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  • Threads and Spools - Where do we go from here?

    By Eric Stoller December 9, 2010 12:00 pm EST

    This past July, I wrote a post titled "Technology needs to be more than a 'thread.'" The post generated a fair amount of discussion. I have read everyone’s comments, seen a few tweets, and even received a couple of emails. It would seem that technology in student affairs is an issue that we in the profession need to discuss at length.

    In the “thread” post, I mentioned that technology cannot be a thread if the spool is empty. While I appreciate the concept that technology runs throughout all of the functional areas and competencies of student affairs, the technology threads have to come from somewhere.

    When and where do student affairs professionals learn about technology? Is it in their graduate programs? Or perhaps at the occasional conference session? I know what you’re thinking...you read this blog (and several other student affairs technology blogs) to stay abreast of student affairs technology issues that are relevant to the profession. While I appreciate my readers (I love it when you comment!), I feel that student affairs folks need more. We need more publications that feature articles on innovative uses of technology within student affairs. We need the CAS Standards to list Technology as a functional area (Yes, I think it needs its own area). NASPA has a technology knowledge community. Are you a member? ACPA members are talking about trying to form a technology commission. We are generating some momentum.

    The student affairs technology community is unique in that while we may be small in number, we are very loud about #SAtech (this is our hashtag, roar!). Knowledge of technology does not just appear out of thin air.

    Threads can be used to weave amazing tapestries. I want to take a critical look at the spool. How do we fill our technology spools with knowledgeable and vibrant threads? Does it matter if we don’t call it a competency? I have no issue with conceding the semantic front. Long live technology as a thread. Now, where do we go from here?

    Do you tweet? Let's connect. Follow me on Twitter.

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Comments on Threads and Spools - Where do we go from here?

  • Agreed
  • Posted by Gary H , Residence Director at NCSU on December 9, 2010 at 3:00pm EST
  • My biggest concern is that Technology, from my experience, has often been reactive as opposed to pro-active. I've been working to incorporate aspects of technology from online social networking to web development to try to reach out to my students. I've also tried to use it to make it better in how we operate as a unit.

    One issue I have come across is that y many people are "scared" of technology. I have professors who refuse to utilize email and administrators who state we need to continue the pen and paper method of materials.

    As a graduate student, I've found that many individuals in my program have no idea how to set up a blog or create even the simplest of websites. Many people refer to the "tech person" for help on some of the simplest fixes.

    I am so happy to have realized that there is a #satech community, as I was thinking the other day that there needs to be one! I'm working on a blog post about the merits of having a course dedicated to technology in Student Affairs Prep programs as well as how to incorporate it into other areas of the prep.

    Overall, I agree with Eric in that technology needs to become part of everything we do. I think that we do need groups who dedicate themselves to talking about technology in Student Affairs.

    Thanks, as always, for a great post!
  • Not JUST a Thread
  • Posted by Kristen Abell , Associate Director, Residential Life at University of Missouri-Kansas City on December 9, 2010 at 3:15pm EST
  • Obviously, this topic strikes a nerve for a lot of us :-). I really struggle with this, Eric. I feel very strongly that technology should just not be its own interest community, shoved off to the side. And I don't think a technology knowledge community can truly serve all of student affairs - there are just so many different uses for technology, that it's almost hard to start (I posted a comment about this on Kevin's blog if you didn't see it).
    But I also agree with you that technology can't JUST be a thread - it needs to be like a big honking piece of rope - through student affairs. I agree that we need to have it as a standard, and I believe that every university should have several people solely dedicated to many of the different technology areas (application developers, social media consultants, web designers, computer programmers, A/V experts, etc.). But EVERYONE should also be learning to use this as part of their job, and now I'm back to where I started this comment, so I should probably stop talking in a circle.
  • SA Technology Course?
  • Posted by Deb , Professor of Higher Education at UNCG on December 10, 2010 at 7:30am EST
  • I've been thinking and talking about creating a technology course in our SA grad prep program for the past year. What do you think should be the focus of such a course? What should be included? Should it be about competencies? Knowledge? Ideas welcomed.

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