In an age of infinite possibilities of ways to communicate, schedule, document, and otherwise share with and express ourselves to others, I ask: Is all this really necessary? Not that I'm a complete Luddite, mind you, but this is a thought that we should all be keeping in the back of our minds. Whether we're salivating over the newest i[insert gadget here] or trying to figure out the best way to get in touch with someone for work or play, we must ask ourselves: What is the simplest way? The most direct way? The clearest way?
I have been thinking about this in the wake of my introduction to the Sakai site (a relationship which, fortunately, has become less and less trying). Don't get me wrong, this site is a good tool for the class for which I'm using it. The fairly basic interface is not the least bit offensive or distracting. But in the beginning, I thought, "Why are we using this instead of Blackboard? So we need a Wiki page. Does that really constitute having to use yet another system to keep track of our classes?" For the most part, I would say, yes, the experience has been worth while... although I am sure there are others who would argue the other way, and for obvious reason. Read: It's just something else to keep track of!
Today's generations are learning to multitask, manipulate, and manifest in ways which those in the days of yore only dreamed of doing. Before we crash like our computerized friends, it will always -- always -- remain important to ask ourselves in the face of any "innovation": Are we being fancy or are we being fruitful?
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As for fancy v. fruitful, I am tempted to look at the former not only as a word meaning shiny exterior but also its lesser used definition of imagination. Our imaginations have soared out of control, to the point where the device, whooziwhatzit or thingamabobber is more important than it's actual usefulness. So I'm tending to lean with fancy.
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