It’s the 1980s; the band of the moment is live in concert, and music enthusiasts remember to bring their lighter to wave in the air during the power ballad.
Two decades later, concertgoers are leaving their lighters behind but bringing their cell phones along to light up the stadium like those who did during a performance by Jessica Simpson at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards.
Students this semester are
members of a generation who have become more technologically advanced
than any before them. It is not surprising to find people chatting on
their cell phones between classes or pulling out their laptops during
breaks to make last-minute corrections to a paper.
“ePortal has been a lifesaver in some situations,” said Dominique
Flores, a freshman Radiology major. “It’s so much easier to
just email your teachers when you know you will not be able to make it
to class or when you have a question on assignments.”
Cartoon by James Huizar
“Along with being a hot fad, cell phones really have become a way of life,” said Danielle Douds, a freshman Physical Therapy major. “I can’t imagine driving across town and having car trouble and then not being able to call anyone for help.”
Students with laptops and WiFi cards may access wireless Internet connection in the Learning Resource Center. In addition, the LRC will allow students to check out one of 15 new laptops for use in the LRC beginning next semester.
The LRC also houses the Information Concourse on the second floor, with about 40 computers with high-speed Internet connections.
“The availability of the World Wide Web and web databases that the library leases for student use have been of great benefit to students,” said Colby Glass, Chair of the Library and Information Studies Department.
One of the most recent technological crazes is the Apple iPod. Not only can students carry around thousands of songs on their iPods, but they can also attach a voice recorder that can be used to record lectures in class. iPods are now available for use with PCs for those students who don’t own Apple computers.
“I have really been thinking about getting an iPod now,” said Flores. “My friend has one and always has it with him and says its really easy to use and something fun to have.”
These new technology-savvy students have been “voting” in the stores, as a National Retail Federation survey reveals sales of technological products would reach $3 billion in August 2004 because of back-to-school necessities, according to www.alwayson-network.com
“There is so much more offered to us than generations before us,” said Justin Smoot, a freshman Wildlife Biology major. “I remember when everyone started using instant messenger and that was the ‘hot’ thing, but now we have pagers just for that or we can text [message] our friends from our phones or receive e-mail from our palm pilots. There is so much out there for us to use and take for granted.”