On the computer again?

What is it about a computer that makes it a single activity? At least in the eyes of my family, that is what being on the computer is. Not only is it a single activity, it is considered a form of play, akin to watching TV, playing video games, listening to an iPod, etc. For the most part when my wife and son do go on the computer, it is usually is for a limited purpose. Even still they use the computer for more than one task. My wife reads the NY Times, does online shopping, and checks her e-mail. She does all the research and planning for any family trips. My son is usually on the Internet checking up on some game forum connected with a Nintendo game he is playing on his Wii or DS. He also goes on to interact with others to make card trades for games he is playing. He will go on just to play some online game or video clip that he’s heard about.  He even periodically uses the word processor for homework and the Internet to do research that he has for school.

When I go on the computer I have any number of hats to wear. Yes, I do check my e-mail and I even subscribe to online comics that I read on a daily basis (if anything, that is my form of play). I do shop, periodically, but usually just for birthdays and holidays. The more down to earth shopping for clothes and such, I let my wife handle. And I will also agree that I’m on the computer a great deal more than either my wife or son. But I do not consider the time I go on the computer a singular act.

Right at this moment, I’m using the computer as a writing tool. I think better writing on a computer than on pen and paper. I like to write, and do have as a goal someday to be a published writer. To that end, I should be writing everyday. An ideal goal for sure; though one that I haven’t worked out the timing of yet as you can tell by the frequency of entries on this blog.

One of my jobs is as a technology integration specialist for different schools. As part of that profession, I need to keep learning how to use different programs on computers, and where different websites are that promote technology in education. I constantly have tutorials that I have to watch and follow or programs that I need to acquire skill in. I also maintain an e-mail list of teachers that I constantly send information to about good sites that they can use in their classrooms.  All of this requires time on the computer either online or off.

I’m working on some genealogical research on my familyy. This requires not only research online to find data about my ancestors, but also offline, using the scanner to copy pictures that I have and put them into digital albums that I can share with my sisters and their families.

As another career option, I’m a professional storyteller. I use the Internet radio to listen to other storyteller’s tell tales (Check out http://story-lovers.com/). I also subscribe to and am listed on a number of storyteller sites in order to both get my name out in the world and get more information on storytelling events and opportunities. I have my own website, dedicated to my storytelling career, that periodically needs to be updated. I also belong to a storytelling group called LISN (Long Island Storytellers Network). I maintain the mailing list and e-mail minutes of our monthly meetings.

I’m presently taking an online refresher course for Thinkfinity. It is a program that I’m a trainer for. This course takes about 15 hours of online work, over a 2 week period.

One of my gifts this holiday was an iPod. So I use some of my computer time searching out interesting new podcasts to download. I’ve found a storyteller site, (http://www.sydlieberman.com), where I can download stories he tells. This is not only great for getting ideas, it helps me hear techniques that I can use to adapt to my own storytelling. I search out different podcasts of educational technology nature such as: the November learning podcast series, ARTSEDGE: The Kennedy Center Art’s Education Network, and The Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation. Researching these sites out is good but I also enjoy listening to them. It increases my knowledge for the things I do. I will admit I also download fun podcasts, like Decoder Ring Theater, Shortcummingsaudio.com, GrammarGirl, and FolkAlley.com.

The bottom line is that the computer is a tool for doing different things. My being on the computer doesn’t mean that I’m doing a thing. All of the things that I use the computer for are fun for me. Maybe that is why my wife and son see it as play. But then again as Confucious said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”