One Small Step for Man?

As I reflect upon the history of instructional technology and all that I have learned in my research for our MAITS presentation, I realize just how incredibly our world has changed in such a short time -- from the launching of Sputnik in 1957 and the start of the "Space Race" to our landing of men on the moon and Neil Armstrong's historic words, "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Perhaps more unbelievable yet unnoticed is how much more technology has advanced since that time. Indeed, it is hard to imagine that the computers that drove the powerful rockets of our early space program had the power of a hand-held calculator today. The so-called smart phones that are quickly becoming ubiquitous have certainly brought the world to our finger tips. Last week, Austin Whitney took historic steps of his own at his graduation from Berkeley -- not because of any learning disability, mind you, but because Austin was paralyzed in a car accident in 2007. By drinking and driving, Austin played a significant role in his own accident; however, Austin also recognized the pain he caused to those who loved him and resolved to make something good out of this tragedy. Such happened last week as Austin walked the stage to receive his diploma using an "exoskeleton" to support him while he walked. The distant walk of Neil Armstrong on the moon in 1969 and the recent walk of Austin Whitney before his friends and family last week reveals the wonders that technology offers and serve as reminders of the phrase, "Where there's a will, there's a way."