Communication: Or a Lack There Of!

I have been thinking about this for a while so here I go. I never really thought of myself as a great communicator but I have to say that I am pretty good at this item. I always return phone calls from parents and students at work. I always reply to emails that I received in a timely manner even it is just a quick one to say that I am working on it. I try to always be available to listen to and meet with my constituents (parents and students) even if it is the not the most appropriate time (like after I have been at rehearsal for 3 hours in 100 degree temperatures with 80% humidity). Also, I do this blog not only for me but so that others can keep up with what is going on in the band world. The problem is that I am starting to see more and more of a problem with communication on the other end of things. I often send out an email with something pretty important only to not receive an answer or even a response. I often get the old "I didn't know" when things are due from students and sometimes even parents. We, as a band, use our website to communicate things as well as mass emails and a phone tree but still we get the "I didn't know what time". Communication has to be something that works both ways. All the communication in the world is not a bit of good if both parties are not involved. This leads me to something else. Do we have too many ways to communicate in today's world of technology? Maybe!

Text messaging has become the method of choice as communication goes with the teenagers of today. I don't mind it for small things like when I am sitting in boring meetings or at a concert or...wait I am not suppose to really say that! Anyway, kids love to text each other. I asked some why. They said it is so much faster than even an email. I can see that except in my case as it takes me about 15 minutes to text a one liner but again this a personal problem. Kids text in a different language too. They abbreviate everything. I can't even read some of it. I think that this ease of communication may have an opposite effect in that many people don't even really read what they are receiving or view any other form of communication as unimportant. I prefer emailing myself. I can answer them on my time and can give complete and thoughtful answers too but still nothing beats a good old fashioned still down meeting.

Perhaps the saddest part of all this technology and ease of communication is the lost art of writing. Even things like this blog are becoming less and less viewed. They just take to long to write and read for some people. As a teacher, I use to find notes on the floor or being passed between students a good bit. Not so anymore. I for one still enjoy a nice note or card. Maybe my mom passed that to me. She loves to write notes and send cards. Try it if you haven't in while. You just may be surprised how much it means to the recipient.