Everyone knows that their dreams are often influenced by everyday frustrations, excitement, and worries. What happened when I woke up dreaming that I was in a Faraday cage the size of a Gothic clock tower unable to leave because of all of the electricity frying everything outside of the building?
Recently the sheer amount of tech that has entered my position as an instructional designer has become daunting. In a high school a lot of tech stuff is to be expected as we put the finishing touches on our students before sending them out into the world. In one of the components of my job evaluation I am asked to inventory, maintain and train on all of it. This is everything from a 3D printer (very cool, haven't the slightest idea of how to use) to the installation of ceiling electricity for mounted projectors. With over 1000 individual technology items on one campus I am expected to be the master over two high schools. The scary part is I am the person that is in trouble when items come up stolen, broken or missing. Email messages of mice required, presentations to be set up, and quotes for the purchase of even more are run across my desk.
After typing all of that I am beginning to understand why I am waking up dreaming about being captured by electricity! A Faraday cage disperses static electricity and signals that come into contact with it. This creates a dead zone inside that we use extensively to protect sensitive electronics. Are my dreams telling me something? Is this why I didn't wish to leave the Goth Clock Tower of Safety? (to many comic books in my life I think)
As a professional who didn't want to get up and leave that safe zone this morning I can take away a concept to share with my teachers. We have to realize that at some point we will be overwhelmed and we will seek out a metaphorical Faraday cage to hide in. The key is to know when our lives are about to be over run and when we need to seek out the calm inner peace that we need.
For me that is usually turning off some tech or ignoring the phone. I love my connectivity and will watch some Amazon Instant Prime, while playing Candy Crush on the iPad, reading articles off of twitter..... sorry, I had to answer a text and complete some work on my Surface. Imagine a teacher who is not a connected educator? They have to grade a stack of papers, record grades, call parents, communicate positives and negatives, and plan for professional growth.
It is not a surprise that I am exhausted just typing this information. You can see how easy it is for someone who is as connected as I am to get caught up in the flow of data that I am always consuming, manipulating and regurgitating. I am flustered just thinking about it, this is why reflection is good.
After I woke up and started to put these thoughts on paper the realization that I sometimes feel trapped in tech became a reality. Other who are not connected like I am don't understand the predicament I face. Some would say just turn it all off. Sorry, not an option if I would like to stay employed. So what do I do to calm down? I take things apart.
Not violently like in Office Space but one nut and wire at a time. Old tech from around the house that has no value as a working device. Stuff from friends and even from the neighbors trash. Yep, sounds like I need help but the truth is it can be very calming to listen to a TV show and take something apart not having to worry about putting it back together. When I am done I sort it all and sell it to the metal recyclers or put it in the recycling bin. Sure it can be dirty but it is my way of helping the environment and getting the last laugh on the crap trying to put me in a cage.
Recently the sheer amount of tech that has entered my position as an instructional designer has become daunting. In a high school a lot of tech stuff is to be expected as we put the finishing touches on our students before sending them out into the world. In one of the components of my job evaluation I am asked to inventory, maintain and train on all of it. This is everything from a 3D printer (very cool, haven't the slightest idea of how to use) to the installation of ceiling electricity for mounted projectors. With over 1000 individual technology items on one campus I am expected to be the master over two high schools. The scary part is I am the person that is in trouble when items come up stolen, broken or missing. Email messages of mice required, presentations to be set up, and quotes for the purchase of even more are run across my desk.
After typing all of that I am beginning to understand why I am waking up dreaming about being captured by electricity! A Faraday cage disperses static electricity and signals that come into contact with it. This creates a dead zone inside that we use extensively to protect sensitive electronics. Are my dreams telling me something? Is this why I didn't wish to leave the Goth Clock Tower of Safety? (to many comic books in my life I think)
As a professional who didn't want to get up and leave that safe zone this morning I can take away a concept to share with my teachers. We have to realize that at some point we will be overwhelmed and we will seek out a metaphorical Faraday cage to hide in. The key is to know when our lives are about to be over run and when we need to seek out the calm inner peace that we need.
For me that is usually turning off some tech or ignoring the phone. I love my connectivity and will watch some Amazon Instant Prime, while playing Candy Crush on the iPad, reading articles off of twitter..... sorry, I had to answer a text and complete some work on my Surface. Imagine a teacher who is not a connected educator? They have to grade a stack of papers, record grades, call parents, communicate positives and negatives, and plan for professional growth.
It is not a surprise that I am exhausted just typing this information. You can see how easy it is for someone who is as connected as I am to get caught up in the flow of data that I am always consuming, manipulating and regurgitating. I am flustered just thinking about it, this is why reflection is good.
After I woke up and started to put these thoughts on paper the realization that I sometimes feel trapped in tech became a reality. Other who are not connected like I am don't understand the predicament I face. Some would say just turn it all off. Sorry, not an option if I would like to stay employed. So what do I do to calm down? I take things apart.
Not violently like in Office Space but one nut and wire at a time. Old tech from around the house that has no value as a working device. Stuff from friends and even from the neighbors trash. Yep, sounds like I need help but the truth is it can be very calming to listen to a TV show and take something apart not having to worry about putting it back together. When I am done I sort it all and sell it to the metal recyclers or put it in the recycling bin. Sure it can be dirty but it is my way of helping the environment and getting the last laugh on the crap trying to put me in a cage.