Reflection on LIS 776

 Looking Back, Looking Ahead


Source Image: Tiny Budda

It has been quite an adventure. I don't know about you, but it took me a lot of courage to sign up for this MLIS and particularly for the emerging technologyies aspect of it. I grew up in the software era and was entirely intimitated by the digital world. As I decided to pursue the degree, i had promised myself to stay clear of anything related to social media and new technologies. I am a staunch believer that Truth that needs to be instilled to our students does not change and therefore old methods are still relevant no matter what people say The application of Truth changes, but Truth itself does not. We all need our points of views to be challenged.

But then I worked up a little bit of courage and thought it was about time to know a little more about this technological monster I was encountering everywhere in classrooms, at the library, and in my personal life. After taking three classes, including LIS 776, I found that I could speak somewhat intelligently about the new technologies around us and most importantly when someone mentioned a new app or tried to show me a new way to share or obtain information I no longer got overwhelmed.

I do not think I will ever become one of those technological wizards who can figure out an app in the blink of an eye and truth be told, that was never my objective. My objective was twofold, first to do something for myself now that my children were a little older and second, to try and learn something new instead of hiding my ignorance by blaming technology as a whole.

I still do prefer the pen and paper as tools for learning and interacting between students and instructor but I understand that we can use technology to achieve and sometimes enhance what we envision. One can still very much develop activities that encourage interactions between pupils using technology such as creating a curated list of physical activities say, to survive in the woods or to learn about new cultures, or to learn a new language. Even though you use Wakelet or Google Keep to develop the curated list, a person would still need to actually experience those activities to master the skills.


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