Balancing Technology and Tradition

by: Peter Vincent

Shimer in many ways epitomizes the concept of tradition in higher education. Most of the Great Books read at the College are often those which are considered to have stood the test of time…a great deal of time. With these traditions rooted in the past it is sometimes difficult to embrace the technology of the future. However, the Greeks were one of the first civilizations to harness “techne” or technology. They used “techne” to manipulate their world while ensuring that the natural elements of their surroundings were left mostly unharmed. For example, a bridge built over water as opposed to a dam built to create a new body of water. In the same spirit, a new surge of technology has come to Shimer in recent years, employed, one might say, in the spirit of the Greeks.

A perfect example of this is Shimer's recent use of video conferencing to help facilitate participation in the Assembly. During Shimer’s February 7th Assembly, someone viewing the proceedings online addressed the Assembly over the loudspeaker. At the same time, an average of 35 online participants were following the Assembly at any given time, and a total of 65 saw at least a part of the proceedings. The online participants included numerous members of the community including Board of Trustee members, students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Participation is now possible in the virtual realm. Opportunities for participants of the Shimer-in-Oxford program to be involved in the Assembly have also expanded as evidenced by the group’s online participation and votes during the 2008-2009 academic year. Even preliminary nominations for Committee members now take place via e-mail. Click here to see video of the February 7th Assembly meeting.

In the classroom the story remains much the same; the vast majority of conversations are dominated by face-to-face discussions of the actual books of the core curriculum. Yet, classes like Humanities 1 also benefit greatly from technology. With a projector installed in the Hutchins classroom, students are able to view projected images of art masterworks, and see short clips of operas on DVD, rendering new life to a libretto some may have previously found obscure. It goes without saying that this experience is a radical departure from the Shimer of even the early 2000’s.

The social sphere of Shimer College has also kept up with the recent flood of networking websites and technology today. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even a forthcoming YouTube page all add an element of connectivity previously unimaginable for the college and its community. Current students and alumni are now able to speak with their peers instantaneously, and events for both are often planned exclusively online. From California, to Haiti, to the Eastern Hemisphere of the globe, community members remain connected and make a difference in each other’s lives. Most recently, Facilitator Steve Werlin addressed the Shimer community a few days after the earthquake and devastation in Haiti. Werlin has worked for years at Fonkoze Bank in Margot, Haiti while simultaneously directing the Shimer-in-Haiti project. Students listened to his perspective via Skype, and heard among other things what reputable local organizations were accepting donations.

Tomorrow also offers new possibilities for the Assembly and classroom as well as the hope of further allowing the college to operate in a cost-efficient manner. One of the most interesting suggestions is for students to eventually use e-books instead of hard or paperbacks. The idea has yet to be seriously considered at Shimer, but many have a definite opinion on the matter."E-books make me nervous. There's just something about having that weight in your hands, the physical reality of a book that has meaning to it." Student Allison Savage commented. The ability to upload PDF files to e-books would eliminate the use of packets and older photocopies for out-of-print materials that still find their way into classes much to the students’ displeasure. On the whole, the technology for e-books is still in its infancy, and many individuals are waiting for improvements to be made before making a purchase. Still, a few e-books can already be spotted on campus, and they serve as another reminder of the changing times and the debate surrounding how to put helpful technological ideas to good use while retaining the essence of Shimer College in the process.