Technology Narrative

In general, or in accordance with the technological status quo of my generation, I’m what one would consider technologically illiterate in most circumstances. I can use a cell phone to make calls, but aside from this very basic function in this not so basic device I’m completely lost. Sure I can figure out how to use my applications after playing with the phone for a while, but I don’t even have internet service with it for the simple reason that it complicates things further – more jumbled space in a 3” X 5” screen. My knowledge of computers is quite limited as well.
The only software I use on a consistent basis is Microsoft Office Word. Since I’m an English major, practically all I ever do is read and write. I read information from textbooks or on the internet and I use Word to type them up. I’ve used PowerPoint and Excel as well, but not since high school, so I would probably be a bit rusty if one were to ask me to use either of these programs efficiently. To give myself a little credit though, I’m a huge fan of iTunes and the myriad of applications therein that are of high quality.
I understand the internet well enough to navigate through it in part due to navigation tools such as Google (which I use most often) or Ask.com. My personal disgruntlement with the internet is that, when searching for scholarly information to cite in essays and such, it’s difficult to get exactly where I want to be when I’m not quite sure where that is and when so much of what is on the internet is nonsense. That statement may expose my lack of understanding to someone who is internet savvy, but I’m well aware that I’m slightly behind the times. Sometimes, for a brief second, I feel as though I’ve almost caught up until something new is created and I’m completely lost again. This, though, is the nature between man and technology I suppose.
I’ve never created or posted a blog and I honestly haven’t the slightest clue as to what a tweet is, or the concept of twitter in general. However, I’m familiar with social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace, and how the applications within these sites work. The ability to communicate several levels from location (site) fascinates me. Since the internet (and therefore E-mail) has basically been created in my lifetime, I’ve been able to watch it grow and evolve just like myself up to the present. I remember dial-up internet connection and how inefficient that was. I would send out an E-mail, and since it wasn’t used as a primary source of communication, would wait a few days and check for a reply after waiting for the thirty minute connection to finally take place. Now everything is high speed. If I’m sending out an E-mail, you better believe I’ll be checking for a reply within the hour (or less).
When in school, the ability to communicate with teachers through E-mail is a saving grace. The discussion board on Blackboard can also be a very helpful communicative tool. Several professors have used this in their curriculums as a way for the entire class to participate in discussion when not in the classroom together, including the professor himself or herself. No matter what method or device one chooses to accomplish it, the ability to communicate quickly is essential in school, in life.