I've been around a computer since I was little. I mean little, about three. Which puts us in 1983. My uncle had one of the Apples that you could play Baseball on. Ech-Ech-Ech in two second timing as the ball flew (in very slow motion) across the screen. We loved it! Then my parents got a swimming idea, they got my brother and I one for Christmas. I remember sitting and typing the programs in for hours just to get a face to smile on the screen. Nothing fancy, just a smiley face to pull it's line smile more upward. I loved it too.
In school we didn't have a computer in the room until fifth grade, then it was not used for much more than to create banners to welcome people back. In middle school we had a computer lab, and it could have been used to the utmost, but our teacher didn't know how to do his job honestly, so we sat and played games during our computer period. We didn't even do our portfolios on these computers yet. Really, looking back on it, in middle school we had a room full of computers and did no real learning on them. I think my "computer" teacher (who was also the art teacher) was learning the computers himself while we were.
In high school, when I was in my junior year, we got the Internet. Only one computer in the school had it and we had to share and be chaperoned while we were one the net. Fortunately my father got our first household computer at this time, with the net. My brother and I fell in love. My brother devoured the new technology leading him to his road of complete tech savviness. Unfortunately, as much as I loved the new toy it was doing nothing for my love of technology. Instead I was learning to love old tech. Turntables and VHS. This continued through college, this backward spiral of technology for me.
Then my parents got me a laptop. I loved this computer. All of my work for school was done on it and my newest roomie was a computer junkie. I learned quite a bit from her and I appreciate it. She is a valued resource for me. (She is now a computer teacher for Shelby County.) She taught me some basics of the computer but mostly she showed me not to be scared of what you are doing on the computer. We all make mistakes, well, not the computer, those mistakes belong to you as the controller of the computer.
So when I started Grad school I went out and bought a computer to keep at my residence in Louisville. I loved hooking it up and learning the in's and out's of the computer. This one has Vista which is taking some time to get used to but for the most part I feel very comfortable with this computer and it's uses. I think I am the most comfortable on this home computer out of the people who live here. It's really rather funny to me. My comfort comes from being around several people who are comfortable with the computer. I always have someone to go to who knows more than me and can help me with my computer situations. This makes me feel able to explore and discover the capabilities of the computer in the classroom. I think having the skill to bring the technology into the classroom will improve the interest in my lessons tremendously! I'm excited!
In school we didn't have a computer in the room until fifth grade, then it was not used for much more than to create banners to welcome people back. In middle school we had a computer lab, and it could have been used to the utmost, but our teacher didn't know how to do his job honestly, so we sat and played games during our computer period. We didn't even do our portfolios on these computers yet. Really, looking back on it, in middle school we had a room full of computers and did no real learning on them. I think my "computer" teacher (who was also the art teacher) was learning the computers himself while we were.
In high school, when I was in my junior year, we got the Internet. Only one computer in the school had it and we had to share and be chaperoned while we were one the net. Fortunately my father got our first household computer at this time, with the net. My brother and I fell in love. My brother devoured the new technology leading him to his road of complete tech savviness. Unfortunately, as much as I loved the new toy it was doing nothing for my love of technology. Instead I was learning to love old tech. Turntables and VHS. This continued through college, this backward spiral of technology for me.
Then my parents got me a laptop. I loved this computer. All of my work for school was done on it and my newest roomie was a computer junkie. I learned quite a bit from her and I appreciate it. She is a valued resource for me. (She is now a computer teacher for Shelby County.) She taught me some basics of the computer but mostly she showed me not to be scared of what you are doing on the computer. We all make mistakes, well, not the computer, those mistakes belong to you as the controller of the computer.
So when I started Grad school I went out and bought a computer to keep at my residence in Louisville. I loved hooking it up and learning the in's and out's of the computer. This one has Vista which is taking some time to get used to but for the most part I feel very comfortable with this computer and it's uses. I think I am the most comfortable on this home computer out of the people who live here. It's really rather funny to me. My comfort comes from being around several people who are comfortable with the computer. I always have someone to go to who knows more than me and can help me with my computer situations. This makes me feel able to explore and discover the capabilities of the computer in the classroom. I think having the skill to bring the technology into the classroom will improve the interest in my lessons tremendously! I'm excited!
I had every right to be excited as well! We did some wonderful projects in here. More so what I have learned here was the reinforcement not to be afraid or intimidated by computers. I thought I would need so much help from people making a movie in Movie Maker. I didn't. I didn it all myself and loved every minute of it. Not to mention I LOVE the final product. From the film itself to the music to the entire basic plot. It was fun and creative and I know students of every age would love to do this.
At this time, of all the projects I loved, I wanted to love podcasting the most. I didn't. It's not that I won't try it again on my own. I just picked up the rest of the material and easily ran with it. With podcasting I tripped, tripping can be discouraging. In the end we accomplished the project but it was frustrating and rather tedious. I'll give 'er another round.
I have enjoyed blogging more than I ever thought possible! It's a communication with everyone. One I believe I will keep up. I feel as though I really got to show more of my personality through the collective projects than in any other classes projects. I appreciate the r
einforcement of my abilities and can't wait to continue my "techsavviness"!
einforcement of my abilities and can't wait to continue my "techsavviness"!
1 comment:
Danielle, you have such voice in your writing! I feel like you are just talking right to me when I read your post. Your background with technology will serve you well in this class and in your career in the classroom.
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