Tethered to Technology

I have really been anchored to technology this semester as I am teaching online for the University of Hawaii Maui College while living in Texas. I teach online every semester, but not normally as my entire teaching load. The level of engagement is not what I want it to be, no matter what new "smart" technology I use. My students see a Max Headroom version of me, floating on their screen. They try to interact with their peers, but the connections are slow or fuzzy at times. It can be very frustrating and daunting.

So is the technology really helping society?

I am an advocate for technology, in any form, and for any reason. Let's just get that straight from the beginning. BUT, as I drove around this week, all over the state of Texas, using my GPS, my Android, my iPod Touch, my laptop and my digital camera, I realized that I am no longer human; I am machine.

I typed in addresses, looked up places to eat, attractions, walking paths. I even used my digital camera to focus for me. I grew up in Texas; what am I doing?

What I am doing is behaving like everyone else in the world. I have been taught to allow technology to speak, think and act for me. Yes, technology can make communication faster, easier and more available, but at what cost? I know I am contradicting my earlier statement, but that is the crux of the matter. I want to be "plugged in," but I also want to disconnected.

Driving around would have been more confusing without all the gadgets and gizmos, but it would have been an adventure. Ten years ago, I never carried a cell phone or GPS. I wrote notes, rough drafts and love letters in long hand. Now I whip out my laptop and start a tap, tap, tapping. What would Shakespeare say if his sonnets were just letters on a screen? Would he have been as creative, as romantic, as, well, Shakespearean?

I am going to make an effort to break the tether and try to be more human.