Things I take for Granted

When I was reading through Joan Huntley's "The Seven Cs of Interactive Design" I tried to imagine how I could create an interactive website that would somehow aid my students. There are plenty of grammar websites, so I would never feel the need or desire to create another, so what type of interactive website could I create that would benefit the students in my class? I am still thinking about this, and will update this when I come up with a magnificent idea!

When reading through Chapter 1 "1979-1982: The Profession's Early Experience with Modern Technology"  I really found the early history of computers in relation to instruction very interesting. I must say I am very thankful that I was not one of these writing instructors that  created programs for writing on the computer. As I kept reading I really started to think about everything I take for granted when I write a paper. I am not sure I have ever written a paper without the use of a computer, so this honestly was the first time I thought about what that would be like. As I reflected, I realized that I will never say I hate technology again: Microsoft Word should be enough reason for my change in perspective. Below I have listed some of the reflections which altered my opinion on computer technology. 

The first thing I do when I write a paper is research. Without a computer this would be a whole different ball game. I would only have access to the University Library, and if I was doing a composition history paper, this would likely be a huge problem. What if I wanted to do research in the middle of the night, or early in the morning when I woke up? I couldn't. I would have to be ready to research not on my time, but on the libraries. So the first thing I took for granted, thanks to computers and the internet, is convenience. 

Next I would start prewriting, and for this I could get by without the computer. I could write down my quotes and an outline, but I would have had to hand copy any quote I wanted to use when I went to the library to research. 

Next I need to start writing, and I guess I would spread out my handwritten notes all around me and continue to hand write my paper. So when I make changes do I cross things out and draw arrows?

 I know this is not a great new realization; however, I really had never thought about how much easier my student life was made by computers. They have not only made my life easier, but they have saved me time and allowed me to work on a paper whenever I want (24 hours a day!). Even in high school I turned in papers that I had typed on a computer. I cannot imagine what a revision process of a thesis would be like on a type writer! I guess what I am trying to say is I am glad people like Lisa Gerrard and her students were not stopped by sneering engineers who thought writing on computers was "mickey mouse".