Patey points out that, like the computer, many important technological innovations have had their day-until something else came along. Automated metal typesetters were considered the printing panacea of their day, until photographic printing came along in the 1940s. A.D. Today is the computer's day. And in the broad arena of education, its impact is undeniably altering the processing, memorizing and conceptualizing of an ever-growing palette of information. Computer technology is useful in such creative arenas as music and dance composition.
Several innovations seem just around the corner.
Distance learning, the modern catchphrase that describes attending classes without ever having to leave your house, via computer monitors or interactive television, is getting a close assessment from a Five College committee that aims to install facilities for this in the area. There's a student initiative on campus to obtain a Web-accessible computer for every Smith undergraduate. By Morris' senior year the computer of choice may fit in one's palm or be mounted on a wristband and be mostly voice-operated. And, of course, the speed and efficiency of software will continue to develop while the size of hardware continues to shrink. Morris, a biology major, says that in her field activities like gene sequencing and modeling of organic molecules have been performed on computers for years.