Humanists, Techies and Technology

I have been thinking lately about the difference between a techie approaches to technology as compared to a humanist approach. I previously described myself as more of a humanist: i.e. one interested in the welfare of humanity as well as a student of the liberal arts and one with more of a scholarly bent (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 4th ed). I am motivated by ideas more than gadgets. I am not likely to walk around with devices hanging from me. For me, a Bluetooth is for making phone calls, not bling. I like a good book. Technology is a means to an end – the pursuit of knowledge and culture. I am fairly ambivalent about which device to use as long as it is the best one for the job.

A techie is someone who possesses an interest in, or studies technological fields such as electronics (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language 4th ed). With a techie, these tools may be directed to certain ends, but the focus tends to be on the technology itself. Techies are enthusiasts. In the fashion of all enthusiasts, some things become “must haves.” They may promote technologies which may be exciting and engaging, but may also be expensive, time consuming to produce and of limited value in promoting knowledge and civilization.

I strive to be a technologically informed humanist. I may not be cutting edge, but I try to stay abreast of what is current in the field. I tend to carefully choose which technologies I use on a regular basis. There are also some new technologies which I am watching to see how they develop. As a humanist, I realize that technology is a two-edged sword. Some applications can make the dissemination of some knowledge easier. Newer technologies in particular often impose barriers between those who can and cannot afford new technological devices. My end goal however is bigger than devices. It is deeper than trends. It is to support the making of a better, well informed society.

Lights, camera, search

Most know me to be more of a humanist than a techie. Still, technology, when used rightly, can go far to aid in our other pursuits. As an avid public library user, and a holder of an MLIS, I have learned a great deal about our local public library’s OPAC. There are many ways to use it that the average user may not know. Screen capture software can enable libraries to demystify the more advanced features of the catalog. In the following tutorial, I show how a patron may search for a DVD in the local library collection. Such tools (this one is Jing which is free software), can easily be applied to teaching task oriented skills that can enrich a user’s experience of the library.



click on the following link to view the tutorial for full sized showing
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A Poem

The Booklovers’ Books

You can recognize us, the book lovers
By our favorite books:
That hardback with bent and balding corners
Which always fall open to a favorite page
As if it were an old habit too hard to break,
Or that paperback with the cover
That is warped by the perspiration of our palms
Which sheds its leaves like the tree it once was.
We know that we should have thrown them away
Long ago, but we can’t.
To us they are more than spatters of ink
On the ground guts of trees:
They are the treasured moments of our lives
Which we live and relive
Until we live the lives out of them.

Works in Progress

I remember someone once saying “it is not how they come in: it is how they leave.” If we take education seriously, it is easy to be discouraged by some of the students that enter our libraries. We need to remember that they come from all backgrounds. Some of them have had the benefit of a good secondary education, however some were not afforded that privilege. Some have had fewer life experiences than others. Then there are those who seem to struggle with life management. First-year students in particular may fumble their way through a year or two.

Looking back, I remember how confused and clueless I was as a freshman. I do not remember how many times I embarrassed myself. I also struggled with managing time and assignment workloads. I remember once entering the wrong class sitting through roll call, and even answering to the wrong name because I thought the instructor was mispronouncing my name. My first couple of years was lackluster to say the least.

It has been my privilege to see many students blossom. Some of the most hapless freshmen can become competent students and capable adults by graduation. We play a part in that transition. It is important to keep in mind that all students are a work in progress. Every time we help a student get over his or her fear of the computer or the OPAC, or every time we help them become more information literate, we move them closer to being the person that they are capable of being.