The best part about online courses is the interaction and discussion among classmates. The text and lectures present theories, histories, etc, but the reactions among classmates as revealed in the discussions helps me to put the history and theory into a framework; a context if you will.
As I consider the rapid pace of tech innovations to come and read the frustrations of fellow classmates who live and work in the path of such developments, I learn not only the relevancies with regard to what’s needed but equally the irrelevancies with regard to narrow thinking within society at large.
Every technology has experienced its own ‘acceptance’ curve which begins slowly and accelerates near vertical at the end. Then a paradigm shift in technology pressures new developments to take that former invention to a whole new level (ie. telegraph to telephone to video-conferencing to text messaging, etc). And here’s the rub…
Whenever new technologies appear, the general public decries its necessity and/or frugality based on a linear thought pattern. Yet every instance of such innovations is unveiled in an exponential curve of acceptance and utility. This semester’s class, made up of technology minded, educationally thoughtful, forward thinkers STILL thinks linearly. A paradox to be sure but telling no less that humankind still has room for dreamers. Wake up!
