Technologically Dependent

My last Communications 330 class on Tuesday was cancelled after a technological error in uploading a necessary video for the lecture.  I found it interesting how because of a technological error/mishap, class couldn’t be held.  Although I was born and raised in the era of a mass technological boom, it still amazes me how far we have come.  As a communication major, it’s innate of me to analyze the different technologies and ways we communicate these days.  I can’t wrap my head around our reliance on technology in and outside the classroom.  Outside of the class dependence is a whole topic of its own, however, within the classroom, without access to the internet, computer, or printer, a student can’t successfully get through school.  In fact, it’s doubtful a student would make it past the first week without these tools.  I am a firm believer in how advanced we are due to our technological resources, but in terms of education and school, I hate how dependent academia is on it.  So much so, that without a video, one of my classes was cancelled.  There’s no way my teachers would accept hand written papers (although I wouldn’t want to write them), it’s still an interesting thought.  If papers had to be hand written, I guarantee the page length requirements would be ten times shorter, for example.   There are numerous pros and cons on this topic, but I just felt like shedding light on it from a macro point of view.  Not all things technology are bad in academia, obviously, however, not all are good.  Half of my teachers didn't even hand out paper syllabus copies to the class, saying if we wanted it we could download it online.  I don't know.  It's a very intense, long, and broad argument, but I don't go a day without thinking it.  My main point is that without technology no student can succeed in school.   And that’s a very scary thought. 


Tom Peters