digital me

Tonight I attended a student showcase for the digital civilization class my husband teaches in the honors department at BYU.  I was inspired and moved and so glad that I blog.  Even though this class was about studying historical parallels from the Renaissance to the present, through a digital lens, I found myself, over and over again, glad for my own experiences with blogging.  Sometimes education can be defined loosely, and in these past almost-three years I have earned a real degree in life, in friendship, in self-discovery, in empathy. 

The students presented digital projects in small groups, talking about everything from medical support groups, to online missionary work, to the power of blogging in the realm of learning and research.  I enjoy all areas of digital networking, from blogging here, to facebook to twitter.



**And as a side note, I just have to interject that I was utterly and completely attracted to my husband tonight, both as I watched him up front leading a passionate discussion about using media in the classroom, and later, as I had students approach me and call themselves "Burtonites".  Now, I don't share this for any other reason but to testify of how great it is so see him in his element, having an effect on minds, and getting these students completely charged up about ways they can contribute to communal learning.

Another thing I discovered this week, as I was indirectly involved in Geo's prep for this big evening, was www.justin.tv. Incredibly, you can broadcast live video straight to the web, using your smart phone.  I already have the app on my iPhone, and I am ready to give a broadcast a try soon.  My channel has been set up as www.justin.tv/kazzy11.  When I will be putting something up I will give notice here and see if I can get some live audience.  Things are archived, like at youtube, but with the possibility to see things live it opens a lot of cool doors for faraway family and friends.  A one-way facetime that will allow people to be part of what is going on here.  I am psyched about it.

It is a wonderful thing to be hooked in to a university and the buzz that goes on.  I left the event this evening glad to be alive in such exciting times, where I can make connections and express my self freely.  Thanks in advance for being part of my experience here.

16 comments

Melanie Jacobson | December 10, 2010 at 12:29 AM

That sounds like a super awesome class. And I can testify that your hub is an awesome teacher. I loved his film and lit class.

LisAway | December 10, 2010 at 1:02 AM

How awesome! That sound so cool. It really is amazing the things we can do these days.

And I also love watching and listening to my husband talk about awesome things in front of an audience (and then have people come up after and tell me how awesome he is, like I don't already know. Still love hearing it! :)

lesa | December 10, 2010 at 8:06 AM

Sounds very interesting. It is a great digital world we live in now.

Lara Neves | December 10, 2010 at 8:49 AM

What an interesting class! Living in the digital age is almost miraculous, when you think about how far we've come in just a few years.

And I love watching my husband in his element. He gave a lecture concert last week, and I have never seen him lecture much and it was fun to have some little old ladies all come to tell me that they are in love with my husband and it was amazing to watch him in his element.

justintv is the only way we can watch our BYU football games out here! We would die without it, even though we don't always find a quality feed, the games are always there. :)

Kazzy | December 10, 2010 at 9:03 AM

Cool, Lara.

Brianne | December 10, 2010 at 11:35 AM

My husband teaches about the digital world too, and I have to say I love how hip it makes me feel.

Valerie | December 10, 2010 at 11:43 AM

Awesome! The live video thing sounds really interesting! We have so many technological "things" available to us right now. it's amazing to see all the advances that are continually being made.

Joanie | December 10, 2010 at 3:19 PM

You are always on the cutting edge of technology Karen. Have fun.

Connie | December 10, 2010 at 5:09 PM

You have always amazed me with your techno savvy expertise.

Kimberly Vanderhorst | December 10, 2010 at 5:31 PM

I'm especially struck by what you wrote about seeing Geo in his element. I experienced that too when I worked in the clinic with Neil last month. It was awesome and made me love him a hundred times more, if that's even possible.

Great thoughts here. I, for one, am so selfishly glad that you blog. The world is a sweeter, wiser place with your thoughts pricking the hearts of readers like me.

charrette | December 11, 2010 at 12:01 AM

I'm amazed at the way the two of you embrace technology. Wish I could have been there for that class! I love watching my husband in his element too -- especially when he's on the set, directing.

Heather of the EO | December 11, 2010 at 12:19 PM

WHOA. That justintv thing is amazing. I'm still all awed by technology. And smart phones.

Anonymous | December 11, 2010 at 5:10 PM

I admit that I'm not wild about twitter but that's mostly because I have no idea what to do with it. And I'm pretty boring. =P

Your husband's class sounds awesome! So glad you and his students had a great time!

Welcome to the Garden of Egan | December 12, 2010 at 5:14 PM

That would be a fun class.
It would be especially fun for you to watch your hubs in his element.

Anonymous | December 13, 2010 at 10:18 AM

Thanks for coming! It was awesome to meet you there.

Heidi | December 15, 2010 at 1:38 PM

There's nothing like seeing your spouse through the eyes of another. On the digital side of things, there are those who would say that it is a cold way to connect. However, in many cases, it is the only/best way to connect. When my mother was young, she and her friends spent time in one another's home and validated all the things the woman of the house did by commenting on her home, her garden, her cooking, her children, her dishes, her decor. All the things that a woman put time into were noticed and recognized by her peer group. Nowadays, it's very difficult to get two people in the same place at the same time and three is nearly impossible. Through digital means, we can all be at the same place at the same time regardless of where we are or even when we read what's been offered. Through this, we are able to validate one another for how we spend our time and what is important to us. At its worst, it's a conversation interrupted--and at its best, it's a miracle.