I work as a level II support analyst, and recently, our CIO shared the video of the monk with the book and tech support with the IS department during an all hands meeting. What struck me is how patient the tech support monk was...being the condescending IT guy that I am, I would have been much ruder to the monk learning the new technology. I have found that as I have become more tech savvy in my life, I have less and less patience for those who are not tech savvy. I am appalled when we get a group of new hires fresh from college and they lack basic computing skills. It is not just teachers who are illiterate many of the students are as well.
While I applaud the author of this blog for her insights on the new literacy; however, I wonder, who will be left out, and what will remain if our civilization dies. How will those who live in poverty learn these concepts if they do not have access to a computer. What happens to all of humanities knowledge once it is digitized...will future civilizations be able to study us or will the thoughts of our age be lost to the sands of time?
I agree with you on getting frustrated with those you aren't as tech savvy as others. One day at work I heard a coworker call the help desk to ask how to change the picture of her wallpaper on her screen.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time I get frustrated myself with calling the help desk. I think they are used to dealing with users who aren't familiar with computers. For example I will call and tell them what is wrong and what needs to be fixed with a connection issue. They insist on remoting into my computer, even though I tell them numerous times it's not a local issue everyone is having the same problem. There's a reason we refer to them as the helpless desk.
I probably should have put my real name in the that comment. I don't know how to edit it. So it's me Sara Ebel that wrote that comment.
ReplyDeleteExcellent points about patience and access here. A lot of people like to gloss over the discussion of economics or assume that the younger generation automatically knows how to use every technology when that certainly isn't the case. This could be an idea you explore later in the semester too--how lack of access in one's youth might impact their workplace lives.
ReplyDeleteoh, don't forget to assume an audience beyond our course and introduce/link to readings whenever possible.
ReplyDeleteI’m going to comment on both your posts in one….the first is a question, not a comment, but why do you feel like blogging is your one outlet that allows you to express yourself? I have always pondered this fact about people who have this whole other “alter ego” that they present online. The medium, Second Life comes to mind. I have never understood that, what does the internet have that real life does not? More of a person question there I guess, feel free to answer, or not. Getting back to the article and your comment on the video of the Monk, I also feel that frustration when people don’t understand technology. Being “computer illiterate” in America in this day and age seems like a big hindrance to me. I suppose there needs to be more discussions and ways we can involve everyone in the technology boom. I don’t know if society will be better or worse for it, but at least we will all be on the same page.
ReplyDelete"but why do you feel like blogging is your one outlet that allows you to express yourself?"
ReplyDeleteIn life we have to follow rules, at work you have a boss, an HR department and multiple rules to follow in order to earn a living. At home we also have obligations to family, friends and neighbors. When I write and post it online, the only person I am writing for is myself and the only rules I have to follow are my own.
....and if anyone else finds it interesting/controversial/compelling/disgusting/etc and elects to comment, it's a conversation that you can join or end at the simple click of a button....I think I get it.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of people who have no excuse for lacking "technical literacy," but I know there are plenty of people whose illiteracy is due to their socioeconomic level.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are barely scraping by, two things are at play: 1. There is no money to access new technology. 2. There is no time to go to the library to figure it out.
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteYou are correct about those who lack literacy due to socioeconomic level, and if my local library is the norm, there are a couple of other points to add, there is no one at the library who can teach them how to use the technology due to budget cuts and/or the equipment is not functional and cannot be replaced.
Very true.
ReplyDelete