The Power of Technology

Wow! I never realized how powerful these social networking sites can be. Or at least I didn't realize how much I could do with one of them. Since I joined Facebook yesterday, I have discovered more friends I have not communicated with in over a decade than I realized I had. I've spent much of my free time in the last 24 hours just responding to comments and inquiries from these people! It's addicting! Now, I understand how my students get so involved with them.

Communication is so important today. And with our lives so busy much of the time, it becomes difficult to keep up with those who have passed through and moved on. I am learning how something like Facebook can provide us with the opportunity to quickly catch up and then keep up with people. I also understand how it can be used negatively, and that makes me question if, as a parent, I should allow my own children to use it. It is also what has kept me from attempting to use it myself.

However, being informed is half the battle. As a high school teacher, it is in my interest to learn what my students are doing, not just in the classroom, but outside of it as well. It allows for a connection. While I would not want most of them discovering what I have out there, if I know from experience what they are doing, I can try to tie in my teaching to it. This is classic teaching strategy and "best practices". We are told to "make it relevant, make it real." Chemistry is tough to do that with most of the time, but if I can draw analogies from what is "real" to my students and connect with them that way, I know I will be more successful.

That's what started my foray into the social networking online arena. I have to admit, however, that it's becoming fun to find who I can out there and catch up. The journeys of our lives, the choices we make, affect not only where we are but who we are. It's important to keep up with what we can to remind ourselves of where we have been. I now look forward to keeping up. We don't want to forget the journey that leads us where the Lord will have us go. The technology I am quickly learning to navigate could help me find my way a bit less stressfully.