Are You Up For The Tech Out Challenge?

Finish this sentence with the first thought that pops into your mind:  "You know you're living in a digital world when...."   Easy right?  It is not hard to come up with examples of how a digital world has changed life for the better or worse.  What is difficult is trying to come up with examples of if going back to the old ways would be better?   That is if the "old" ways can be remembered.  Let's be honest when social media posts up meme of old telephones, washboards or card catalogs and asks the question, "how many remember what this is?" ,  the first impulse is to blurt out what it is.  The second impulse is to remember how far back that object dates.  Ten, twenty or fifty years?  It doesn't seem that long ago dail-up modems were the only way to travel on the information highway.  Yet,  in 2015 the thought of having to wait a minute for a page to upload seems like FOREVER.   Is this an exaggeration?  Perhaps but there is truth in the statement.   There is also truth in that libraries, for better or for worse, have fallen in the trap of keeping up with technology.  What is being lost is the art of communication.  That's where the digital world has created the most havoc.

Due to the increase usage of the Internet,  social groups that once would meet face to face, now just "meet" and "converse" online.  What is even more irritating are the responses in happy faces or cartoons that express the emotions of the moment or reaction to what has been said.  Is this the slippery slope of trending away from reading, writing or speaking?  This may sound like someone ranting over something trivial but it has been the experience that these small changes in culture tend to have an impact on what technology will come  up with tomorrow.  Ah, the simpler days are gone, or are they?  Perhaps there is a way to recapture the experience of unplugging and recapturing the simple art of communication.   For a back-to-school/get-to -know-your-peers activities here are some ideas that can be effective in opening the door to communicating the old fashioned way.   It might just make the entire school year better as well.  Most importantly it will get students and parents to understand the huge role that technology plays in daily routines.

Some may call this idea similar to going cold turkey.  Others may call it going off the grid.   The best title to give this exercise is Tech Out Challenge.  In other words, how long can students do without their social media gadgets?  Give each student a manila envelope. Have them write on the outside of the envelope the date and time that they have last used the device.    Instruct them to place their phone in the envelope and seal it.  Once they do this, they are to place the device in a safe place and not retrieve it for three days.  In the event that the student "feels" the need to use their phone, they may retrieve the manilla envelope and rip it open.  At that time they will record the date and time they opened the envelope and the reason for retrieving the device.   Regardless of when a student opens his/her envelope,  all students will participate in a group discussion where the topic will be how well or badly the students did during Tech Out.  Some of the questions to consider asking:

How did you feel about not having your phone with you 24/7?

What did you enjoy the most during  this time?

What did you miss the most during this time?

Would you ever participate in a Tech Out Challenge again?

How has this changed your view about technology?

Remind the students that there are no right or wrong answers to these questions.  The best part of this program is to see how surprised students are out their findings.    It is amazing to see the reactions of teens when they find they can live without technology and still be connected with their social and family groups.

As for the adults who choose to participate alongside their younger counterpart, they too may find something interesting about themselves and technology.  One of the major drawbacks to technology is that it brings with it more distractions.   Has someone called?  Who's online ?  Was there an email missed?  Now bring all these distractions into a learning environment like a school or library.  Is it any wonder that students haven't become stark mad raving lunatics.    This type of constant fight for the students' attention can only lead to more stress and distraction  Not to mention, a loss of social skills.

Consider this an invitation to try this challenge at home, work, library teen programs  or church group.  As life gets more hectic, it is better to take a step back and unplug.  It may be the only way to connect with the real world again.  Or in the case of students,  the opportunity to connect in the "real" world.  

The Gig's Up: Librarians Really Just Want Patrons to READ more.

At this point in history,  it's fair to say that not everyone is born a reader.  A while ago ALA graphic store had a cute little onesie that said "Born to Read" .  It was cute but not accurate.  It's what we all want to believe as librarians and educators.  In all honesty,  some need to be taught and shown that reading is essential and fun.  Especially since the younger generation is constantly bombarded with all types of electrical gadgets and toys to grab their attention.


How do we get child who does not have the DNA stamped reader in him?  Give him or her  books.  Doesn't make sense to do this right?  Wrong.  It's the attitude of keep trying until the right book is found to engage their minds. Despite what certain educational sources claim about  studies  that prove  video games can teach valuable skill, such as strategy or critical thinking, there is a deep concern about what is lost when children are ensnared into the video game world.  Quite simply the ability to communicate and express oneself is lost.     When it comes time to interact with a live person, the communication and social skills, these children demonstrate their awkwardness.   It really is easy to identify a child who reads regularly and the one who is the "gammer".   Reading helps strengthen the vital skills needed to interact with the real world.

As professionals who work with readers of all ages,  the main objective should be to encourage reading for any reason and for every season.    In the past couple of years there have been trends in library programming to offer gaming at the library.  Initially, this seemed like a great idea.  A chance to reach out to the gammers who would normally pass up the library without a second thought or glance. The theory was once the gammers came in, they would check out video games and perhaps glance over the books.    However,  as technology changed allowing better, faster and easier access to games through smart phones,  the need for programs aimed at gammers diminished.  Why go to the library to play a game when an entire network is available at a finger tip?   As a matter of fact, games can be played anywhere, anytime.  Can the library provide this?

The answer to that question is yes, it's possible to provide  24/7 access. At what cost?  It's not just the dollars we are speaking about.  It's the value of the library and it's services to the community.  If the mindset continues that there is no need to go into the library, the building disappears, the staff  go home and the patterns will find other places to sit and click.  After all the library has fallen into the trap of trying to make everyone happy and no one is thrilled about the library


Perhaps it's time to fess up and let the world know what libraries are really all about and not shy away behind the curtain wanting to be  everything for everyone.  Libraries are all about information.  Gathering, reading and absorbing information  to give meaning or usefulness in ones life.  Libraries are literary and should be proud of what the provide.  Why tangle in the mess of  video games,  cafe shops in libraries, and legos contests.?   It's time to go back to the basis and reach out to the community and invite them to enjoy a good book --- on us.  It's a small step to chaining a community and strengthening  communication skills.  What could be a more important roll for librarians?