My interview with a professor at CSU, Chico couldn't have gone better. we felt as if we'd known each other for years. This is not surprising; the professor was also my father. In considering education and technology, Dr. Charles Urbanowicz (aka "Dad") is exemplary in leveraging technology in his instruction and research.

When Dr. Urbanowicz began his position at CSU, Chico in 1973, classroom prep was done at typewriters (those are like computers with paper and no monitors). Back in "the day," professors lectured (that's when the person paces and propounds) and students went to do research in the library by walking (that's where the two extensions at the bottom of your torso move in a scissors-like motion in order to perambulate from point to point).

Since those days of typing ribbon and tired feet, Dr. Urbanowicz has watched education become more available to people using technology. In the 1980s he was involved in the campus' Instructional Television for students (ITFS) program which broadcast television courses across Northern California. This microwave-relay system was outpaced in the 1990s by satellite systems which brought courses to businesses and other universities internationally. Now, the Internet is the obvious leading technology in education—regionally, nationally, and globally. Describing the Internet as "a great leveler," Dr. Urbanowicz points out that the Internet has made education increasingly accessible to individuals and businesses that might otherwise have limited geographic access to a college or university.

Because the Internet significantly reduces barriers such as geography and scheduling, many more qualified instructors are available in the higher-education marketplace. In order to be effective in the global marketplace, instructors must adapt to using educational technologies. Dr. Urbanowicz says, "You can't go into any situation where you know it all. You must soak up as much information as possible, like a sponge. And see how you can incorporate that into your work." A more curt analysis by technology teacher/author Clifford Stoll is: "Any teacher that can be replaced by a machine should be!"

Today's online educational programs can systematically provide sophisticated instruction with reporting, feedback, and analysis. High-quality programs offered by businesses and educational facilities conserve resources while improving the quality of instruction. Even remote, online instruction can include streaming video and interactive, real-time interaction and dialogue.

Business owners can take advantage of online instruction to improve their employees' skills. Typically, this can be accomplished without significantly disrupting regular work operations or paying significant fees. Employees can train themselves on the latest technologies, identify gaps in understanding, and follow self-paced tutorials.

If expanding the educational boundaries is a benefit, what are the potential pitfalls of Internet education and using related technologies? One possible negative aspect is the isolation of cyberspace. "Education needs socialization," states Dr. Urbanowicz. "It shouldn't all be electronic. there still needs to be face-to-face interaction." Another potential detriment is the relative ease with with which research can be performed. Fewer library shelves and notepad scribbles; more searches on Google and copy/paste.

Historical trends in education indicate the Internet will complement classroom instruction, not replace it. Obviously, not all topics can—or should be—completely covered online. So for instructors like my father, online education is not an adversary to classroom education but an asset. Like many others, he is actively using the internet and other online educational resources to most effectively instruct students. As my interview concluded with Dr. Urbanowicz (with both a business handshake and paternal hug), he offered his parting perspective of using both print and online mediums in education: "You know, I might subscribe to the print version of the New York times. With it, you get access to an online database with 25 years' worth of Times articles. It's amazing the wealth of information that's out there!"

Tom Urbanowicz is the owner of DataDesignIT, helping businesses operate efficiently and communicate effectively using technology. You can review his website at www.datadesignit.com. He can be reached at tom@datadesignit.com or at 530.513.1691.