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Atari Game Console
My brother and I received an Atari Console for Christmas. The family could focus on interactive technology for entertainment. These were the first and last video games I could beat my brother at with some consistency.
Image Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Atari-2600-Console.jpg -
Oregon Trail
I vividly remember playing Oregon Trail as a reward in first grade. I don't recall learning much about the time period, more the unfairness of only having one computer for 25 kids. Also, I remember the innumerable amounts of deaths due to dysentery.
Image Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/methodshop/34828988290 -
CD Player
As a birthday present this year, I received my first shelf stereo system with a CD player. I also received Madonna, Bon Jovi, and MC Hammer CDs to play in it. It was an eleven year old girl's dream come true. My best friend was very jealous because she was a twin, and they only received cassette tape boom boxes on their birthday a few weeks prior. The twins could carry their music around, though.
Image Credit: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/869613 -
Microsoft DOS
As a high school freshman I had to complete a course in Computer Applications. I was given instruction in "reading" code and using MS DOS extensively. We were also instructed in the correct way to use a keyboard and I regret cheating to look at my fingers to this day.
Image Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/MS-DOS_Deutsch.png -
Home Computer
My grandmother awarded my family with a home computer in 1996. She was very concerned we would be left behind academically if we did not own one. Our living room needed to be rearranged to accommodate the computer and endless CD-ROMs that came with it, much to my mother's chagrin. My brothers used the computer more than I did, mostly to play games.
Image Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/HP-HP9000-B180-Workstation_62.jpg -
Cell Phone
I was a college student, and my brother was a high school senior the year our father bought us cell phones.The phones required phone cards to be purchased and the cost was about $1/minute. I did not use the phone to have actual conversations, and I did not have reception in my apartment. My father likely bought for peace of mind in knowing we could use them if we needed to.
Image Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/Ericsson_GH688.jpg -
Email Address
In the year 2000, I created my first email address at yahoo. I was in college, and began corresponding with classmates and professors through email, not phone calls. I still have access to that original email account and some of my first emails.
Image Credit: https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/10/05/00/41/yahoo-1715856_960_720.jpg -
Digital Camera
I often heard about digital cameras in college, but they were out of my price range. In 2004, I was becoming a world traveler and purchased my first digital camera for around $250. It had 4 mega pixels and it was amazing! For the first time, I could "see" my photo before having it developed.
Image Credit: https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2014/11/30/08/47/digital-camera-551287_960_720.jpg -
Ipod
I became a digital music convert after years of resistance. The ease of storing thousands of songs on a pocket-friendly device was just too enticing. I purchased an Ipod Classic, that I still own and use. Although, I am slightly nervous it will stop working one day, it was one of the greatest technological bargains I have ever purchased!
Image Credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:IPod_classic_6G_80GB_packaging-2007-09-22.jpg -
Teacher Web Page
During the 2008-2009 school year, I was responsible for creating and updating a current teacher web page for my classes as a high school English teacher. My district required postings of homework assignments, necessary handouts, and class announcements throughout the year. The use of a current teacher page eliminated the excuses from students and parents for missed or lost assignments and due dates.
Image Credit: https://www.oncoursesystems.com -
Turnitin
During the 2009-2010 school year, I required major student assignments to be submitted to Turnitin. Plagiarism was becoming a major concern and no grade would be provided without Turnitin submission. This also eliminated the problem of missed deadlines due to absences, as online submissions were a possibility and requirement.
Image Credit: https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1320/1433364455_d45ed3a798_z.jpg?zz=1 -
Google Classroom
I was introduced to the possibilities Google Classroom could provide for student and teacher sharing. Many teachers in my district rely solely on Google Classroom to deliver materials, but I am not there yet. My students are becoming increasingly confident is using technology both in and outside of school.
Image Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/59/Google_Classroom_Logo.png -
Online Class at Marshall University
Last year, I began the Masters of Education program with certification in School Library Media at Marshall University. I enrolled as a distance learner and began my first semester by taking online courses. Although the nature of online classes can be isolating, I love the opportunities to collaborate with classmates across the globe.
Image Credit: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Marshall_University_logo.svg/2000px-Marshall_University_logo.svg.png
