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 Space Mountain, Oregon Trail, and Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? I also began having computer classes during school where I remember using the programs Logo and Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. In middle school, I was allowed to create a screen name and an email address. During high school I continued to use the computer for a variety of reasons: writing papers, creating slideshow presentations through PowerPoint, and using the internet to research information. During a study abroad trip, I used the internet to stay in contact with my friends and family through the use of email and MySpace. In college, I continued to use a computer for papers, research, and social networking but I also use it to view videos and music.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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