Search

ARCHIVES
CONTACT US
WORLD NEWS

Fear of an E-planet

Arizona Daily Wildcat

There has been a question lately as to the merits of professors who are so-called technophobes or technopeasants; that is, those who couldn't navigate their way out of a virtual paper bag if there was a blinking cursor leading the way. Students bemoan the fact that their teachers are being forced to incorporate technology and the World Wide Web into their lectures when they are not capable of using such programs. Before we gather up our lynch mobs and head toward the History department, let's be aware that these days, technology has become an animal of its own. While it can be used to help out in the classroom environment, the principles of education that have held true for so many years may, in fact, be hindered with the introduction of a brave new classroom.

Not too long ago, I opened up an old email account that I hadn't checked in a while. I was basically doing it to make sure that there were no creditors claiming that I owed them some money. But, I was also curious if any friends from days gone by had written me recently.

I opened it up and nothing seemed awry. My contents were basic. There was something like 39 messages, 28 new. It's not as impressive as you think - it had been over nine months since I last checked my mail. People (friends and family included), typically don't write me because that usually means I'll write them back; something no one should look forward to. My inbox was basically full of notices from the library saying I had overdue books and notices of university guest lectures that took place while I was in another country.

Halfway through deleting it all, something caught my eye. I saw the words, "Valentine's Day" in the subject space. The message had been sent on February 13, 1998. So, the timing wasn't the problem. The sender was.

I opened it up and read, "The NBA wishes you a happy Valentine's day." I read it again, just to make sure I hadn't missed something. Sure enough, that was about all there was. I think it was signed by David Stern and gave me the option to see a photo of sweaty Karl Malone if I wanted to. I passed.

Professors shouldn't be expected to expose themselves to this sort of abuse by having an email account.

Then there are the good ol' listservs - the devices which allow you to receive dozens of messages from people you've never met who don't seem to understand that by responding to one message, they are sharing their thoughts with everyone.

Then there are the heated discussions that can develop which everyone receives, but few people care about.

I somehow got signed up for an ASUA listserv where I saw elected officials making fun of school issues that were commented on in previous messages. These soapbox pundits, as they would be expected to, responded to these personal attacks but did so over the listserv as well. I found myself drowning in a sea of World Wide Anger every time I checked my email. I no longer knew who I was so I stopped reading my email all together.

Professors would probably never make it out of their offices were they to have an email account, not to mention the listservs.

Another form of communication that has become popular is the chat room. When I first heard of this concept, I got the Fear. The fact that someone can join some group, pretend to be Aimee from San Francisco and actually be Cletus from Des Moines, just opens the floodgates for psychological problems down the road for all participants. People who communicate in these forums are often looking for an outlet for the Mr. Hydes in their lives.

By allowing our faculty to participate in these kinds of forums, we are taking chances with those who might be administratively dropped from a course called reality.

So yes, there may be a problem with faculty at the university not being technologically compatible with today's times. Perhaps they should be retrained or even retire if their class is so dependent on today's technology. But education has flourished for decades without the likes of the web and the devious critters it has spawned. So, you can get your virtual education. As for me, I'll return to the days of slate and chalk any day, just so long as I get my three R's and you keep me away from that web.