09 autumn reporter 1-20 - Franklin College

Higher education seems to be the front
line of the change simply because we now
have students entering into college who
can’t remember life before the Internet,
and they’re being taught by instructors
who are still, on the whole, trying to
acclimate to the technology’s influence
on the way we learn and socialize. I’ve
been fortunate enough to straddle that
divide and find ways for instructors to
embrace and understand technology while
also encouraging the next generation
to be responsible and productive with
their tools.
FC: Who was your most influential FC
professor and why?
English professor Kathy Carlson. She
taught me everything from how to knit,
to how to learn, to how to survive away
from home. She is an incredible teacher
for so many reasons, and I still strive to be
as good as she is.
FC: One of the topics you lecture on is
Second Life. Why are you a proponent?
(Second Life is a 3D virtual world where
users can socialize, connect and create
using voice and text to chat.)
I’m a proponent of student-centered
learning and of learning experiences that
put focus on the learner rather than the
teacher; the old “guide on the side” rather
than “sage on the stage” idea.
FC: In what ways can the mainstream
benefit from participating in Second Life?
Second Life is a really creative space full
of interesting people doing interesting
things. It’s certainly not a tool for everyone,
but if you’re a creative type you’ll
find a lot to hold your interest.
Right now, in the current economic
crisis, places like Second Life are more
important than ever for business because
virtual worlds offer an alternative to
expensive travel. You can be “with” your
colleagues without ever boarding a flight.
And more than video conferencing, in
Second Life you can simulate business
situations, conduct international focus
groups and even have a little fun while
you work.
FC: What are the biggest misconceptions
people have about social media?
That it’s just too hard to learn unless
you’re young. I can’t tell you how many
people have told me, “I’m too old to
learn this stuff.” I just don’t accept that
excuse.
The other misconception is that social
media tools somehow change the way we
think. There’s no new human behavior
here. People have always networked,
shared information, looked for new
friends, passed notes. Now we just do it on
“Don’t be afraid. You can’t break the Internet so jump in and try
something. Create a Facebook account or try out Twitter.
You’ll be amazed how useful it all can be.” — Sarah Smith-Robbins ’96
Facebook, with text messages on our
phones and by writing blogs.
FC: How does your Franklin College
liberal arts background help in your
career?
I think one of my best strengths is my
fast, creative problem-solving. No matter
whom I’m talking to, I’m able to understand
their concerns and interests and
provide insights into their issues. I simply
wouldn’t be able to think this way if I had
only a narrow education. My liberal arts
background means that I spent a lot of my
undergrad program learning how to learn
and learning how to adapt to new ideas.
FC: Of all the tech gadgets you own, which
is your favorite?
My iPhone, by far. It’s not only a great
phone, but it’s practically replaced my
laptop. I love how flexible it is. If I need a
new tool (calculator, language translator
or level to balance a shelf), I can just
download an app. Plus, it’s a great social
tool that helps me connect to other
people, no matter where I am.
FC: What gets you most excited about
technology?
I’m most excited by technologies that
bring people together: games, mobile and
social networks, all of the tools that allow
us to communicate with one another
efficiently in new ways.
Currently, I’m most interested in
augmented reality, ways to overlay data in
physical spaces such as augmented maps
with friends’ restaurant recommendations
that signal when I’m near the the right
place or a camera overlay that gives me
historical information about an important
building while I pan across it with my
phone. Rather than being stuck at a desk
to use these tools, they’re in my pocket,
in context to the spaces I’m in and the
people who are around me.
FC: What are three easy things anyone
can try today to become more tech savvy?
1. Don’t be afraid. You can’t break
the Internet; jump in and try something.
Create a Facebook account or try out
Twitter. You’ll be amazed how useful it
all can be.
2. Find a technology that is actually
useful to you. Whether it’s a new phone, a
GPS in your car, an instant messaging tool
that makes it easy to talk to coworkers . . .
find a tool that makes your day easier or
more interesting. Match the technology to
your lifestyle rather than the other way
around.
3. Talk to people around you about the
technology that they use. Whether it’s
your kid, your boss or a student, find out
what tools people you know are using and
what they like about them. It’s a great
place to start.
WWW.FRANKLINCOLLEGE.EDU AUTUMN 2009 61