Curt's Internet History

CurtCastillow
Originally uploaded by Curtis Castillow.

I was introduced to social software at the tender age of 30. My introduction was abrupt. My master's degree in instructional technology thrust me into the online arena in one semester. It was very difficult at first, because I had to learn to operate many applications at once including the internet. I had a little help from friends, but most of my learning came from trial and error and reading software helps. Back then, software help--whether online or printed--had lousy interface. The "helps" were ambiguous and difficult to understand--an instructional technologists nightmare. Ten years later it is still an integral part of my life academically and personally.

Academically, social software is a quintessential element to earning my doctoral degree. I live in Utah Valley--a far cry from cheese valley, USA--so I need to email to keep in touch with my professors. They are often difficult to reach in their offices, and some are slow to return calls, but most of them will communicate back with email in a timely manner. Sometimes, I urgently need a document the professors possess so they send them as attachments. This past summer I did some research that required a specific article from an Israeli professor located on the east coast. Her article was neither online nor available at Brigham Young University. I called her office at 7:30 AM mountain time and she emailed me the article by 8:AM. That's quick considering she lived in Washington, D.C., and I in the small town of Pleasant Grove, Utah.

Personally, social software keeps me in touch with my sisters in Arizona, and my closest friend in Texas. We still call each other on the phone, but email narrows the distance between us by allowing us to exchange pictures and video clips.

I am still at a tender age in my forty-first year, but I suspect when I really get old, I will still use social software in my academic and personal pursuits.