profile, where the coach can make comments to them personally instead of sending them to the entire team.
   Next, any sport team can use this technology to better prepare and improve on individual performance. Making use of Hudl.com allows us to get more things done in practice due to our time limitations in the gymnasium. Instead of reviewing certain plays each day we can refresh our mind by viewing them online. Also, when coach wants to propose a new play we are expected to view it on Hudl.com before arriving at practice. This gives us an idea of how the play should be executed and allows the coach to use less time explaining, as opposed to breaking down each segment to each player. He can also comment on situations that take place during the game and explain what action took place, why it happened, and what we should do the next time to improve. Players can make note of what mistake was made and learn how not to make it again. Personally, I have benefitted by using it to watch my every move. There is a technique which allows you to slow down the action taking place, so you can follow each particular move closely. Through each viewing, I pay attention to each distinctive move I make and make note of what I can do differently to improve in the future. I also use it to constantly review our plays, so that they become easier for me to remember.
   The football team of Fort Osage High School, in Missouri, has taken advantage of technology to better their program through the use of Hudl.com. (Kazar,) Bult Brock, the defensive backfield and punt return coach, claims the website cuts down about two thirds of the work the coaching staff usually spent breaking down film. According to Brock, he can now use his Saturday afternoons to mow his lawn. (Kazar) Brock states,” he can isolate each punt return of the game and create a consolidated film clip”.(Kazar) Then he can choose which players he wants to send the clips to. Hudl.com seems to have been benefitting the program as they currently sit at an undefeated 9-0 record, already qualifying for the state playoffs. With the teacher’s consent, the players are allowed to review clips during study hall sessions. There is also a method where the players can break down the game film and create a highlight reel to email to college coaches. Their cornerback, E.J. Gaines, has already committed to attend the University of Missouri.
   Some people fear that depending on technology makes people lazy and affect our ability to learn. With that said, we should take it into consideration that technology is developed to make certain tasks easier and not to do all the work for us. It may be true in some cases that we become dependent and expect some machines to take the load off for us. Instead, we should seize the opportunity of developing new skills with the help of technology. Eventually the skills will become a habit and the technology will no longer be needed. For example, if a student depends only on machines to correct their grammar mistakes they will never develop correct grammar skills. This isn’t due to the blame of technology, but simply laziness. Laziness is to blame when it comes to lack of grammar skills and the knowledge of how to properly write. (Potts)
   In conclusion, technology will continue to advance so we should accept it and embrace the new discoveries. The new inventions that are created are for a purpose or as a solution to a problem. We need to take advantage of these opportunities as a way to make certain tasks easier, or to simply help with our areas of struggle. Then, this may inspire one of us to develop the next idea and contribute to technology. Sure, there will always be the idea of technology taking over and ruining our way of living because it makes us lazier. But, the result of Hudl.com exemplifies nearly everyone benefitting who has come in contact with it. It saves coaches and players time and allow them to get more things done. It also helps keep the team on one accord and moving in the same direction. In Fort Osage High School football’s team case, it has brought about much success in result of a winning season so far. Technology will be here forever and continue to expand, so we should strive with it. It’s here for our greater good. Let’s not allow it to overrule us, but always get as much out of it as we can and reach our full potential as a creative, intellectual generation of people.

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