I am not the type of person who spends hours tethered to a computer, at least not of my own free will. Nor do I carry around a device that "allows" me to stay "connected" to the world at large. I like to get my information when I want it but I don't want that information to follow me around all day like a 5 year old that's poking and prodding me every few minutes with "Hey, guess what?". I have witnessed the transformation of individuals from engaging and interesting conversationalists to distracted and vacant warm bodies in the room. I miss some of these people.
So, the challenge I face in learning about and using Web2.0 technologies will be determining how I can lasso these apps into working for me and not against me. I aim to discuss each of the technologies we explore in Learning2.0 in the context of how it worked for me as a student of LIS, business owner, and mother. So far, setting up the blog was pretty painless. Now, lets see if I can figure out how to find my fellow bloggers....
I agree with you that technology is not always as positive an influence as people make it out to be. I am also a person that keeps most technologies at arms length, because I do not like it to control my life like so many others. The same thing can be applied to libraries, while there are many positive aspects for libraries to communicate and connect with new patrons through the web 2.0. These new technologies also seem to create less of a personal connection that I think libraries are so well known for. They can also in someways leave out potential patrons who have less access to computers, or like us do not like technology to be the end all be all.I still do look forward to learning all these technologies to help understand the direction that libraries are taking.
ReplyDeleteI agree so much with your skepticism about technology. I think it is certainly wonderful to have all these developments, but we must remember that they're meant as utilities--sometimes social utilities, yes, but they're not there to replace actual social interaction. I had a memorable dinner at a Denny's once where I watched this group of three punk-style looking teens sit over their Grand Slams in silence as each one tapped away at their smartphone. How awful! Maybe part of the library's technological responsibilities should be to gently remind folks to limit their daily tech intake.
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