Virtual Thanks!

I continue to just love my IU teaching job. It fits me perfectly...love the connection to students, the need to continually learn and the flexibility to do my work from wherever and whenever (well almost) I want!

I have been a "virtual" worker for so long that I was really jerked back to reality during a recent faculty meeting at the school. Now mind you, this was a room of master's and doctorally prepared acadamicians who are all just amazing people. But as we discussed a renovation to the 'faculty floor' of the building, there very clearly emerged a dichotomous curve. There were those who clearly not only love their offices, but have strong preferences regarding all aspects of the floor design, from how big, where at, how their desk faces, etc, etc. I was struck by their passion as I don't even need nor necessarily want IU to spend monies on an office for moi'.

I was so amazed, yet after reflecting on the discussion, realized that their preferences are no less valid than mine. My preferences are just as strong at the other end of the curve...I need to work where and however I want to...be it the library, grade papers at 1am, on a flight or at a Starbucks (where I do some of my best work juiced by a Venti black unsweetened iced tea if I do say so myself!). I'm currently teaching a class that is TOTALLY online...we never meet, students read about, turn in and I grade all of their assignments online and even my office hours are online using Breeze Adobe technology.

All of this just begs the question around how all of this "virtual-ness" drives some of us? while for others, it's disturbing? And most importantly, how dramatically our work, social and family lives are being affected. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't log onto Brooke's blog for a dose of my grandchildren's latest antics or Skype them on the weekends between our visits. We're in touch it seems multiple times per week with our three sons via GChat, texting, email and cell phone calls. What would we have done if we didn't have these mechanisms to stay connected across the miles between NYC, San Fran and St. Louis? I think it's a really fun subject to think about!

Anyhoo, when turkey time rolls around, I'm sending virtual thanks for my virtual world!