Post 6 - "When I was your age..."

"When I was your age, we didn't have all this technology; we used whiteboards instead of fancy projectors and smart boards."

"I can't imagine you in grade school, but what's a whiteboard?"

"Exactly what it sounds like; a  big old white board that you can write on with special markers."

"I can't even imagine that! All the erasing and you couldn't even view it online later"

"Yeah, there are many downsides compared to what you lucky kids have today. We had to translate teachers' handwriting- you wouldn't believe how awful some were! It also could be hard to see depending on where you were sitting, what color pen the teacher used, and even the weather."

"The weather?"

"You better believe it! If it was sunny out there would be glare on the board."

"Gee whiz! The whiteboard sounds awful!"

"I can't believe kids say that again; my mom's mom said that."

"Whatever. Were there any advantages of the whiteboard?"

"Well, the teacher never could write much faster for me, so the note-taking pace was ideal. It also gave students a chance to participate in class by writing in the board. Certain reminders could also be in the corner, like maybe what was due, the schedule, or even who couldn't go out to recess."

"I'll wax you in four-square!"

"I suppose you would, we played tackle football before all these ridiculous lawsuits, but that's beside the point. The death of the whiteboard is more symbolic of a trend that began in my day and became a reality. You know the news used to be called the 'paper' and it was delivered to your door?"

"That's nuts, but what's your point?"

"Nothing is in print anymore. We used to have phone books delivered with all your town's businesses and information. We used to have to write by hand in class and doodle upon notebooks, we used to twiddle our pens- some kids even snacked on theirs, we used explore the library, we used to curiously turn pages and hold a world in our hands, we used to get handouts that we could scribble ideas on; do you ever even use paper anymore?"

"Not really, and that's because you used to use the phone book as a seat booster, you used to doodle- I work on other stuff when I'm bored, you used to throw out clothes ruined from ink stains, you use to trudge around with heavy backpacks, you used to scribble- I type."

"Well maybe someday you can sell my library and buy a new iWhatever they make next."

"No, for some reason, I want to keep those books."

"I know." (smiles)

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