The Ride Begins

     As with many adults, I do not fully understand the difference in my age and the age of some of my college students until I say something like, "You remember when Kennedy was assassinated, it was the first time the world became involved in the funeral and the investigation of such an event on an immediate basis because of TV coverage."  My students look at me as though I have suggested they were around when Lincoln was assassinated.

     Another time when I recognize the difference in our ages has to do with technology.  I struggle to learn new things about the use of technology.  I recall being very excited about email.  I remember waiting for extremely long time periods to be connected to the world-wide-web so that I could read or send an email.  I have become as impatient as anyone waiting the nanosecond required for connecting in today's world, but then, a five to fifteen minute was was not unusual.  In fact, the familiar busy signal often meant waiting considerably longer to be admitted to this world of communication.  My students have grown up with all this new fangled technology (using words like "new fangled"also separates me from this generation).

They use their computers, their ipods, their cell phones to connect to the world as easily as I used the telephone in my youth.  However, no matter how uncomfortable I feel in the world of technology, I know for certain that it is a part of my students' current world and their future.  Therefore, I have an obligation to know more about it.  I have an obligation to try to make use of it and to relate to it.
     I actually find this idea a bit scary.  I fear the loss of some things that I consider to be important.  I am a letter writer.  When I was in college, I wrote a letter to both sets of my grandparents each week.  I love to get mail.  I know that students enjoy getting mail also.  I have tried lately to write a letter to each student at the end of the semester to let them know I have enjoyed having them in class and getting to know them.  Many of them are surprised when they get the letter.  Some say they do not remember the last time they received a letter.  I know it is important.  After all, they took the time to email me that information.  There is something very personal and soothing about holding a letter in your hands and reading the handwriting of a person.  It does seem to be more personal--after all it is not saved in cyberspace for the future, you have the only copy.  It saddens me to think that some people will not have the delight of going to the mail box and tearing open a letter from a friend. 

     Another thing I consider to be important is the ability to mark in books (my own, of course).

It may surprise you to know that I do have an electronic book machine, and I love it for some things-- packs for a trip much more easily than a stack of paperbacks.

However, it is a bit more difficult to access all of those special markings in the electronic format-- you cannot just thumb through as easily or remember the quote was on the page with drink stain.  I enjoy watching my grandchildren handle books.  In fact, for younger children, all sorts of textures are included to encourage them to touch the book.  I would grieve the loss of this experience for future generations.

     Another thing I fear is that face-to-face conversations are a dying breed also.  I see students sitting next to each other with an electronic device in hand, paying no attention to others in the room, but engrossed in a world of electronic making.  Even the best use of electronics cannot accurately communicate tone.  The idolation of electronics has the potential of hardening our senses.

  

     In spite of all of my fears, I know that electronics have meant great things for us.  I have thoroughly enjoyed being in immediate contact with my sister who is currently out of the country.  Her daily emails and picture posts have allowed me to enjoy her trip.

     Last summer I took my grandson to the NASA Space Center in Houston.  As a part of the tour, we were in the room that served as communication central for the first manned flight to the moon.  It was sobering to learn that at each station then, there was a calculator and/or slide rule and a telephone-- no email or computer calculations. I recognize how much safer our world has become with the use of electronics.  I understand there are many benefits.  It is just difficult for me to fully embrace this "Brave New World."

     Yet, I know if my students are to be prepared for their future roles, I must make greater use of technology.  So, here is a step in that direction.  A blog-- I hope I can make good use of this technology during this academic year.