The Tragedy Of No Internet

So I walked into the severe/profound special education classroom in which I work at a nearby high school this morning. Before I could put my bag up, one of my students was bringing me her iPad to fix because it had no Internet. After about 30 seconds of messing with hers and then turning mine on, I could see that the Internet must be down.

Tragedy at it’s very worst this morning, I tell you! Teachers couldn’t take roll or teach the lessons they had prepared, videos couldn’t be seen on Smartboards, and students couldn’t complete Study Island homework or even listen to their music. I couldn’t even read a novel while waiting because it was checked out through our public library’s digital program.

Don’t get me wrong; I think technology is a very vital part of our society and our education system, but it was pretty sad when we cannot go through one class period without it because we are so dependent and plan everything we need to do around it. Good old fashioned marker board and books never fail.

Well, we made it through that rough 30 minutes and the students are back working (or playing, but pretending like they’re working).  And all is well in our classroom again.

All sarcasm aside, tell me: Was there ever a time when technology really did mess up something important to you?