Technologically Illiterate

[Erudite]

Am I the only one who feels incredibly behind in the world our kids are growing up in? Technology is expanding, changing, and shrinking faster than our kids are growing up!! I used to think I was ok not having all the latest gizmos, but recently I've felt left out and behind the times. I've never had a need to carry technology around with me, but now it seems like more and more I'm a weird old dinosaur because I'm reasonably content with my 3 CD changer boom box in the kitchen, where I groove to tunes while I cook.

So...yes, I'm technologically illiterate. Is that a bad thing?

Technology sometimes feels so incredibly addictive and the more I let it in the more it tries to take over. When technology is too much it cuts out other voices that truly are more important to hear.

But do I think that because my technology is outdated and if I got the right combination of technology it would make my life easier and more able to listen when I need to listen?

How are you handling technology in your life?

[bookworm]

This makes me chuckle. We tease our dad frequently because he is a self-proclaimed "techo-phobe". He refuses to carry a cell phone, but he does have an updated computer and an older ipod.

I LOVE technology. I love having fast internet service, I absolutely LOVE my ipod, but I understand your feelings, too. I feel there is balance because of a few limits I have that are self-imposed.

1. I do not text. Well, not much. Once in a blue moon. I don't care for that form of communication taking over peoples' lives like it seems to. Seeing teenagers with their heads bent over their phones and the deadly drivers who can't stop texting make me worry. So, partly because I don't need or want to, but partly because I'm setting an example to my children, I rarely text.

2. My ipod is for music. Though, if I could have an ipod touch, I probably would, because when waiting in the orthodontist's office or at the HS golf course, or the piano lesson, I do enjoy playing with my DS's ipod touch. But I wouldn't use one to watch movies. No thanks. I prefer my movies on a big enough screen to see faces. Erudite, you don't know what you're missing until you get one. I was the last holdout in my family (the adult family) to get an ipod (at the time they first were coming out I had two brothers working at a Mac store...), and I thought, "what's the big deal?" Holy cow was I uninformed. I absolutely love mine. It's older, doesn't do video or anything exciting, but it holds tons of music and audio books and I just love it. I would have a hard time going back to cds now.

One reason I feel like I need to try to keep up is because my kids ARE growing up in this time, and if they have access to technology, I'd better know what's what. Or at least try to know. It's hard to keep up on everything. My kids don't have their own computers or cell phones, so we are a bit old-fashioned, but it's for their protection (and my wallet's too).

What kinds of technology do you see as addictive? It's been long established that TV and the internet can be. Is there something else? Music? Cell phones? I think the truth is anything can become an unhealthy obsession without balance. I am trying to help my kids grow up well-rounded. They play video games, but on strictly limited time schedules. They are expected to play outside or get some form of exercise, though I have one son who is VERY resistant to this and is not keeping up very well. They have to read at least 30 minutes a day, the TV stays off on school nights, and they are very good about pulling out the headphones when I ask them to. I don't like driving one son somewhere and having him in his little headphoned world. It's rude. So if there are just two of us in the car it's an unspoken agreement that the headphones are out.

I do know I spend too much time on the computer some days. It's an outlet, a relaxation time while I eat lunch or communicate with my family by email. But some days the time FLIES while I sit here. So I try to limit myself like I do my kids. Try being the operative word.

I don't know if I even accurately addressed your topic, but there are my thoughts.

[5ft Diva]

Define technology.

[Erudite]

Computer based stuff...electronic gadgetry...etc.

[natickgirl]

I don't have an i-pod or an MP3 player. I wouldn't even know how to download songs onto them even if I did have them. My cell phone is a cheap pre-paid t-mobile phone, and I just barely figured out how to text on it. (I am VERY slow, and I refuse to use text-lingo!)

I don't know how to use Excel or how to do a Powerpoint presentation, although my kids use Powerpoint for homework all the time.

I can use a zip drive, but I have to re-teach myself how to do it every time. I am proud to say that I CAN attach documents & photos to email! But, I haven't figured out how to rotate pictures so they're not sideways...thus the sideways pictures on FB.

Guess I'm technologically illiterate!!!

[Dia Minha]

Sometimes I feel like I would like to take a class on some basic computer skills. It frustrates me that I have to relearn how to post pictures on Facebook, everytime I go to post pictures. I even quit blogging, because I couldn't figure out how to format. I'm reconsidering loosing Facebook all together and just blogging, so it would be fun to learn how to make it all pretty, like my friends do on theirs. I think I would also enjoy scrapbooking on a computer and I have seen classes offered for that.

When it comes to my children, I'm just glad my hubby is a computer nerd. He puts up safeties and keeps take of our children's email accounts etc.; even mine. I just hate waiting around for him to help me attach photos to emails, post photos on Facebook, or format my blog.

---------- Post added at 08:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:44 AM ----------

Oh, I don't have an ipod or mp3 player, but am thinking I would really like one. Anything that would help with the minimizing the "things" in my house would be wonderful. I would love to have all my music, movies, books, etc. on a small device, rather than having to keep track, organize, dust, worry about getting broken, etc. Of course, when it comes to books, there is nothing like holding an actual bound copy in your very own hands, but that is what libraries are for.

[Erudite]

Hurray! I'm normal!

Sister Beck, in our Stake/Regional Conference today, said that the computer should be used as a tool and we need to not let it take over, especially when it impacts how we care for our families. I'd previously resolved to turn off the computer at night and not turn it on again until I'd done my scripture study, so that I can put the most important first. But with what Sister Beck said, I think I'll turn it off before I leave the house to pick up my kids from school...at about 2:30pm. I'm finding that I'm still spending a ton of time on it afterschool, generally doing valuable things, but those things are not more valuable than my children....they're just easier--the things, not the children. I get to be in control of the things on the computer and my children are another story. But there are many, many things I need to do with my children that don't involve the computer...so I'm going to give it a try!