Outline
Yes, I know, this is supposed to be the space for my outline. I have been thinking about this paper non-stop since I finished up my last lesson in Michigan a few days ago. My fellow classmates seem to know what angle they are going with, how they intend to write their paper-the theme if you will. I envy them. Obviously we are supposed to be talking about service learning, and its usefulness (or, perhaps, lack thereof) in some capacity or another. Yet, I worked with a wide range of individuals from all walks of life who are facing many different problems and are gifted in many different ways. I met with those who had never used a computer before, which was facinating if not a little sad because I am only able to help so much…I met with skilled computer programmers seeking research skills…I helped college professors consider bringing in technology to the classroom, and teenagers who just wanted to know a safe way to use the internet to stay in touch with friends leaving for college. I met with politically minded individuals, conspiracy theorists, the infinately trusting, business people, elderly and exhausted working parents. I assisted those who have recently returned to society from prison, people who hate computers and those who spend their days hiding from the light of day and gaming. I may not have had a steady interaction with these people, and indeed I am very limited in my abilities, but it was intense to say the least and the approach I intend to make, well, I have too much information right now to process and my outline will be just a little longer in making its appearance.
What I do know thus far is the importance of the librarian in the age of ‘web 2.0′ (though I am not a huge fan of flippantly used and marketable lingo). There is a wealth of information readily available-much exclusively in digital format, ways to connect and communicate online, and globally there is this push to move forward, ever forward…but we are not considering the concequences or those who are being left behind. The information untapped because it is inaccessable except to a select few and even then…do those few truely know how to use that information-or dare I suggest how to share it and offer it up to others? Unfortunately, I have yet to experience a class where this sort of consideration is being made…well, except the obvious. We may touch upon it, we may dance around the ‘teachable moment’ but in the end-I fear a new generation of librarians are emerging more ignorant than any before…reliant only upon what information can be obtain at a quick keystroke at the computer and too far above in their ivory towers to hear the questions asked by those who are in most need for the help of librarians.
My service learning only supported what I already felt-there is far more than just a digital divide between people of economic classes, ethnicities, genders and politics…there is a divide in society, institutes of higher education and public service in general.
Perhaps I am being too harsh. Give me time, I am sure I will relax.
Lets Give Thanks
It has been far too long since I posted on this site about my service learning. Last week I returned home to Michigan to see my family, and what has essentially become a second family to me: my service learning group. I will be posting a picture soon, I hope, if Margaret develops her roll of film in the near future (my primary contact in Michigan who has assisted in locating venues for our monthly meetings). She has been very busy with her children and new job, but has made more then enough time to assist me with this project.
In Michigan I have set up a semi-impromptu group of individuals (usually about 30 or so at a time, though this past week we had a record breaking 45-mobile in our meeting location going from one college computer lab “shhh, dont tell anyone” to a church basement to an elementary academy and back again) who are seeking assistance developing a series of diverse skills. Some of these I have the ability to extensively assist, others I am limited in my own familarity but can offer a decent foundation, and there are even those which I do not have the slightest clue how to approach-but others who stop by have thus far been able to suppliment my instruction with their own experience and have suscessfully assisted those I cannot.
Many have come seeking the skills necessary to locate the ever decreasing employment opportunities in Michigan-or even those out of state. Some need to acquaint themselves with newer versions of Windows, Office and how to utilize the internet for professional purposes. I have taught numerous individuals how to write resumes and build power point presentations. A few came in search of coding, web design and software advice-the specific realms of which I know little to nothing.
What has suprized me is the interest everyone appears to have in the use of the internet for politics across the board-men, women and even teenagers. I expected to find those who are interested in Myspace and Facebook to keep in touch with friends and family, Youtube and Monster.com, and of course the infamous Wikipedia. I even expected the questions about banking and shopping online-all of which I have tried my best to assist with as careful and cautious as I could….but the shock I face each time I meet with my group and find an ever evolving series of questions about using the internet for political interest and pursuit is more than I can express. I was even invited to a couple presidential candidate MeetUp groups this past weekend, and one individual, Mike, even bestowed upon me a semi-hard to find political sign for my house and a bumper sticker for my car (Although I do not incorporate my political views in my service learning instruction, I do carry a purse which happens to have little buttons in support for my candidate of choice…Mike is very observant).
This visit with my group ran from noon to an exhausting nine at night, and a few individuals came together and organized a mini-Thanksgiving dinner (there was nothing “mini” about it, I almost passed out after three sweet grandmotherly women urged me to eat about five pieces of various pies they had homemade the night before! Delicious, certainly, and more than kind but I am still feeling sluggish!).
The young and elderly coming together this past weekend to learn how to use computers, the internet, office programs and ultimately interacting and even teaching one another (there were too many people for me to assist alone, but I did observe most of the mini sessions that people were volunteering to do in my stead-even learned a thing or two)-sitting down to a home cooked meal organized without requirement or obligation by men, women and teenagers from areas as close as Port Huron, and as far away as Dearborn: a variety of ethnicities, ages, educational and economic backgrounds coming together for our last ‘official’ meeting but likely to meet again with or without my presence. I was touched, really, and despite my cynicism about the future of my country, and certainly my homestate-I feel a little hope, and a little sleepy, still, from the turkey, potatoes, pie, casseroles, bread, cake, yams, cranberries, beans, oysters, rolls, corn…okay, you get the picture….and even more exhausted from all the questions asked that challenged me, often beyond my skills.
I will be posting again soon, I just needed to get my initial thoughts out there.
