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LeapFrog-LeapPad Interactive Book
My first LeapFrog-LeapPad interactive book is a memorable experience that I reflect on in terms of my reading development and social development. With a combination of audio response with the touch of a pen and games within a book, I would spend hours playing on my LeapPad learning words and scenarios. It was my favorite thing as a child, in hindsight I believe it significantly influenced my joy of reading and learning words/etymology.
picture: 2021, LeapPad Learning System, carousell, 09/04/22 -
First MP3 Player
My MP3 player was my first technological opportunity to express myself and learn how to work in depth with a computer. I would find the songs I enjoyed and then download them onto my MP3 player. Aside from listening to music, I would also record myself speaking, reciting stories, making up interviews; it allowed for further creativity in the realm of storytelling and express my imagination. It also familiarized me with flash drives at 8 years old. Picture: Douglas Dixon, 1999-2018, 09-04-22 -
My Facebook Page
At 11 years old my parents finally let me create a Facebook page, under the restriction that I could only add people I knew based on in-person interactions. This marked the start of my social presence on the internet as well as my expansion of knowledge on navigating the internet from playing Facebook games, sending messages, uploading pictures, status updates, etc. This also improved my familiarity with a keyboard aside from Computer class at school, because I would always message friends. -
First iPhone
Freshman year of Highschool I got my first iPhone, which I consider to be the most significant technological event of my life due to the heightened connection to the internet it established for me. The safari app was my favorite go to when I had any questions, I could text friends at any second, I was also immersed in the ever changing lingo that takes place on the internet. It crafted my humor, deepened friendships, and enriched my curiosity with instant information. Picture: eBay, 09-04-22 -
The Internet Saves the Day
2020 marked my final year of undergrad and the greatest social difficulty of many. Having wi-fi was something I had taken for granted until it became my main source of social and academic connection during lockdown of 2020. Zoom meetings allowed for an easy transition for former in-person classes but most significantly allowed me to stay connected with friends during social isolation, in hindsight strengthening those friendships as we dealt with the disruption of Covid-19.