• 9 years ago
• Posted in:Introductions
• 3
• Author: ttuck2012

Hello everyone; I going to switch the suggested order and start with providing paragraph 2 first.
I’m Terry and this is my eighth MET course. As a post-secondary support services assistant working with students and staff in the Educational Technology Centre of Okanagan College’s IT Services department in beautiful sunny Kelowna, B.C. I experience almost daily the dilemmas of our users when it comes to integrating technology in all its forms into their teaching and learning. I originally hail from the Maritimes (that area of Canada that was totally snowed under this winter) which may or may not explain my idiosyncrasies. I also had a previous career working in both public and post-secondary libraries so that can be partially to blame for my excitement in seeing my dear old friend; most likely my first love – literally, the Oxford English Dictionary, highlighted in Module 1. Flipping through the pages of a paper bound version in 20 + volumes was akin to being an explorer not knowing what fascinating tidbits of knowledge would catch my eye.
I am also an artist with a BFA which is why my chosen image ‘that speaks to the issues’ will be inserted on the weekend. You just can’t rush an artist.
I do have to jump right in though with a few comments on the Prefatory Materials provided.
1) I would be open to a discussion on Snyder’s views /example on writing technology and the so called associated ‘kinds of thinking’ as mentioned in our Course Overview. I’d like to read what she has to say about such influences as adults such as instructors on learners and budgets.
2) I was intrigued by the phrase “computerized writing tools” thinking it could be read as computerized _writing tools or computerized writing _tools. Change of meaning? (from our Course Overview)
3) Intellectual Property and Protection of Privacy (under Course Texts). Your rights and your responsibilities: “…you may choose not to participate in any activity that requires you to post your personal information (e.g., an assignment) on a server outside Canada”. Surprising, I don’t recall seeing this statement in any of my other courses. We’ve had this discussion at our college and I’ve also seen other social areas (health care) wrangle the pros and cons to this issue. Maybe I’m too Canadian. These days I don’t see a lot to promote the ‘Made in Canada’ self-esteem. Are we eroding our Canadian identity? Is it a matter of everything on the other side of the fence looks greener? Could we not reverse that ideology and have others come to us? In keeping to this side of the fence, would we not be providing employment for people on Canadian soil? My thoughts are not engraved in stone so I’m open to discussion.
And a big THANK YOU to those classmates who are sharing their knowhow on web blogs. This is my first one and I certain appreciate it.

Part One: In a ‘post print society’ described as having no writing or mass producing of books makes me think of a past time where information was passed on by word of mouth; therefore memorization was a respected skill. Knowledge could be unknowingly altered by human error. With printing came expanded social access to those who could read and write. Vocabulary grew. In today’s fast paced world, we are using less vocabulary and witness each year the delisting of words from dictionaries (OED). Technology may be able to store masses of data but unless we keep transferring that data over with each new version of emerging technology we will lose access to our past. Ultimately we could still be using the old technology of cataloging theories of Dewey and the Library of Congress. Maybe there is a new role for the physical libraries/ museums in societies. I think of a ‘post print society’ looking much like life on the moon/Mars. Will next generations be texting each other in space?
My image started with a blank canvas /slate. The issues in the course will radiate from me and reach out globally (the map). Technology seems, to me, to be the practical use involving the Art of the Mechanical. So these are items that represent a fraction of the technologies that have influenced me from the past and present (limited by size). I have also included representatives of historical mark-making in the form of a stick, a feather with ink, Chinese and other brushes, charcoal and lead. Each goes hand in hand with the art of storytelling – be it with words (wooden postcard) or figure painting (Russian doll) to photography (cameras). To be open to the textual transitions weaving through our lives we require a multisensory alertness to maintain our inner child’s curiosity (photo). I was looking for a word and found it was with me all the time – Try.

I’m looking forward to what lies ahead for us in this course.
Terry