By Dr. Laura Palmer Noone
CEO of University of the Potomac
What ever happened to good old fashion communication voice to voice? As more and more technology invades our lives, the art of regular conversation seems to be fading into being a thing of the past. As I write this blog, I am sitting on a plane sitting next to two people who seem like nice enough fellows – but they haven’t said a word to me since we boarded this rather long flight. (Apparently “words with friends’ is very scintillating.) It isn’t that I need to know their life story but it does remind me that fewer and fewer people actually talk these days.
Let me give you a couple of examples – I have mentioned my teenagers in previous blog posts. My son was in his bedroom and texted me that he had a girlfriend. That wouldn’t be so bad except that I was in the living room about 10 feet away. My daughter refuses to talk on the phone – she will only text. She was having a text chat with a friend and it was obvious that they weren’t understanding each other’s messages. When I suggested she just call and clear up the confusion, she looked at me as if I was speaking Klingon and then said “that is just so annoying.”
At the office, I am often seated just a few steps away from someone, yet I get an email regarding some question or decision. If there is a reason to establish documentation of a question, then I am all for it. But there are also times that it is better things are communicated verbally.
As the CEO of a college that offers online programs, one of the things I like best is the ability for students to be thoughtful in their answers. One of the advantages of online is that you get to see your response as well as that of other students in the class. Everyone responds to a question instead of merely the first person who raises their hand. Yet one of the cautions I give students and faculty is to use great care in the written word – your facial expression and tone of voice cannot be seen or heard.
Don’t get me wrong – I love things like Facebook and LinkedIn because I have been able to re-kindle old friendships and get great referrals for open job positions. But there are lots of times I long for the good old phone to ring so I can talk to someone in a more personal manner. But if my children are any indication, their phones should just be texting devices – the speaker and the microphone are rarely used.
Interested in pursuing a degree?
Fill out the form and get all admission information you need regarding your chosen program.
