Tuesday, February 10, 2009

The Role of Technology

When I was in Elementary School, the only time I used a computer was to do Accelerated Reader quizes. My family had an old 1985 macintosh desktop computer, but I did not use it very often and we were the only family I knew with a computer. We used laser disk players to watch educational movies. In Middle School, we used a computer to make power point presentations and write papers. However, we did our research at the library, with a card catalog. We used overhead projectors in the classroom, too. In High School, I do not remember there being computers in the library. Most classrooms had a few computers, but we used them mainly for the word processor. When it comes to technology, my students will definitely have a vastly different experience than mine. They will be doing the bulk of their research for projects on the internet. They will not use paper card catalogs. They might even read many of their books online, as opposed to the actual bound book. By the time I am actually in the classroom, I am sure that technology will have changed even more and will be an even bigger part of a student's life.

6 comments:

  1. One of the things I like the most about our library at MTSU is the online catalog. We can search many parameters at the same time for any media available at the school. We can also search for books available at other schools through the ILL. The technology has become so much more advanced than when we went to High School. We have to teach our students to be able to access this information and use it. We are preparing them for thier future and it will definitely include technology.

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  2. I'm glad you mentioned elementary school. I forgot all about computers then because I was thinking about middle and high school. In elementary school, I played computer games like Oregan Trail and Zoombini's. :)

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  3. That's a good point. I was only thinking about middle and high school as well. I do not have any memories of computers in elementary school. Now Microsoft is marketing to very young children. I seen a commercial with a four year old using a PC. I think technology with continue to grow in our schools starting in elementary.

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  4. I had forgotten about Accelerated Reader in the elementary schools! I remember that - That was one of my favorite things to do in elementary school. They made it fun and had prizes for the people who had the most points. Things like that are great for students because they motivate them to learn more on their own.

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  5. yes accelerated reader was so much fun! i was a crazy kid and saved up all my points until i was in 6th grade and was forced to spend them. i got at least 20 nancy drew books with my points and it was so so exciting at the time!

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  6. What? I thought White Station was the end all be all of schools!? :0 We had labs stocked with brand new macs every year. I guess that's what 1.5 miles will do for you...and tuition. ;) But, I guess Moses didn't need powerpoint to get the Israelites to Cana--though it did take him forty years. :)

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