My Journey with Technology

When I was a child, technology was almost like science fiction to me. I was raised in a mostly tech free world. I attended grade school,high school, and college with out ever using a computer or seeing a dvd recording. I come from an era of television with only 4 or 5 stations and only one television in the house. I can remember when color television was introduced and the excitement that it caused.

When I went through my training to become a teacher, technology was rarely mentioned. It was mostly referred to as the AV department, which was always kept under lock and key. As I began my teaching, I taught for many years with using the only tech available- films in cannisters that needed to be threaded just right into the projector, and film strips with record players.

As technology evolved, it was mostly up to the individual teacher to introduce it into their classroom. My first computer was a Commodore 64 that I bought at a toy store and brought it to my clasroom for free time. Our school eventually purchased Apple computers with the floppy disks. Carmen San Diego and Oregon trail were used daily.Eventually the school was given PC's but until a few years ago, it was mostly make due with what was donated or bought by the individual teachers.

Today, I teach entirely different than I was taught to teach. I can't imagine life without technology. I try to stress with my students how lucky they are to grow up in the age of technology that is so available. I guess because I was raised with so little technology that the wonder of todays technology still amazes me. I think our students are amazed also. Computers always seem to get their attention. The possibilities for the learning enviroment are endless.

When I think of how my journey in technology began-dial phone,transistor radio, record player,cameras (the odor of burning lights for a flashpicture) black and white television- and where my journey is now-internet, laptops with wireless connection, digital cameras and videos,cell phones,etc.- I realize how far technology has come. The technology journey in education is slower than many have thought but the potential for great things is there. Who could imagine attending college on a computer? My own lifetime journey in technology has brought wonderful changes. Just think what wonderful changes will occur in our students future. I hope they will enjoy and appreciate their journey in technology.