Prompt #1

Prompt #1: Discuss the role technology has played in each of the following periods of your life: as an elementary student, in middle/school/high school, and in your adult life.

In elementary school we had computer lab class once a week. In this class I learned how to type and use different Microsoft Word programs. When I first started typing I did not like it because they would put a box over our hands so we would not look down at the keys. I would rarely use my computer to complete my homework in elementary school. There were a lot of math and reading programs and games that I played on the computer during elementary school. An example of this was Math Blaster, I used this program to practice my addition and subtraction skills and had fun while doing it!

Middle school is when I really started using technology. In 7th and 8th grade I was enrolled with a technology class with the media teacher. I loved this class because we learned to use a videocameras, microphones, teleprompters, green screens, and different audio visual equipment to put on the morning announcements. It was a lot of fun learning how to use this equipment because we were allowed to use it for projects that we were doing in other classes. I used a computer for most of my homework and papers. I knew how to use powerpoint but we did not really have a lot of projects where we needed to use computers to present. During this time I learned how to use Microsoft Excel. Sometimes I would go to work with my mom and she would have me put numbers in to Excel and do different types of spread sheets for her.

In highschool I used the computer a lot for homework, presentations, and to look up information. I also used the computer for networking which is something I never did before.

As an adult I use the computer to research things, to keep track of my banking, and for all of my classes. Last year a girl spilled water on my computer and I was without it for a month. This month was extremely hard because for me to access a computer I would have to go to the library. I watch tv on my computer and check my mail constantly and this incident really made me realize how dependent I am on technology.

When I am a teacher I am going to use technology in my classroom because I think that it helps get students engaged. When I was in elementary school computers were not as popular as they are today and teachers were still using them in their classrooms for different activities and projects. I think that the internet is a very useful tool to have which is why I am going to incorporate it into my lesson plans.