Observations
Posted on August 27, 2003 by Ching under School.
There have been so many changes since I last attended Wichita State University.. Technology in schools have advanced so much in the last four or five years. When I registered for my classes this semester, I was amazed that I could do everything online — even get advising. Back in the day you had touch-and-roll phone registration or you registered for classes in person. When it was time to pay, everyone paid in person so you can imagine the nightmare. These days many people opt to pay by mail so there are fewer people who pay in person. The lines are still pretty bad but only because they’ve shortened the payment period. Overall things are more efficient than they were in the past.
The improvements don’t end there either. I love that more classes are now using Blackboard. The technology has been around for many, many years but none of the classes I’ve taken in late 90s really took full advantage of it. The computers have been replaced with newer ones and even the classrooms received upgrades. Enter SMARTBoard, the technology that will render primitive chalkboards and whiteboards obsolete. It’s great to see progress. It’s great to see the university make an effort to keep up.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to changes that I’ve noticed. It’s a familiar place but there is so much for me to explore and catch up on. It’s like seeing an old friend at your high school reunion whom you haven’t seen since graduation. I’m getting to know WSU all over again.
So I’m back to school with my old stuff. Armed with new text books and supplies but still the same old me. Me and my trusty leather backpack which Sarah jokingly refers to as “old school.” And it is. It’s showing signs of age very much like its owner. Bought at Wilson’s for $125 at the beginning of my very first semester at WSU in 1996, it’s been through a lot. And it endures, much like I have.
Related Stories
« Divina’s Wedding « this post » Back-to-School Thoughts »
