3. The Challenge, Formulating our
own Ideas: Critical Thinking
In writing it is important to understand what
you're reading, take away a theme or idea, and
then formulate a response to it
One of the greatest skills a starting college
student needs is the ability organize information
and create an opinion
4. ● The world is too much with us
o "World" might refer to the natural world
o Mankind or society is a burden on the world
● Man’s alienation from nature
Step 1. Understanding
5. Sordid boon - A contemptful benefit
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn - A person who believes in many gods and
follows an outdated religion
Proteus - Poseidon's eldest son, the god of rivers
Triton - Another of Poseidon’s sons, the messenger of the sea
A Vocabulary Refresher
6. Wordsworth’s poem is written in the 1800s, yet its
meaning can be adapted to present day problems
Wordsworth talks about materialism and how it affects his
society, but the modern day equivalent of this argument
is our technology and how it affects us
2. Formation of our Idea - Adapt
7. “Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers: Little
we see in Nature that is ours”
“We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!”
Use the Source to Help in Understanding
8. On the Board
Write some pros and cons of technology in
modern day life. (Effects on nature, people,
ourselves, Etc.)
9. ● Do you feel that our society's current reliance on
technology is harmful? Have you seen cases in which
this is true?
Its important to understand what your first impression is.
If you can’t choose a side, it’s perfectly ok, thats what
the next step is for...
Discussion Question: Personal
10. Once you have a basis of what you want to talk about, the
next step is to find information to help you better
understand the topic
If you become informed, it helps cement your ideas with
the facts and opinions of others.
The Next Step, Research
12. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1304266/We-spend-7-hours-day-using-technology-computers-TV-lives.html
The average person spends 45% of their time awake on some sort of
technological device
Play the devil’s advocate. Always question what they are saying to see if their
ideas have ground to stand on
Is this necessarily bad? Are we using this time constructively? Does social
media counteract this potential disconnect?
Its important to see the information that is being presented, but it is also
important to realize that their opinions are simply opinions, they shouldn't be
taken as fact.
Outside Point of View
14. When researching, there is no black and white.
The articles you read will most likely not contain 100% useful information
Its important to recognize the bias of the author if there is one, and realize
that their information is meant to persuade the reader
The goal is to find information that causes you to take your previous
knowledge, and expand upon it, making you more of an expert in the subject
Research is not Cut and Dry
15. It is often best to write a thesis after all of your research
is done
This is when you are most knowledgeable on the subject
and will likely have the most clear thesis
Example Thesis: Our current use of technology is causing
a social disconnect within our society, and we should take
measures to prevent this.
Finally, A Thesis Statement
16. 1. Talk amongst your group, share experiences where you have noticed technology
causing a disconnect in society
1. Compare and contrast these experiences. How were they similar, or different?
3. After reading the articles, how do you feel about your own personal use of
technology?
4. Did the articles, youtube video, or this presentation change your original thoughts
on idea of technological disconnect?
5. Did the video have less sway on your opinion than the articles?
6. Which method do you think is more effective for understanding the problem we have
with technology : personal experiences, the articles, or the youtube video?
4. Conclusion What do you Think?
Editor's Notes
The "world" might refer to the natural world instead of the city, in which case it would mean that humanity is so busy that they don't have time for the natural world because "it's too much."
It could also mean mankind or society is a burden on the world, as in "there's not enough space for both man and the earth" or "mankind has upset a delicate balance."
man's alienation from nature, claiming that humanity is no longer susceptible to the influence of the "Sea," the "winds," and basically everything else in nature.
