My memory recall directed me to bulletin boards and how they have obviously changed in importance. I mean, you still can bump into them in various places; but, not at all like it was designed to do many years ago. Road signs are still popular, although many have been transformed into electronic displays. Now, we see more monitor units attached everywhere, offering updates on the weather and news. In my last few years of full time teaching, quite a few monitors were proudly displayed in the hallways. It was not too long ago that teachers would roll-out a huge TV monitor mounted to a large cart, and positioned in the hallway to view videos and promoting messages.
I was always drawn to bulletin boards - you know, the “cork-style” bulletin boards which would reveal upcoming events and advertisements. Some bulletin boards were too messy to find information. In my travels to various places, I would notice well designed bulletin boards and some messages would capture my interest. In the “old” days, you kept yourself “in-the-know” if you encouraged yourself to visit many bulletin boards, especially those located in high traffic areas. These postings, some very artistic indeed, would offer opportunities in so many areas of life: attend a concert; purchase a used piece of equipment; rent a space; hair replacement; win a trip to some destination; etc.
What’s interesting about bulletin boards is that it became a place for people to gather! Often times, I would meet some very interesting people and some interesting conversations would develop and unfold. It was an opportunity to network, to have social interaction. Some of the people that gathered were of like-mind. Most people would walk by bulletin boards, ignoring them completely. I would purchase a coffee, and stand there reading, and sometimes, would even make notes to myself about an interesting fact of phrase or upcoming event.
At teachers’ college, bulletin board displays was thought of as a very important skill to develop, that in one of my classes, we were required to design bulletin boards on a rotary basis, selecting appropriate topics, preparing to use the available space artistically, sending an impactful message. It was fun, but very time-consuming. This course and the importance of bulletin boards stayed with me throughout my teaching career. I would dedicate a lot of time to the bulletin boards available at Father Bressani CHS. One such cork display board appeared just outside the main classroom where I instructed for 15 years. I also had a few display boards located in the classroom also. It was more than a place to simply post messages about upcoming events, or posting information about assignment due dates.
Today we have our phones and various apps that send us reminders and post interesting videos on Instagram. I think the old style bulletin boards did have a certain charm to them. Today, conversations are being replaced. Our behaviors are ever-changing, influenced by the changing technology. I think and believe that Covid 19 pandemic has changed all of us, dramatically.
It did take time to design a useful bulletin board, and then, even more time to maintain it; and then, even more time to change it; update it. Today, with the technology, one can put together something very powerful, with images and video, and sound. Still, it does take time to prepare something unique and creative. Of course, privacy and protection of rights, respect and more - all issues we are now dealing with on a global scale. “The word is mightier than the sword” is certainly playing a huge changing role on a global scale. Cyberattacks is the new way to force changes to government; changes to authority, changes to employment, and very dangerous to everyone; your identity can and will be compromised. We are now more nervous and less trustworthy than ever before. The exchange of information, mis-information, is taking place at lightening speed. It’s changing how we interact with each other.
“The medium is in the message” or, is it the “the message is in the medium”? Marshall McLuhan
Is it the communicating message in the medium that we should pay attention to? Or the other way?
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