User-Controlled Technology in the Humanities

Abstract

Humanists have resisted and sometimes actively opposed the use of instructional technology for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to, the following: 1) self-preservation, fear of being replaced by a “machine”; 2) myths associated with technology; and 3) lack of technical skills. Upon closely examining these frequently used reasons, it becomes apparent that the common link among them is the instructor's fear of somehow relinquishing control over the teaching/learning environment It would appear that, in order to be acceptable to most humanists, any new instructional technology must be user-controlled. Cases are presented in which user-controlled technology is being used successfully in literature, drama, art, music and languages.