My first experience with technology occurred via the Nintendo Entertainment System in the early 1980’s and extended to most of the popular gaming consuls which have been developed since. Of course that information is not relevant to an educational technology course; however, I also had a learning computer which could be played directly through the television. It had spelling and math games, but like most early educational programs they were not very fun. At least it was in the shape of a cartoon frog.
NES
When I started going to elementary school I was able to experience the wondrous world of the Apple IIe, dot matrix printers, and floppy discs. I do not accurately remember what we did with the computers but I know we used them in an educational manner. I will never be able to get the image of the blinking green cursor out of my mind, and I fondly remember tearing the sides off of the printed pages because it was a competition to see who could make the longest continuous piece. I changed schools after the second grade because my family moved. At my new school I didn’t experience computers again until the sixth grade. The computers were better than the old Apples, or at least newer, but they were far from the top of the line for that time period and they were PCs with MS-DOS. I remember that for enrichment we were allowed to play the Oregon Trail and Where in the World is Carmen San Diego games, of course it motivated most of the students to do well in the class. This was also my first experience with CD-ROMs.
Apple IIe
Computers were not a large part of my middle school experience other than using them for recreational purposes at friends’ houses. As I got to high school computers became a much more integral part of certain classrooms. I learned how to officially type on a computer and use word processing software such as Office 95 in a business class in ninth grade.
I had technology/shop classes throughout high school in which we actually taught the instructor (who was an older man) how to run the brand new CAD and CAM programs set up the computers etc. In computer class I learned how to create presentations and effectively search the internet. Our school at that time was purchasing new computers every two years or sooner it seemed. All of the classes used PCs except the computer classes because the computer teacher preferred Macs. The last version I can remember using was the G4 and since then I have for better or worse only been exposed to PCs. I also took some computer courses in high school such as ASCII and C++ of which I remember very little, if anything. I also used certain software in science classes that simulated experiments etc. My family didn’t get our first computer until about 1998 and by then it was used mostly for the internet and the DVD-ROM.
Mac G4
In college I learned how to use Excel at a rudimentary level. I have experience using a video camera for both personal and professional matters. I have used a projector before although I merely turned it on and off. I have experience with PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, and Internet Explorer. I also have some knowledge on how to set up home audio/video systems. I previously blogged for wnst.net as a sports writer and know how to use social networking sites such as facebook, blackboard etc.
I think technology is important especially in today’s rapidly advancing society. Technology can facilitate and often improve classroom learning. I am not a wizard of technology like many younger folks today but I can figure things out and am not afraid to do so.
2 Comments
I can relate with your experiences with technology. Macs were certainly prevalent in my elementary school and I fondly remember playing typing games and Oregon Trail. It seems like both of us used technology for recreation as children. I think it is interesting that you had to teach your teacher how to use certain programs on the computer. I often would instruct my parents or a novice teacher on how to use different programs on a computer. Often, younger generations have a better grasp of technology because they have been exposed to it. I also identify with your feelings of security in your ability to use technology. Even though some people may know more about technology than me, I am always ready to learn something new.
To me instructional technology is some type of electronic device(s) that allows an instructor to design lessons that appeal to a variety of learning styles using audio, video, and other types of multimedia. Instructional technology allows instructors to design lesson plans that are more efficient and in most cases more effective. Instuctional technology can also be used as an assessment tool in things such as adaptive testing.