Katydid
Habitat: tropical to temperate enviornments
Endangered? Yes
What they eat: Leaves of willow, rosewood and citrus trees, they are herbivors.
What eats them: birds and bats
What do they look like? angular winged, 2- 2 1/2 inches in length, light green, long and slender
Fun facts: They live for one year. Have long wings to look like leaves to hide themselves.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Summer Plans
May 3, 2010
Dear Friend,
I will be going to North Carolina in June this summer. We are renting a house and I am very excited. I will also be a nanny for the summer. I plan to go on trips with the two children I am watching. I will also be taking a summer class during the month of July. Hope you have a great summer!
From,
Katie
Dear Friend,
I will be going to North Carolina in June this summer. We are renting a house and I am very excited. I will also be a nanny for the summer. I plan to go on trips with the two children I am watching. I will also be taking a summer class during the month of July. Hope you have a great summer!
From,
Katie
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Friendly letter: Directions
Below find your group that was assigned to you. Each partner will comment to the post by writing a friendly letter to your friend. Remember to include all 5 parts of the friendly letter. Also, the body should consist of at least 5 sentences.
Homework: Please write a friendly letter back to your partner as a comment to their friendly letter post.
Homework: Please write a friendly letter back to your partner as a comment to their friendly letter post.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Positive and Negative Experience
Our group has two stories about technology, one positive and one negative. The positive story from one group member is when she was in elementary school using technology. Her teacher would let the class play an English game on the computer if they finished activities. The game required an individual to do an activity in each room of a haunted mansion. In order to move onto the next room, the player had to pass the game in the room. Each game taught a different type of grammar. Once you had passed the games in all rooms you had all the clues to solve the puzzle. This was great because it allowed the students to do a fun activity with their free time which not only taught them grammar but also encouraged them to get their work done early. This was a great use for technology in the classroom.
The negative story was also in elementary school. Our group member remembers having computers in her classroom, but no computer lab. The computers were a reward for finishing their work early. Unfortunately, she hardly ever finished early; therefore, she never got to use the computer. It made her hate computers because she thought it wasn't fair. Once the first three students went to the computers, she couldn't even focus on her own work. It wasn't until she got her own computer in her house, that she fell in love with technology. There were so many better ways that this teacher teacher could have handled the use of the computer, but she was probably afraid of them herself!
The negative story was also in elementary school. Our group member remembers having computers in her classroom, but no computer lab. The computers were a reward for finishing their work early. Unfortunately, she hardly ever finished early; therefore, she never got to use the computer. It made her hate computers because she thought it wasn't fair. Once the first three students went to the computers, she couldn't even focus on her own work. It wasn't until she got her own computer in her house, that she fell in love with technology. There were so many better ways that this teacher teacher could have handled the use of the computer, but she was probably afraid of them herself!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Positive and Negative Experiences with Technology
Our group discussed several positive and negative experiences we have had with technology.
Kaycie contributed this positive experience:
My positive experience with technology just occurred last semester in my Children's Literature class. We had to do a group assignment where we had to research an author/illustrator and create a power point that include some elements like scan pictures from a book, read several pages of the book and in include them in your power point. One of the computer tech ladies (I think her name was Debbie. She is the nice lady in the ed tech center) was very supportive of our assignment and taught us how to do many ways to "spice" up our power point. I learned so much from her and realized how much more I could do with power point. By the end of the assignment, I was so happy with my final project! I learned how to record my voice and create a button to click on to hear me reading several pages from a book. I also learned how to put youtube videos in my power point. I didn't have to include a video, but I learned so much about power point that I wanted to really have fun with it!
Lauren contributed this negative experience:
A negative experience that I have had with technology is often with trying to find certain information on certain websites. There is always the option to "google" information online but I have found that many times more than one site will offer different (and sometimes) incorrect information. It's difficult to find credited websites.
Jennifer Beach
Kaycie Coleman
Lauren DeGuglielmis
Ellon Scherer
Kaycie contributed this positive experience:
My positive experience with technology just occurred last semester in my Children's Literature class. We had to do a group assignment where we had to research an author/illustrator and create a power point that include some elements like scan pictures from a book, read several pages of the book and in include them in your power point. One of the computer tech ladies (I think her name was Debbie. She is the nice lady in the ed tech center) was very supportive of our assignment and taught us how to do many ways to "spice" up our power point. I learned so much from her and realized how much more I could do with power point. By the end of the assignment, I was so happy with my final project! I learned how to record my voice and create a button to click on to hear me reading several pages from a book. I also learned how to put youtube videos in my power point. I didn't have to include a video, but I learned so much about power point that I wanted to really have fun with it!
Lauren contributed this negative experience:
A negative experience that I have had with technology is often with trying to find certain information on certain websites. There is always the option to "google" information online but I have found that many times more than one site will offer different (and sometimes) incorrect information. It's difficult to find credited websites.
Jennifer Beach
Kaycie Coleman
Lauren DeGuglielmis
Ellon Scherer
Positive and Negative Experiences Using Technology
My group has experience technology in positive and negative ways. Many of our experiences were similar, and unique in other ways. For an example, our group members shared the same positive experience using technology while growing up.One positive experience that we remember is playing educational computer games while growing up. One of our group member parents always use to buy her different computer games, and since she loved playing on the computer, it made it that much more appealing and exciting. She loved being able to play games on the computer, and at the same time she was learning. She think educational computer games are a great tool to have for children. Another group member recall her first learning experience using a computer. She remembers her first V Tech computer system. Her V Tech computer taught her about math. Another one of our group member had a unique positive experience with using technology. She attended a computer camp during a summer. Attending this camp showed her exciting and interesting things that she could do on the computer, and did help her in preparing herself for using the essentials, such as Word and PowerPoint, in high school.
It was also interesting that our group shared the same negative experience with using technology. We all had a negative experience with an online class. Before taking online classes, we believed the classes would be easier because we didn't have to attend class. However, online classes were harder because of the constant email checking, lack of face to face communication, and time limits on test.We all agreed that we would rather sit in a classroom and learn than taking an online class. Technology can be beneficial and a set back sometimes.
Shantiya Gilchrist
Patricia Luberto
Danielle Coolahan
Kaitlyn Dalton
It was also interesting that our group shared the same negative experience with using technology. We all had a negative experience with an online class. Before taking online classes, we believed the classes would be easier because we didn't have to attend class. However, online classes were harder because of the constant email checking, lack of face to face communication, and time limits on test.We all agreed that we would rather sit in a classroom and learn than taking an online class. Technology can be beneficial and a set back sometimes.
Shantiya Gilchrist
Patricia Luberto
Danielle Coolahan
Kaitlyn Dalton
Positive and Negative Tech Experiences
After discussing positive and negative experiences with technology, our whole group came to a consensus on the stories that we want to share with the rest of the class. A positive experience that we all had mentioned individually, was how much the internet is beneficial for doing projects, especially a group project. We all mentioned how the internet provides great resources for lookingup information for projects instead of going to the library. Another positive experience with technology we all agreed with is using email to communicate for a group project. Using email and/or blackboard to discuss ideas was very essential for this assignment. We have only worked on this assignment with each other through the use of blackboard and email. Also, being all education majors, the Internet is a great resource for getting ideas for lessons as well as getting worksheets to use.
A negative experience that we want to share is that sometimes certain files will not work on all computers. One group member shared their story of a time when she had problems opening up a PowerPoint for a presentation. It was last semester when she was in her math education class. she and another classmate created a PowerPoint about how to teach fractions in an elementary school classroom. They created it using PowerPoint 2007, but when they went to open the PowerPoint in the classroom, it wouldn't open. The computer in the classroom had PowerPoint 2003 and could not open a PowerPoint 2007 document. Luckily, they were able to go to the computer room in the building which had PowerPoint 2007 and convert it to PowerPoint 2003.
Allison Barry
Amanda Harvey
Ashley WhalenJessica Thomas
Positive and Negtive effects on technology in education
Alex contributed this positive experience:
I have always found ways to use technology to help my educational experience...or at least tired to. Sometimes this would turn into a "waste" of time and would have to settle for a traditional way on paper or some other way. Although I do not consider this wasting in the big picture because over the years because of this I have become very fluent in getting around with computers and how they work. Shortcuts, new features, and old ones I can incorporate into everyday things such as web browsing or writing a paper. I am finding ways for technology to assist my learning in and out of the classroom. I can use my iPod touch, computer, or cellphone for a calculator, to graph, search the internet, and communicate. I can use landscaping applications to help run my landscaping business more effiencently or touch up on my math skills with games or learn the streets of Towson by looking at maps.
Ashley contributed this positive experience also:
I am earning my Masters now in instructional technology with a focus in School Library Media, and so far my experiences with technologies has grown mostly postitive. A lot of programs I was unfamiliar with about a year ago, I have been taught. The professors have really gone out of their way to ensure we learned these programs and understood. this. This is exspecially true of dreamweaver, wiki, and in my case lended some experiences with permaboards and clickers.
Hilary contributed this negative experience:
Technology and learning experiences have never really been that great for me; either I've been in really boring computer classes, or I can't understand what I'm supposed to be doing. I like computers when they do what I want them to do, but all to often I find myself struggling to figure out how to use a program. It's very frustrating to know that there is a right way to do something, in fact probably an easy way to do it, but you can't figure out what that might be. Also, in my internships in elementary school classrooms, I've had some trouble with non functioning technology. While it taught me to always have a backup lessons plan, in case things don't work they way you want them too, it was stressful and embarrassing at the time. As a teacher, it's not fun to look incompetent in front of students.
Michelle contributed this negative experience also:
However, sometime technology can be very frustrating. Like when my computer crashes when I'm in the middle of writing a paper. Or when my cell phone runs out of batteries.
I have always found ways to use technology to help my educational experience...or at least tired to. Sometimes this would turn into a "waste" of time and would have to settle for a traditional way on paper or some other way. Although I do not consider this wasting in the big picture because over the years because of this I have become very fluent in getting around with computers and how they work. Shortcuts, new features, and old ones I can incorporate into everyday things such as web browsing or writing a paper. I am finding ways for technology to assist my learning in and out of the classroom. I can use my iPod touch, computer, or cellphone for a calculator, to graph, search the internet, and communicate. I can use landscaping applications to help run my landscaping business more effiencently or touch up on my math skills with games or learn the streets of Towson by looking at maps.
Ashley contributed this positive experience also:
I am earning my Masters now in instructional technology with a focus in School Library Media, and so far my experiences with technologies has grown mostly postitive. A lot of programs I was unfamiliar with about a year ago, I have been taught. The professors have really gone out of their way to ensure we learned these programs and understood. this. This is exspecially true of dreamweaver, wiki, and in my case lended some experiences with permaboards and clickers.
Hilary contributed this negative experience:
Technology and learning experiences have never really been that great for me; either I've been in really boring computer classes, or I can't understand what I'm supposed to be doing. I like computers when they do what I want them to do, but all to often I find myself struggling to figure out how to use a program. It's very frustrating to know that there is a right way to do something, in fact probably an easy way to do it, but you can't figure out what that might be. Also, in my internships in elementary school classrooms, I've had some trouble with non functioning technology. While it taught me to always have a backup lessons plan, in case things don't work they way you want them too, it was stressful and embarrassing at the time. As a teacher, it's not fun to look incompetent in front of students.
Michelle contributed this negative experience also:
However, sometime technology can be very frustrating. Like when my computer crashes when I'm in the middle of writing a paper. Or when my cell phone runs out of batteries.
Positive and Negative Tech Experiences
To end on a positive note, we will begin with a negative experience:
One member of our group submitted that the two most frustrating classes she ever took were both computer/technology classes. Her professor fell prey to expert blindness and failed to realize the classes were going too quickly and that the students were having trouble keeping up with the learning curve. Technology classes can be more challenging than other subjects for students, especially digital immigrants; not only are the concepts new, but the tools and venues are as well.
The positive experience is of a class on integrating technology into mathematics instruction. One specific technology the class focused on was Sketchpad, an amazing visual tool that helps to teach math. The class was so helpful that, in the course of the semester, some questions about mathematical formulas were made clear. Not only did the technology help our colleague learn how to teach math better, but it also increased her personal knowledge of the subject.
Tilghman Gordon
Andrew Haff
Laurie Kendall
Krista Spath
One member of our group submitted that the two most frustrating classes she ever took were both computer/technology classes. Her professor fell prey to expert blindness and failed to realize the classes were going too quickly and that the students were having trouble keeping up with the learning curve. Technology classes can be more challenging than other subjects for students, especially digital immigrants; not only are the concepts new, but the tools and venues are as well.
The positive experience is of a class on integrating technology into mathematics instruction. One specific technology the class focused on was Sketchpad, an amazing visual tool that helps to teach math. The class was so helpful that, in the course of the semester, some questions about mathematical formulas were made clear. Not only did the technology help our colleague learn how to teach math better, but it also increased her personal knowledge of the subject.
Tilghman Gordon
Andrew Haff
Laurie Kendall
Krista Spath
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Summary of positive and negaitve experiences with technology
Our group has two stories about technology, one positive and one negative. The positive story from one group member is when she was in elementary school using technology. Her teacher would let the class play an English game on the computer if they finished activities. The game required an individual to do an activity in each room of a haunted mansion. In order to move onto the next room, the player had to pass the game in the room. Each game taught a different type of grammar. Once you had passed the games in all rooms you had all the clues to solve the puzzle. This was great because it allowed the students to do a fun activity with their free time which not only taught them grammar but also encouraged them to get their work done early. This was a great use for technology in the classroom.
The negative story was also in elementary school. Our group member remembers having computers in her classroom, but no computer lab. The computers were a reward for finishing their work early. Unfortunately, she hardly ever finished early; therefore, she never got to use the computer. It made her hate computers because she thought it wasn't fair. Once the first three students went to the computers, she couldn't even focus on her own work. It wasn't until she got her own computer in her house, that she fell in love with technology. There were so many better ways that this teacher could have handled the use of the computer, but she was probably afraid of them herself!
Katie Hohl
Yesenia Cuellar
Michelle Richardson
Brooke Bradley
Monday, February 1, 2010
Yesenia's Technobiography
When I was born, I was pretty much with no much technology. I was lucky to have a television and radio at home. I was exposed to more advanced technology when I arrived to the United States. I used my first computer when I started middle school, here in the United States. as I grew up older, I started to become involved in techonoly by playing video games, having a computer at home, and having my own CD Player. When I started high school, cell phones were a big thing going on in school, so I wanted my own, but my parents were not convinced that I needed one. So, I had to work on my own if I wanted one. I had my first cell phone on my second year of high school. After I graduated from high school and got my first job... I wanted more things and then I bought my own things that I wanted. Now, that I can afford to more things, I try to buy what I like, even though there might be things that I do not know much, I try my best to figure out things to be update with today's technology. I hope to learn many tricks from this class, I am not really good at computers, but I am always open to learn new things. I have realized that there many things that you can do with today's techonology.
Technobiography
I am not really a tech person at all. It's not that I don't like technology; I love how easy it has made many things, and how fun. It's more that I don't have the time or patience to learn how to use all the technology around me. And some of it I just never saw the appeal of, like video games, although my boyfriend is trying to change my mind about that. When I was young, technology wasn't readily available to me. We eventually got a computer, when I was six or so, but mostly for my Dad to do work on. We had very limited access to it, and when we were on, it was only for educational purposes. Although I must say that doing school on the computer was much more exciting than doing it on paper. The very first computer game that I can remember playing and loving was Organ Trail. Other than that, there was little technology offered to me in my home during my elementary school years. As I got into high school, things began to shift, as it was expected for all assignments to be typed, and all students to be able to use a computer comfortably. Now, I enjoy a reasonable amount of success when working with technology, but I still get frustrated when I can't get something to work, and I still don't understand half of what people say when they start talking about technology. Hopefully, as I continue to be submerged more and more into this culture of technology, I will be picking up more and more. I do want to learn more about it, because anything that can make my life easier is well worth the effort.
Kaycie Coleman Technobiography
In today's society technology is advancing at a very fast pace. It is everywhere and no matter what, you have to learn how to use basic technology. I can remember when my mom brought home our very first computer, it took place of our typewriter. I was in Elementary School at the time, and I remember playing Oregon Trial and Math Blaster on it for hours. When I was in Middle School, I spent many hours on AOL chat talking to my friends. It was the "cool" thing to do then. When I was in High School, I got my first cell phone. I thought it was the coolest thing. I had a Nextel, so I could walkie-talkie my friends who also had a Nextel. I didn't receive my own computer until my first semester at Anne Arundel Community College. It wasn't the nicest computer, but I could type of papers on it and not have to fight with my sisters to use the other computer. When I think about technology in my life now, I'm astonished at the amount of technology that I own. I have a cell phone, laptop, ipod, gps, and a Wii. For others, this might not seem like a lot, but it is for me. I would have to say that I'm more comfortable with technology today, than the past. I think that there is more technology available, therefore people have more access and ability to learn how to use technology.
Ashley Serio Technobiography
I have been drawn to technology since about birth. My grandparents use to say that even as a very small child, I was always drawn to the television. Television and the telephone were probably the closest technologies I had as a child until I was about 8 when we finally got a Nintendo gaming system. My brothers and I were always drawn to video games and through the years we amassed a large collection of systems and games including: our original Nintendo system, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Nintendo Game Cube, the Nintendo Wii, Playstation 1, 2, & 3, and the X-Box 360. My husband and I still have all these gaming systems, with the exception of the Playstation 1, which broke, but I still have all my games because they can be used on the Playstation 2 system.
My family did not purchase a home computer until I was a freshman at Towson University in August 1999. We did own a Brother Word Processer. I used this to type up assignments in middle school and high school. I also helped my Grandfather with the home bills and budgets with the spreadsheet application that was a perk of the Word Processer. Prior to college, my only real use of the computer was in school. Elementary and Middle School consisted mostly of games that supposedly held some educational value, such as the Oregon Trail. High School progressed the computer into something more than a gaming system but into a tool used to enhance life and schooling. There the two classes I took focused on keyboarding and occasionally Windows Excel (however, to this day I still only have a vague knowledge of this program and of all Windows programs this one scares me the most).
My undergraduate time spent at Towson University did little to foster my knowledge of the computer. I was a History major and that does not always mesh well with technology. I did become internet savvy, which prior to college I did not have the opportunity to get to know. I received a Towson University email account and soon I opened an AOL email account. I would add a Comcast and Yahoo email account to this by the end of my 5 years. Thanks to friends and other trends I would also have a livejournal account, a MySpace, and a Facebook by the end of my bachelorette program. My technology general education requirement that I had taken was ISTC 201: Using Information Effectively in Education. I took this class in the spring of 2002, but the only thing I learned new in this class was how to use Microsoft PowerPoint.
I was only really equipped to use a PC until I began working at the B&O Railroad Museum in the fall of 2005 after I graduated from Towson University. My office computer was a Mac so I was literally forced into learning how to use it. It wasn’t all that different from a PC once I got the hang of things. It also helped me that my brother, who was living with us at the time, had a Mac Book. He really helped me figure things out. I can proudly say that I am now both PC and Mac literate.
When I came back to school for my Graduate degree in the fall of 2009 at Towson University I decided to go into library studies, which was something I always wanted to do. Towson University has this track under Instructional Technology so I had to take more technology courses than I had taken in the past. Last semester I took ISTC 541: Foundations in Instructional Technology. I learned many new things in this class, such as how to use a wiki, Glogster, Microsoft Moviemaker, blackboard, and we expanded on PowerPoint. We did touch on Excel and graphs, but sadly I am still a loss at this program. I learned a lot in that class, and I hope to expand on that knowledge in this class.
Communication Technology had always been my strong spot until I have become more strongly equipped for the computer. I was always a big talker on the telephone as a child and teenager. I would spend hours chatting to my friends and cousins on the telephone. I was the first in my house to figure out the voicemail feature of our phone line, which allowed me complete control of the answering machine at my home.
I had a pager all throughout high school. That was the big thing back then. I even had one of those voicemail pagers that allowed the person paging you to leave on a voice message instead of the traditional numeric page. Then I would call my number, hit the star button, and then enter my password to listen to the message.
I purchased my first cell phone in the spring of 2001. My father paid for it for me since he was worried about me commuting from Brooklyn Park to Towson every day for school. The cell phone has never frightened me; I always saw it as a hodgepodge of pager meeting the telephone. I quickly learned to use the others features from ringtones, texting, to mobile internet. I must say the mobile internet has come in handy with my Facebook obsession. Texting has literally broken me from talking on the telephone. I now just text people and a loathe talking on the phone now.
My family did not purchase a home computer until I was a freshman at Towson University in August 1999. We did own a Brother Word Processer. I used this to type up assignments in middle school and high school. I also helped my Grandfather with the home bills and budgets with the spreadsheet application that was a perk of the Word Processer. Prior to college, my only real use of the computer was in school. Elementary and Middle School consisted mostly of games that supposedly held some educational value, such as the Oregon Trail. High School progressed the computer into something more than a gaming system but into a tool used to enhance life and schooling. There the two classes I took focused on keyboarding and occasionally Windows Excel (however, to this day I still only have a vague knowledge of this program and of all Windows programs this one scares me the most).
My undergraduate time spent at Towson University did little to foster my knowledge of the computer. I was a History major and that does not always mesh well with technology. I did become internet savvy, which prior to college I did not have the opportunity to get to know. I received a Towson University email account and soon I opened an AOL email account. I would add a Comcast and Yahoo email account to this by the end of my 5 years. Thanks to friends and other trends I would also have a livejournal account, a MySpace, and a Facebook by the end of my bachelorette program. My technology general education requirement that I had taken was ISTC 201: Using Information Effectively in Education. I took this class in the spring of 2002, but the only thing I learned new in this class was how to use Microsoft PowerPoint.
I was only really equipped to use a PC until I began working at the B&O Railroad Museum in the fall of 2005 after I graduated from Towson University. My office computer was a Mac so I was literally forced into learning how to use it. It wasn’t all that different from a PC once I got the hang of things. It also helped me that my brother, who was living with us at the time, had a Mac Book. He really helped me figure things out. I can proudly say that I am now both PC and Mac literate.
When I came back to school for my Graduate degree in the fall of 2009 at Towson University I decided to go into library studies, which was something I always wanted to do. Towson University has this track under Instructional Technology so I had to take more technology courses than I had taken in the past. Last semester I took ISTC 541: Foundations in Instructional Technology. I learned many new things in this class, such as how to use a wiki, Glogster, Microsoft Moviemaker, blackboard, and we expanded on PowerPoint. We did touch on Excel and graphs, but sadly I am still a loss at this program. I learned a lot in that class, and I hope to expand on that knowledge in this class.
Communication Technology had always been my strong spot until I have become more strongly equipped for the computer. I was always a big talker on the telephone as a child and teenager. I would spend hours chatting to my friends and cousins on the telephone. I was the first in my house to figure out the voicemail feature of our phone line, which allowed me complete control of the answering machine at my home.
I had a pager all throughout high school. That was the big thing back then. I even had one of those voicemail pagers that allowed the person paging you to leave on a voice message instead of the traditional numeric page. Then I would call my number, hit the star button, and then enter my password to listen to the message.
I purchased my first cell phone in the spring of 2001. My father paid for it for me since he was worried about me commuting from Brooklyn Park to Towson every day for school. The cell phone has never frightened me; I always saw it as a hodgepodge of pager meeting the telephone. I quickly learned to use the others features from ringtones, texting, to mobile internet. I must say the mobile internet has come in handy with my Facebook obsession. Texting has literally broken me from talking on the telephone. I now just text people and a loathe talking on the phone now.
Shantiya Gilchrist: Techno biography
Shantiya Gilchrist: Techno biography
Since birth, I have observed the transition of technology in our society. I have watched technology transform from the most simplistic to the most complex. Technology started out as a recreation activity, however is a basic necessity in society today. Technology has impacted my life in many ways from birth through today.
I don't remember technology being used for a lot of things when I was born. One of my first memories was singing along with my mother to her favorite artist from an album. These albums were huge and round. They were played on a record player. VHS were highly used during this time period also. I learned about the different modes of the VCR by watching my first videos, such as learning what the play and pause button was used for. It was awkward because the record player set on top of the radio, and they were used separately. While riding in cars, I realized that we didn't use Cd's but tape cassettes. These cassettes were miniature tape recordings. Cassette tapes lasted for years. I had a premature understanding of technology when I was younger.
I really became exposed to technology in school. My first usage of a computer took place in my elementary computer lab. These computers were large white systems. During this time, I had no idea about the Internet. I just remember playing games on the computer, which were programmed on a disc. In elementary school, I remember viewing films on film projectors. Because film projectors were so complicated, this use of technology wasn't used in the classroom. Technology was a bit separated from school. Taking a step away from technology in the classroom, I remember some technology use at home. I remember my household having at least four telephones that were plugged in the wall. Telephone conversations had to take place in one area. People could not travel around the house to have phone conversations, because the cord only stretched so far. People also used pay phones during the nineteen nineties. During the early nineties, pagers were widely used. This was a better communication device to get in contact with people faster. A few years later, my household updated our telephones with cordless phones. Cordless phones were a huge upgrade, because people were able to multitask and have phone conversations at the same time.
During middle school, technology began to become more and more advance. Cassette tapes begin to fade out. They were replaced with Cd's. Cd's were a more complex way of listening to music. VCR and VHS were fading out as well. They were replace with DVDs. I liked DVDs because they were smaller and more manageable. Systems include a VCR and DVD player. CD players were widely used in middle school. Students listened to their music on walk man's.
As I entered high school, technology was evolving rapidly. I had to take and pass a technology class in high school. Computers were used in wide spread. People threw encyclopedias and dictionaries to the side to surf the web to find information. Lap top use was being used at home along with desktop computers. The birth of MP3 players took place during this time. IPOD'S were the most commonly used player. I can never forget the technology that changed my life forever, my very first cell phone. Cell phones were the most fastest way to communicate with people. The cell phone is the technology device that I have had the most of.
Today technology is a part of our every day life. People rarely communicate through mail. They can send emails straight from their cell phones, a computer is no longer needed to send emails. Music can be listened to on our cell phones as well. Our cell phones has become a mini office for us. Digital cameras are also a big thing. Not only do they take pictures but also record videos. A lot of people leisure time is spent surfing the net and communicating on social networks such as facebook. Most houses I enter today have flat screen televisions, DVD players, and blue ray disc players. I am sure that technology will become more unimaginable complex in the future.
Since birth, I have observed the transition of technology in our society. I have watched technology transform from the most simplistic to the most complex. Technology started out as a recreation activity, however is a basic necessity in society today. Technology has impacted my life in many ways from birth through today.
I don't remember technology being used for a lot of things when I was born. One of my first memories was singing along with my mother to her favorite artist from an album. These albums were huge and round. They were played on a record player. VHS were highly used during this time period also. I learned about the different modes of the VCR by watching my first videos, such as learning what the play and pause button was used for. It was awkward because the record player set on top of the radio, and they were used separately. While riding in cars, I realized that we didn't use Cd's but tape cassettes. These cassettes were miniature tape recordings. Cassette tapes lasted for years. I had a premature understanding of technology when I was younger.
I really became exposed to technology in school. My first usage of a computer took place in my elementary computer lab. These computers were large white systems. During this time, I had no idea about the Internet. I just remember playing games on the computer, which were programmed on a disc. In elementary school, I remember viewing films on film projectors. Because film projectors were so complicated, this use of technology wasn't used in the classroom. Technology was a bit separated from school. Taking a step away from technology in the classroom, I remember some technology use at home. I remember my household having at least four telephones that were plugged in the wall. Telephone conversations had to take place in one area. People could not travel around the house to have phone conversations, because the cord only stretched so far. People also used pay phones during the nineteen nineties. During the early nineties, pagers were widely used. This was a better communication device to get in contact with people faster. A few years later, my household updated our telephones with cordless phones. Cordless phones were a huge upgrade, because people were able to multitask and have phone conversations at the same time.
During middle school, technology began to become more and more advance. Cassette tapes begin to fade out. They were replaced with Cd's. Cd's were a more complex way of listening to music. VCR and VHS were fading out as well. They were replace with DVDs. I liked DVDs because they were smaller and more manageable. Systems include a VCR and DVD player. CD players were widely used in middle school. Students listened to their music on walk man's.
As I entered high school, technology was evolving rapidly. I had to take and pass a technology class in high school. Computers were used in wide spread. People threw encyclopedias and dictionaries to the side to surf the web to find information. Lap top use was being used at home along with desktop computers. The birth of MP3 players took place during this time. IPOD'S were the most commonly used player. I can never forget the technology that changed my life forever, my very first cell phone. Cell phones were the most fastest way to communicate with people. The cell phone is the technology device that I have had the most of.
Today technology is a part of our every day life. People rarely communicate through mail. They can send emails straight from their cell phones, a computer is no longer needed to send emails. Music can be listened to on our cell phones as well. Our cell phones has become a mini office for us. Digital cameras are also a big thing. Not only do they take pictures but also record videos. A lot of people leisure time is spent surfing the net and communicating on social networks such as facebook. Most houses I enter today have flat screen televisions, DVD players, and blue ray disc players. I am sure that technology will become more unimaginable complex in the future.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Jennifer Beach: Technobiography
Different technologies have played significant roles throughout my life. We are surrounded by technology and must become familiar with it in order to be part of today’s society.
Even prior to my birth, technology affected me because my mother required a 24 hour continuous infusion with a terbutaline pump to prevent premature contractions. These medical advances allowed her carry me longer so I was not as premature as my sister and therefore did not have as many complications when born.
When I was five or six, playing on the computer became an incentive for good behavior. Throughout elementary school, my parents provided my siblings and I with fun, educational games like
Even my use of the television has changed dramatically throughout my life. When I was younger, my family owned three televisions. Now we each have our own TV in addition to three other televisions set around the house. Growing up my parents used a video camera to record special family events. We own every Disney movie on VHS, but yet no longer even have a working VHS player. Now we do not even own a working VHS player. So we moved onto the DVD era, but now my brother has insisted I begin purchasing Blu-Ray instead.
I got my first cell phone when I was sixteen. Two years later I was excited to get a camera phone with additional features and today I now own a blackberry which allows me to access the internet and my email at anytime.
When I was younger, my parents made sure that I learned how to read a map to help them with directions when we went on road trips. Today, while I still have those map skills, I use a GPS to navigate to unfamiliar places.
Growing up, I was excited to play with my uncle’s Nintendo 64 and I was thrilled when my family purchased our own PlayStation. Then we bought a PS2. Today, I have a Wii and a PS3 of my own.
Even our cameras have changed. When I was in elementary school, I begged my father to use his Polaroid camera to take pictures of our family and pets. Then we had the family film camera. But today, everyone has their own digital camera.
Even in the technology at the schools where I have interned has progressed, especially since I was a student. Today, my classrooms have ELMOs instead of overheads. Each class has a television and Promethean Boards have been introduced into the classrooms. All of these have been incorporated into daily lessons in order to increase the learning of the students in classrooms today.
It would be impossible to ignore the changes in technology during my lifetime. The part that amazes me the most is how accessible it is to everyone. The iPhones, laptops, digital cameras, etc. have become so common that everyone seems to have their own and it seems more of an oddity if you do not own these devices.
Andrew Haff Technobiography
Growing up, we were not allowed to have console games. So my first experience with technology, besides occasional team-games at friends’ houses, was with my dad’s work laptop. It was there the rules against video games became weakened.
I cut my teeth on Wolfenstein 3D and Dark Forces. Yes, I indeed liked this technology thing. It was years before my mom allowed us to have a “family” computer and I have been making up for lost time ever since. I was on AOL, unfortunately it was one of the few games in town, before instant messaging, and was astounded when they brought it out. As a matter of fact, e-mail was rather new when I started and that was exciting too.
Most of my friends did not have e-mail addresses then, and so I had little reason to learn how to type. It was not until late High School that I took a class and finally weaned myself off of hunting-and-pecking; something I now look on with disdain. A few years later I taught myself the dvorak keyboard and have never considered going back.
All of my love for technology comes through games and making computers better for them. I first started my tech tweaking with cleaning up junk files, exciting, and installing the newest anti-adware software of the day: “Spybot Search and Destroy”! From there I have learned how to do a lot of useful things and a number of not-so-useful ones. This culminated with my “building” my own computer in college.
All of the events so far happened before I regularly used a cell phone. After many years of occasionally carrying one in case of emergencies, I moved off campus. Now that I did not have a phone in my room, I was forced to use the dreaded machine that had so often annoyed me before. From there it was a downhill slope leading to my concession, due to the pressure from friends, to text more often than I call. Without a doubt, I will eventually be checking e-mail from my phone and running virus scans to prevent my call list from being sent to millions of telemarketer agencies. Oh the future…
On a side note, since nearly everything in our lives can be considered technology, I built a trebuchet (the cutting-edge of medieval siege weapons in the 13th century) the other day, and now terrorize the neighborhood with flying Hershey’s Kisses.
I cut my teeth on Wolfenstein 3D and Dark Forces. Yes, I indeed liked this technology thing. It was years before my mom allowed us to have a “family” computer and I have been making up for lost time ever since. I was on AOL, unfortunately it was one of the few games in town, before instant messaging, and was astounded when they brought it out. As a matter of fact, e-mail was rather new when I started and that was exciting too.
Most of my friends did not have e-mail addresses then, and so I had little reason to learn how to type. It was not until late High School that I took a class and finally weaned myself off of hunting-and-pecking; something I now look on with disdain. A few years later I taught myself the dvorak keyboard and have never considered going back.
All of my love for technology comes through games and making computers better for them. I first started my tech tweaking with cleaning up junk files, exciting, and installing the newest anti-adware software of the day: “Spybot Search and Destroy”! From there I have learned how to do a lot of useful things and a number of not-so-useful ones. This culminated with my “building” my own computer in college.
All of the events so far happened before I regularly used a cell phone. After many years of occasionally carrying one in case of emergencies, I moved off campus. Now that I did not have a phone in my room, I was forced to use the dreaded machine that had so often annoyed me before. From there it was a downhill slope leading to my concession, due to the pressure from friends, to text more often than I call. Without a doubt, I will eventually be checking e-mail from my phone and running virus scans to prevent my call list from being sent to millions of telemarketer agencies. Oh the future…
On a side note, since nearly everything in our lives can be considered technology, I built a trebuchet (the cutting-edge of medieval siege weapons in the 13th century) the other day, and now terrorize the neighborhood with flying Hershey’s Kisses.
Krista Spath Technobiography
My generation has been surrounded by technology since birth. Naturally, technology has evolved tremendously since the 80’s and will continue to advance. At a young age my family owned two computers which I utilized to play the educational computer games that I was allowed to play. My parents utilized the computer as a tool of organization. By the time I was in undergraduate college I was using my computer to write my entire research papers without even opening a book. When my parents were in college a research paper took more than twice the amount of time to write due to the lack of technology available.
As a little girl I would ride around my backyard in my "Fred Flintstone" toy car while my neighbor two houses down from me rode around in her electric Barbie car. I envied how quickly and easily her car got around her backyard. A few years ago I would see my young neighbor ride around in his faster electric yellow Hummer. During the first snow fall of this year my 7 year old neighbor went outside, played in the snow for fifteen minutes and was done. He returned to the warmth of his house and started playing video games. I think technology is a great thing however; there is a huge down side to it when you see a young boy rather play with his video games than play in the snow. When I was seven, I would not come inside from the snow until I had hypothermia but, when I was seven the world had not experienced Wii. Technology has created exciting toys for kids and possibly more exciting toys than the first snow fall.
In middle and high school, my teachers would take the class to the computer lab to further our learning using the internet or some computer program. I foresee every classroom in a high school being supplied with computers. When my children get to high school they will be shocked to learn that when I went to school not every student had a laptop sitting in front of them. High school was also a popular time for cell phones. Every student had a cell phone, period. If you did not have a cell phone, then you were begging your parents to buy you one. I was the person begging my mom to add me to her plan. I eventually go what I wanted and since that day my cell phone has been physically with me. If I ever forget my cell phone I am in panic mode. What if my car breaks down? What if there is traffic and I’m going to be late for work? What if someone needs to reach me with an emergency? Someone always needs to reach me when I forget my cell phone, yet when my cell phone is with me sometimes I’ll go a day without receiving one call.
My days consist of watching TV, talking on my cell phone, listening to my CD player in my car, and checking my email, while searching the internet, while checking my bank account simultaneously on my computer. I can type a blog for a technology class without having a spelling error. I also can choose any font or format I would like to write a paper in and print out as many copies as I would like. If I would like to read a book or go shopping, I can do that without leaving the computer. Most people have a smart phone which allows them to use the internet anywhere they would like. My life is surrounded by technology and always has been. I think technology makes life more efficient and therefore allows people to do more things in their life. I’m not oblivious to the negative aspects of it; nonetheless I think it’s a great thing. My students will be further engulfed in technology and as a teacher I would like to be prepared and knowledgeable on what they are using.
As a little girl I would ride around my backyard in my "Fred Flintstone" toy car while my neighbor two houses down from me rode around in her electric Barbie car. I envied how quickly and easily her car got around her backyard. A few years ago I would see my young neighbor ride around in his faster electric yellow Hummer. During the first snow fall of this year my 7 year old neighbor went outside, played in the snow for fifteen minutes and was done. He returned to the warmth of his house and started playing video games. I think technology is a great thing however; there is a huge down side to it when you see a young boy rather play with his video games than play in the snow. When I was seven, I would not come inside from the snow until I had hypothermia but, when I was seven the world had not experienced Wii. Technology has created exciting toys for kids and possibly more exciting toys than the first snow fall.
In middle and high school, my teachers would take the class to the computer lab to further our learning using the internet or some computer program. I foresee every classroom in a high school being supplied with computers. When my children get to high school they will be shocked to learn that when I went to school not every student had a laptop sitting in front of them. High school was also a popular time for cell phones. Every student had a cell phone, period. If you did not have a cell phone, then you were begging your parents to buy you one. I was the person begging my mom to add me to her plan. I eventually go what I wanted and since that day my cell phone has been physically with me. If I ever forget my cell phone I am in panic mode. What if my car breaks down? What if there is traffic and I’m going to be late for work? What if someone needs to reach me with an emergency? Someone always needs to reach me when I forget my cell phone, yet when my cell phone is with me sometimes I’ll go a day without receiving one call.
My days consist of watching TV, talking on my cell phone, listening to my CD player in my car, and checking my email, while searching the internet, while checking my bank account simultaneously on my computer. I can type a blog for a technology class without having a spelling error. I also can choose any font or format I would like to write a paper in and print out as many copies as I would like. If I would like to read a book or go shopping, I can do that without leaving the computer. Most people have a smart phone which allows them to use the internet anywhere they would like. My life is surrounded by technology and always has been. I think technology makes life more efficient and therefore allows people to do more things in their life. I’m not oblivious to the negative aspects of it; nonetheless I think it’s a great thing. My students will be further engulfed in technology and as a teacher I would like to be prepared and knowledgeable on what they are using.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Technobiography- by. Michelle Richardson
By. Michelle Richardson
I decided to do something the other night that I have not done in years, pop in a VHS tape. I had a sudden urge to watch the Lion King, don't judge me, and I learned that there are many deep messages intertwined into the tale. As my tape began I realized a harsh reality. I would either have to fast forward through the previews, or walk away until my movie began. That is when I became aware of how spoiled I am simply by a DVD.
I have always loved technology. My father loved technology, so I had the latest toys, video games, and electronics growing up. I still remember what my favorite toy was at age four. It was my red, yellow, white, and orange tape recorder, and I recorded everything that everyone said in my house. I recorded myself, my parents, and my grandmother reading my favorite stories to me. I had every game that Sega had out, learning toys, and a very large VHS collection, but that tape recorder was my favorite form of technology in those days.
As I entered elementary school, I learned of the world of the computer. Although my father loved entertainment technology, he was never a fan of computers. It began as playing simple computer games, and eventually turned into typing. I loved typing and still do. Penmanship was never a close friend of mine. I remember begging my aunt and father to get a computer, and even my grandmother thought it would be a good idea. Finally, one fateful afternoon, life as I knew it changed forever. I walked in to see my aunt shaking hands with a sales representative from Gateway. We finally had a computer, with full dial-up Internet access, we were practically living in the future. It was a new day, sure we had to do things between web pages loading, but it was better than going to the library, or typing on the typewriter. Besides, that five pages it took between the pages loading provided for opportunities to do things like read, have a snack, or do other homework.
High school marked the era of the cell phone. It took three years but I finally talked my family into purchasing cellphones for emergencies. They were huge and hideous compared to phones now, and my family never quite understood that you didn't have to scream into the phone. As soon as I got a cell phone "two ways" became popular, and "nextel chirping." Everything was quick and fast, and our family, who was once on the technological "up and up," couldn't keep up.
Now in 2010, I never get off my computer. We have a desktop computer in our home and I have a laptop. I have an Ipod, (my favorite device) a cell that I mostly text on, a DVD player, digital cable, a camcorder, a CD burner, a digital camera, and a slew of programs on my computer.
I love technology and all of the comforts that come with it. Now I must learn to stay on the "up and up," so that I am not outsmarted by the students in my classroom. If anything, proper knowledge of technology will help you to prevent a little mutiny when you third graders throw fits about their history exams.
I decided to do something the other night that I have not done in years, pop in a VHS tape. I had a sudden urge to watch the Lion King, don't judge me, and I learned that there are many deep messages intertwined into the tale. As my tape began I realized a harsh reality. I would either have to fast forward through the previews, or walk away until my movie began. That is when I became aware of how spoiled I am simply by a DVD.
I have always loved technology. My father loved technology, so I had the latest toys, video games, and electronics growing up. I still remember what my favorite toy was at age four. It was my red, yellow, white, and orange tape recorder, and I recorded everything that everyone said in my house. I recorded myself, my parents, and my grandmother reading my favorite stories to me. I had every game that Sega had out, learning toys, and a very large VHS collection, but that tape recorder was my favorite form of technology in those days.
As I entered elementary school, I learned of the world of the computer. Although my father loved entertainment technology, he was never a fan of computers. It began as playing simple computer games, and eventually turned into typing. I loved typing and still do. Penmanship was never a close friend of mine. I remember begging my aunt and father to get a computer, and even my grandmother thought it would be a good idea. Finally, one fateful afternoon, life as I knew it changed forever. I walked in to see my aunt shaking hands with a sales representative from Gateway. We finally had a computer, with full dial-up Internet access, we were practically living in the future. It was a new day, sure we had to do things between web pages loading, but it was better than going to the library, or typing on the typewriter. Besides, that five pages it took between the pages loading provided for opportunities to do things like read, have a snack, or do other homework.
High school marked the era of the cell phone. It took three years but I finally talked my family into purchasing cellphones for emergencies. They were huge and hideous compared to phones now, and my family never quite understood that you didn't have to scream into the phone. As soon as I got a cell phone "two ways" became popular, and "nextel chirping." Everything was quick and fast, and our family, who was once on the technological "up and up," couldn't keep up.
Now in 2010, I never get off my computer. We have a desktop computer in our home and I have a laptop. I have an Ipod, (my favorite device) a cell that I mostly text on, a DVD player, digital cable, a camcorder, a CD burner, a digital camera, and a slew of programs on my computer.
I love technology and all of the comforts that come with it. Now I must learn to stay on the "up and up," so that I am not outsmarted by the students in my classroom. If anything, proper knowledge of technology will help you to prevent a little mutiny when you third graders throw fits about their history exams.
Alex Maddock's Tech Bio
My voyage with technology begun when I was young when video cameras were huge, TV was "blurry" compared to today's HD, and video games could only be played locally. I, like many of my peers, played classic games such as Sims, Doom, and Oregon Trail and they had to be downloaded off numerous floppy disks. My family, at the turn of the century, made a time capsule to be opened on New Year's 2010, and we put something on a floppy disk, luckily we still have a desktop that reads floppy disks however the data still could not be retrieved off of it. I was crazy about other electronics such as Gameboy's, Tamagotchis, and more. I would sneak these into school and take them with me where ever I go. Fast forward 15 years and my fascination with technology hasn't changed much but a lot else has. I still have a gaming console in my pocket, however its in color now and can surf the internet, email, check the weather, watch movies, and download games instantly on the go while listening to music. I no longer carry cash and rely solely on a piece of plastic and even bank online. "Papers" for class are written on a computer screen, travel in my backpack not in a folder, but on a thumb stick, and used in class on another computer screen. My computer itself is no longer attached to the wall and travels with me. Single remotes replace the drawer full of remotes previously needed to simply watch a movie. And I need not revolve around the TV schedule because I can simply DVR a program or pull it up On-Demand. Technology is ever changing - I believe by the time I buy something, whether it be a computer or other, it is already out-of-date only to be replaced down the road by the next latest, and greatest and I have learned this the hard way by saving, and spending, my allowance on a gizmo that was only a fad when I was young. But I am always looking for ways to not "make my life easier," but to make my routines simpler, more efficient, and smarter. It would be interesting to continue this biography in a decade to see how far it has progressed.
Tricia Luberto Technobiography
For as long as I can remember, I have always been exposed to technology throughout my life. And when I think back now, it is interesting to notice how technology has evolved so much over the course of my life. When I was younger, I always watched TV, movies on VHS tapes, listened to music on my boom box and on cassette tapes etc. While technology was definitely accessible in the 90's, it was nothing like how it is now.
I remember when I was younger, no one had cell phones; everyone only used house lines. When my dad finally got a cell phone, it was just as big as a house phone. (the "Zach Morris" cell phone). It's crazy to think how back then no one had cell phones, and today I could hardly picture my life without my cell phone. I have my cell phone on me at all times, and if I ever forget it, I feel so disconnected from the world.
Also, I remember when I was younger, we had only 1 desktop computer in our whole house for everyone to share. My sisters and I had to take turns going on the computer to play games and go on AOL. Today, every person in my family has their own laptop computer, plus the few desktop computers we still have in our house. In addition, we all have our own digital cameras and ipods.Technology has definitely changed alot from the time I was born until now, and it is interesting to reflect back and notice how much it has really changed our world today.
I remember when I was younger, no one had cell phones; everyone only used house lines. When my dad finally got a cell phone, it was just as big as a house phone. (the "Zach Morris" cell phone). It's crazy to think how back then no one had cell phones, and today I could hardly picture my life without my cell phone. I have my cell phone on me at all times, and if I ever forget it, I feel so disconnected from the world.
Also, I remember when I was younger, we had only 1 desktop computer in our whole house for everyone to share. My sisters and I had to take turns going on the computer to play games and go on AOL. Today, every person in my family has their own laptop computer, plus the few desktop computers we still have in our house. In addition, we all have our own digital cameras and ipods.Technology has definitely changed alot from the time I was born until now, and it is interesting to reflect back and notice how much it has really changed our world today.
Ellon Scherer Technobiography
I feel like the term ‘technology’ is so broad and all encompassing. I had experiences with technology since I was very young. I remember playing Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?, Number Munchers, and Oregon Trail on the first generation of home computers and playing on the original Nintendo and Sega (handed down from my brother). I even remember waiting an hour for the dial-up connection to work in order to play one game on Nick.com. My father worked for Northern Grumman at the time and would tell me stories of the first computers they had at the company that would take up entire rooms. Computers seemed like a marvel to me back then(as they sometimes still do).
In middle school, I got even more into computers, even getting my own desktop put in my room (complete with a CD burner!). I was addicted to instant messaging and spent a lot of time on the computer. Throughout middle school and high school (and even college), a computer was an essential item needed to complete many of my school assignments so I was often on a computer. In high school, I was able to get my own laptop and used both the laptop and my old desktop. In high school, I was also given a cell phone of my own, although I could not use too many minutes or text anyone. Whenever I got new technology, I always adapted to it pretty quickly, learning all the capabilities it had by searching through the features (and every so often reading the directions).
Finally, in college, I got a new laptop that had many more capabilities than my previous one (like hooking up to cable TV) and a texting plan on my phone. It seems that I am never without my phone now and almost never go more than 24 hours without using a computer. In this generation, we are surrounded by technology and I believe that this will only get more prevalent as time goes on. My elementary students already have their own cell phones, laptops, and video game systems. Technology has become an integral part of our lives and will continue to play an important role in daily life.
In middle school, I got even more into computers, even getting my own desktop put in my room (complete with a CD burner!). I was addicted to instant messaging and spent a lot of time on the computer. Throughout middle school and high school (and even college), a computer was an essential item needed to complete many of my school assignments so I was often on a computer. In high school, I was able to get my own laptop and used both the laptop and my old desktop. In high school, I was also given a cell phone of my own, although I could not use too many minutes or text anyone. Whenever I got new technology, I always adapted to it pretty quickly, learning all the capabilities it had by searching through the features (and every so often reading the directions).
Finally, in college, I got a new laptop that had many more capabilities than my previous one (like hooking up to cable TV) and a texting plan on my phone. It seems that I am never without my phone now and almost never go more than 24 hours without using a computer. In this generation, we are surrounded by technology and I believe that this will only get more prevalent as time goes on. My elementary students already have their own cell phones, laptops, and video game systems. Technology has become an integral part of our lives and will continue to play an important role in daily life.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Kaitlyn Dalton Technobiography
Technology has always been a part of my life. As I got older, and advanced in my education, I began to use education more and more. I use Technology in my everyday life, and would be completely lost without it.
My first experiences with Technology probably came from video games, which I played in elementary school. I remember having a Super Nintendo and a Game Boy, which I probably started playing with around the second grade. My family did not get a computer into my house until I was in the fifth grade. Even then, we had AOL dial-up Internet, and it would take about a half an hour just to get signed into the Internet, so most of the time I found myself not even bothering with it. It was not until high school when I first began using the computer daily. I found myself being required to hand in typed assignments, so having a computer in the house was a necessity, as well as a faster Internet.
When I became a freshman in high school, my mom thought it would be a good idea to have a cell phone, in case of emergencies. I soon became addicted to texting, and would run up the phone bill just about every month from going over my allotted amount of texts.Now a days I still text quite often, but I have an unlimited texting service, which is very beneficial.
Now that I am in college, I use technology almost every waking moment. The first thing I do in the morning is check my email and my facebook account. I have my phone on me at all times, and I text throughout the day. I just recently got an iTouch, so now I am always on the Internet through that, and listening to my music. Technology is such a big part of my life today that I am not sure what I would do without it.
My first experiences with Technology probably came from video games, which I played in elementary school. I remember having a Super Nintendo and a Game Boy, which I probably started playing with around the second grade. My family did not get a computer into my house until I was in the fifth grade. Even then, we had AOL dial-up Internet, and it would take about a half an hour just to get signed into the Internet, so most of the time I found myself not even bothering with it. It was not until high school when I first began using the computer daily. I found myself being required to hand in typed assignments, so having a computer in the house was a necessity, as well as a faster Internet.
When I became a freshman in high school, my mom thought it would be a good idea to have a cell phone, in case of emergencies. I soon became addicted to texting, and would run up the phone bill just about every month from going over my allotted amount of texts.Now a days I still text quite often, but I have an unlimited texting service, which is very beneficial.
Now that I am in college, I use technology almost every waking moment. The first thing I do in the morning is check my email and my facebook account. I have my phone on me at all times, and I text throughout the day. I just recently got an iTouch, so now I am always on the Internet through that, and listening to my music. Technology is such a big part of my life today that I am not sure what I would do without it.
Technobiography
Throughout my childhood, I do not remember technology as being a big part of my life. We always had a computer in my house, but it was mostly being used for computer games and word documents. In addition, my parents didn't think watching television all the time was a good idea. Cell phones were never a necessity when I was growing up; my mom got one first, but I remember it being big and bulky. My dad didn't get a cell phone until several years later. When my older sister and I got into high school, cell phones were becoming quite popular and my parents felt more comfortable with us sharing one because we'd be driving soon. We eventually got our own, and that's when we made sure we had them with us at all times. I think that was the point in our "generation" when most high school students felt they had to have a cell phone.
Computers were also evolving. In high school, we had the responsibility of using the internet on a regular basis, as well as typing up reports. However, the internet became much more than a source for school work. It seemed like everyone was beginning to use AOL instant messenger, MySpace, and Facebook. The growth of technology became much more about social interaction and communication; calling someone became unnecessary when text messaging and Facebook messaging became available.
Today, I use technology on a regular basis. Not only is it essential and very helpful for a college student, but it's a way of communication and recieving important information. I keep my cell phone with me most of the day, and I check my email regularly. In addition, the internet has been a wonderful source for my understanding of what's happening in the world today. I am still learning about technology and the ways it will be beneficial for the future. As an aspiring teacher, I'm trying to learn about what will work in my own classroom and how my students can be a part of technology as it emerges.
Computers were also evolving. In high school, we had the responsibility of using the internet on a regular basis, as well as typing up reports. However, the internet became much more than a source for school work. It seemed like everyone was beginning to use AOL instant messenger, MySpace, and Facebook. The growth of technology became much more about social interaction and communication; calling someone became unnecessary when text messaging and Facebook messaging became available.
Today, I use technology on a regular basis. Not only is it essential and very helpful for a college student, but it's a way of communication and recieving important information. I keep my cell phone with me most of the day, and I check my email regularly. In addition, the internet has been a wonderful source for my understanding of what's happening in the world today. I am still learning about technology and the ways it will be beneficial for the future. As an aspiring teacher, I'm trying to learn about what will work in my own classroom and how my students can be a part of technology as it emerges.
Technology
Starting from a young age, my parents always bought my brother video game counsels, that I would play. I would play games on the computer starting around the 5th grade. I also enjoyed drawing on the computer and getting on the internet starting in middle school. I do not remember when we started receiving the internet but I remember I would fight over the computer with my sister and brother. I also loved to play Sega and Duck Hunt video games and Mario Cart.
Now, technology is something I am not interested in. I do not own a Ipod or have any desire to get one. Video games are confusing to me and the only one I would play are Wii games. Technology has become more advanced and I do not have the patience or drive to learn how to work it. However, I do own a Blackberry, which helps me stay up to date on my emails for school. Although, my brother-in-law did teach me how to work it and I still haven’t figured out how to set up my voice mail. I also use my computer almost everyday. I get on and check my Facebook and chat with my friends.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Amanda Harvey: Technobiographies
Technology has always been a big part of my life, maybe not so much when I was younger but it has gradually become a necessity on a daily basis. I remember getting my very first computer. It was a Packard Bell, which at the time, was top line. I had dial-up Internet which was very slow and there were not many programs on the computer that I could use. As far as music, I used cassette tapes and c.d. players to listen to music as a child. My parents had a huge video camera that we would have to carry on every vacation. My first cell phone was used only for calls and text messages.
Now, in the 21st Century, my computer is now portable. I have a laptop that I can carry anywhere I go including school. I have wireless Internet that is so much faster then dial-up. There are so many new and exciting programs on the computer that can keep me occupied for hours of the day. I also have an iPOD touch that I use to listen to all types of music as well as watch any dvd or you tube video you can imagine. I have a 10.0 megapixel digital camera that takes amazingly clear pictures. It is the size of my cell phone. Speaking of cell phones, I can not only call or text someone, but I can also use it for the Internet, camera, and even gps.
Technology has obviously changed so much in the 22 years I have been around. I am 100% positive it will continue to change rapidly. As a teacher, I will need to keep up-to-date on the changes so I can use those new "hip" technologies in my classroom to keep the students engaged in their learning.
Now, in the 21st Century, my computer is now portable. I have a laptop that I can carry anywhere I go including school. I have wireless Internet that is so much faster then dial-up. There are so many new and exciting programs on the computer that can keep me occupied for hours of the day. I also have an iPOD touch that I use to listen to all types of music as well as watch any dvd or you tube video you can imagine. I have a 10.0 megapixel digital camera that takes amazingly clear pictures. It is the size of my cell phone. Speaking of cell phones, I can not only call or text someone, but I can also use it for the Internet, camera, and even gps.
Technology has obviously changed so much in the 22 years I have been around. I am 100% positive it will continue to change rapidly. As a teacher, I will need to keep up-to-date on the changes so I can use those new "hip" technologies in my classroom to keep the students engaged in their learning.
Brooke Bradley Technobiography
Throughout my life I recall many technological changes. The first thing that I can remember about technology was music. My parents always used casette tapes but I recall getting my first CDs and a boom box in which to play them on. The next big innovation as far as music was the portable CD player with the big head phones. Slowly it moved from that to the iPod and MP3 player. Next major thing that had a lot of changes was TV. I remember the first TV in my life required you to go up and twist a knob in order to change the channels. Being the only child I was elected to change channels and volume then, every night, so I was very happy when they came out with the remote. From there TV has evolved into the flat screen, digital recording, etc. Another major change was the computer. Our first one was a Apple Desktop. We had dial up internet and not very many programs. As a little girl, I got really excited when I found out I could play games on it such as Oregon Trail. I can remember going to work with my parents, as a really little girl, when they had computer screens that were just black and green though. The new color screen was exciting and definitely a lot easier on the eyes. Through the years the computer set up as well as the programs and internet capability have changed quite bit; up until the wireless laptop that I have now. Finally, another major change has been the phone. Our first phone that I can remember had a cord so that you had to stand in the kitchen if you wanted to talk to anyone. This phone evolved into a cordless phone which worked farther away from its base. Now we even have a cell phone for our house phone because we found it to be easier. My cell phones have changed a lot too. My first one had a green screen with black writing and it was not very fancy at all. Then again back then it was just used for calls because i had no idea how to text. From there it has evolved in to phone I have now with many applications, internet, etc.
There have definietly been a lot of changes throughout my life as far as technology is concerned. So many that I am sure I am forgetting a bunch in this paper. Technology has allowed me quicker information, that is easier to apprehend. I could not imagine going back to some of the old devices again and trying to do the things I am assigned on a regular basis. Technology will always be evolving and it is important for teachers to stay up to date because the students certainly will.
There have definietly been a lot of changes throughout my life as far as technology is concerned. So many that I am sure I am forgetting a bunch in this paper. Technology has allowed me quicker information, that is easier to apprehend. I could not imagine going back to some of the old devices again and trying to do the things I am assigned on a regular basis. Technology will always be evolving and it is important for teachers to stay up to date because the students certainly will.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Technology
I have always been a big fan of technology. Growing up I was always fascinated with the video games. In elementary school my family got our first computer, a large Apple whose screen only displayed two shades of green. I spent hours playing games like Ms. Pac Man. Shortly after my family got our own personal computer, my elementary school got a small computer lab. This "lab" consisted of 7 or 8 computers. One day a week students would be sent to the computer lab in groups to work on the computers. Here, we were given games to play that often enhanced both our spelling skills as well as our typing abilities.
In middle school I began to play more home gaming systems such as Nintendo 64. However my video gaming crazed turned down for the newest technological crazy, AOL. Although we had to sit through that long, loud dial up connection, when it came out, AOL was the coolest thing ever. For many of us, it was our first interaction with the Internet. Suddenly all these websites were available to answer any question you could think of. Even better for a middle school student, AOL brought about Instant Messaging. Now you could talk to all of your friends at once taking as short or as long as you needed to reply.
In High School my technological interests turned to a variety of things. The first type of technology in high school that “I absolutely had to have” was a cell phone. Cell phones had been out for a while but they were no longer the huge Zack Morris phones. After some careful negotiating with my parents, I was finally allowed to get a cell phone. With my cell phone came text messaging, Instant Messaging without the computer. Another new kind of technology for me came when I got my license; I became fascinated with cars. I began learning about the technology that is used in cars and how it has evolved over the years.
Now I continue to be enthralled by technology. I love getting the newest cell phones. I have both a PC computer as well as a Mac lab top. I have an HD TV so I can both watch sports as well as play my favorite Playstation 3 games in HD. I also continue to learn about the newest technologies going into cars.
Barry,A. Technobiography
As far as I remember technology was always around me growing up but was not really aware of it enough to remember all of the details. I do remember when I was very young, I always listened to the radio or cassette tapes. Also I always watched movies from a VHS. I do remember that when we went on vacation, we had to put film into a camera and then bring the film into a store to get developed when we got back from vacation. Another thing about technology that I remember from when I was youger was the video camera. The video cameras were huge and we had to place a normal size vhs into the camera to record. As far as computers go, I feel that I got a computer in my house for the first time when I was in second grade. However we got our internet through dial up which was very slow and used AOL. We connected through dial up for many years, I think until I was in highschool. However, I did have an opportunity to learn how to type when I was in first grade. Occasionally my class was allowed to go to the computer room and type up some writing assignments we had.
As I got older, I remember technology changing. listening to music slowly swtiched to cds and watching movies swtiched to dvds. I remember I got my first cell phone when I was 16 when KI started to drive. The cell phone was a basic cell phone and all I was able to do was make a call and text. Now a cellphone can take pictures, videos, record sounds, go on the internet and even have touch screen. Also, as I got older video cameras started to get smaller by recording it on a smaller tape and photos were starting to be taken by a digital camera. Computers were getting more programs and highspeed internet was becoming more popular. Televisions were getting smaller and became flat screens. Currently, technology is still constantly changing. Blu ray dvds are becoming more popular as well as ordering a movie on demand. People are now recording tv shows by using DVR instead of VCRS.
I feel that techology has changed drastically throughout the 21 years of my life, and will continue to do so in the future.
Kendall, L Technobiography
When I was in high school, ha hum (back in 1970-something) there were no home computers, cell phones, Internet, etc. I started using a computer when I started working for Raytheon, in their ship test division. I got my first computer when I started college in 1996, but I did not have access to the Internet because I lived so far out in the country. However, living so far out meant that my home was "off the grid," so we had solar panels and batteries, and an inverter that powered our house. Even our well water came from a solar powered pump, and we had a cell phone (one of those old heavy giant phones that looked like a small loaf of bread) to make emergency calls.
When I transferred to Northern Arizona University in 1997, I got my first introduction to the Internet, and began learning more about doing research from home. When I transferred to the University of Maryland for graduate school, I began learning about digital video, photography, and editing software when I was working on my Ph.D. These helped me create a DVD to go with my dissertation. However, I did not get a personal cell phone until 2005. Do I use it to text? No. If I have something important to say, I say it or leave a message. Do I have a facebook page? Yes. Am I registerd on other social networking sites? Yes. Do I use them? No. I have hundreds of "friends" I have never met and never will, and frankly I don't care what 100s of people are doing moment by moment or what they had for breakfast. This whole twitter, facebook, myspace phenomenon seems very narcissistic. Do I use email? Of course. I have 8 email addresses (4 faculty, 2 work, 1 personal, and 1 student) and I get 100s of emails everyday (99% junk, so sometimes I spend more time wading through and deleting them than I do answering the ones I need to get to because they really are important). Do I im? I tried it, but I don't anymore. I did not like being interrupted while I was working on something. Do I have a web page? Yes, for my business. So, while I am pretty well connected digitally, and sometimes the technology is really helpful, most of the time I feel like it's just more work piled on my already too busy work load.
When I transferred to Northern Arizona University in 1997, I got my first introduction to the Internet, and began learning more about doing research from home. When I transferred to the University of Maryland for graduate school, I began learning about digital video, photography, and editing software when I was working on my Ph.D. These helped me create a DVD to go with my dissertation. However, I did not get a personal cell phone until 2005. Do I use it to text? No. If I have something important to say, I say it or leave a message. Do I have a facebook page? Yes. Am I registerd on other social networking sites? Yes. Do I use them? No. I have hundreds of "friends" I have never met and never will, and frankly I don't care what 100s of people are doing moment by moment or what they had for breakfast. This whole twitter, facebook, myspace phenomenon seems very narcissistic. Do I use email? Of course. I have 8 email addresses (4 faculty, 2 work, 1 personal, and 1 student) and I get 100s of emails everyday (99% junk, so sometimes I spend more time wading through and deleting them than I do answering the ones I need to get to because they really are important). Do I im? I tried it, but I don't anymore. I did not like being interrupted while I was working on something. Do I have a web page? Yes, for my business. So, while I am pretty well connected digitally, and sometimes the technology is really helpful, most of the time I feel like it's just more work piled on my already too busy work load.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Technology
I do not remember much about technology as a child. I remember my mom had a cell phone for her car only and it was a huge flip phone. I remember playing slingo on AOL and we had dial up. Eventaully I got AIM and talked to my friends that way.
I was never really interested in the next cool thing. When everyone started getting cell phones in 8th grade or 9th I did not really care. Eventaully I wanted a cell phone as well and got one in 10th grade. After a few months or a year, not really sure, I wanted texting and was able to get that.
I got Myspace sometime in high school and got tired of that and created a Facebook account before my first year of college.
I am much more involved with technology now than I ever have been. I use my computer, and Ipod touch. Technology has evolved a lot and I am slowly adjusting to it.
I was never really interested in the next cool thing. When everyone started getting cell phones in 8th grade or 9th I did not really care. Eventaully I wanted a cell phone as well and got one in 10th grade. After a few months or a year, not really sure, I wanted texting and was able to get that.
I got Myspace sometime in high school and got tired of that and created a Facebook account before my first year of college.
I am much more involved with technology now than I ever have been. I use my computer, and Ipod touch. Technology has evolved a lot and I am slowly adjusting to it.
Shelly Guy
I have always been very interested in new advances in Technology. Both of my parents are engineers who have quite a bit of experience with computers, considering they work with them every day. So I guess my parents have played quite a big role in keeping me up to date with the latest computer technology.
I remember the first time I had ever been on a computer. I had often watched my dad play computer solitaire and some cool piloting games using a joystick, when I was little. Then my world really opened up when my sister got a computer for Christmas one year, and we were both fascinated with it. We would do a bit of exploring on the web, like googling our names and pictures of animals we liked, and then we learned how to IM.
I also remember using computers in school, and playing fun math and reading games. I finally got my own computer when I was in Middle School, but I still wasn't very experienced with all of the tools that were available to me.
After taking a few computer classes in high school, I became much better at typing and at using the basic Microsoft programs; including, word, excel, and powerpoint.
Finally, my junior year in High School, I got a cell phone. But, it wasn't until my Freshman year of college that I got texting. I felt like the outcast because, I was the only one of my friends who didn't have texting at that time!
I now have a cell phone, laptop, mp3 player, printer, tv, dvd player, and gps
I remember the first time I had ever been on a computer. I had often watched my dad play computer solitaire and some cool piloting games using a joystick, when I was little. Then my world really opened up when my sister got a computer for Christmas one year, and we were both fascinated with it. We would do a bit of exploring on the web, like googling our names and pictures of animals we liked, and then we learned how to IM.
I also remember using computers in school, and playing fun math and reading games. I finally got my own computer when I was in Middle School, but I still wasn't very experienced with all of the tools that were available to me.
After taking a few computer classes in high school, I became much better at typing and at using the basic Microsoft programs; including, word, excel, and powerpoint.
Finally, my junior year in High School, I got a cell phone. But, it wasn't until my Freshman year of college that I got texting. I felt like the outcast because, I was the only one of my friends who didn't have texting at that time!
I now have a cell phone, laptop, mp3 player, printer, tv, dvd player, and gps
Monday, January 25, 2010
Welcome
This is the course blog for Ben Smith's ISTC 301. We meet on Mondays at 4:25 PM. Welcome everyone. I am looking forward to a great semester
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