Week 3, Thing #7

Reading through some of the other blogs, one of the writers raised a question about the amount of time technology takes. It really is a mixed bag, isn't it? On the one hand, technology enables us to do so many things that weren't even possible a short time ago. Is anyone else old enough to remember Dick Tracy and his 2 way wrist TV? Or Maxwell Smart and the phone he had in his shoe? Now, I see kids in real life talking on their cell phones every day. My children, who live halfway around the world, are almost as accessible by phone and email as if they lived down the street. I can communicate and get information in a fraction of the time it used to take. It really is a whole new world.

On the other hand, there are so many possibilities that it can be overwhelming. Even just the few things we have already learned for this class simulate all kinds of ideas of ways I could use them in my library. Start a blog! Put photos on my website! Make posters and bookmarks! The problem is: what things am I doing now that I am willing to give up in order to add these new projects? I know we often think of technology as being a time saver, but in reality, the new things we do tend to soak up plenty of time. It becomes a priority and time management question. There are lots of good things to do. What are the best?

This is the question each of us must answer. Seeing technology as a supplier of tools to accomplish our goals rather than having our activities driven by the possibilities raised by technology is the key to choosing where to best spend our time. It is a question each of us must answer, and re-answer, as we examine our practice and priorities. It is good to be aware of the possibilities that technology provides us. It is even better to chose wisely which will serve your goals for your library and your students.