Module 5 Reflection

Technology Module 5
Summer 2012

Discussion of Changing Views of Technology

In the beginning, technology was fascinating.  Observing the response of my son to our first little apple computer at the young age of 7 was even more fascinating – a milestone that took place in a developing country.  The game “Jeopardy” came with it and he would “pause” so he could run to our outdated set of second-hand encyclopedias to look up answers he didn’t know. Over the years I engaged with computers, however, I often found them confusing and frustrating so I developed an attitude.  Humanity had lived a long time without them and gotten a long just fine.  While I was open to email and learning a minimal amount to create written documents, I preferred the old fashioned way of communicating face-to-face, and spending little time on a computer.

But then I took EDU 583 and EDU 584, and my whole life changed.  Come to find out, I was way behind the times. It was overwhelming trying to learn how the class wiki was set up and remember passwords to different sections.  Often I was clearly in a panic trying to find out where the professors were on the wiki and how to get there before they moved on to another section! I looked around and my classmates were right where they needed to be on the wiki, following right along with the professors, and AT THE SAME TIME typing an email or conversing on chat.  This scenario meant I needed to reevaluate my attitude about technology.  It meant I needed to change.  It was embarrassing to be so needy in the class, my ignorance totally exposed for all to see.

  In hindsight I see that my change of attitude endured several phases.  The first phase was accepting that I needed to learn some things that did not come naturally to me. I was not a digital native so this language was going to be foreign to me.  My first attitude change could be summed up this way: I had to learn new things so I could pass the class.

The second phase was when I realized that using technology was really cool.  Having the chance to see the way some of my classmates were using it in their classrooms was awe-inspiring. It was cool, and I was slowly learning, but I could never become good at technology.  My focus was still on learning enough to pass the class. 

Phase 3 emerged subtly.  Technology became amazing!  I never thought I could create a wiki or get to where I could follow the professors on the class wiki with ease (most of the time). I may not become an expert, but I know a lot! I even know a few things my children don’t know! And I love it!  Now when I hear people describe their view of technology with my former attitude, I smile to myself and think… “if they only knew...”

If they only knew…how enjoyable it is to be exploring how to use something new on the computer while listening to Glenn Gould play Bach preludes and fugues or the Rajko orchestra in Budapest play Romanian folk dances , inspiring confidence and patience in the learning process. (I learned how to hyperlink too.)

If they only knew…how you can become familiar with just about anything (though you have to be aware of the source) by googling and RSS feeds.

If they only knew…how effective and engaging technology is with children, particularly those with special needs.

If they only knew…how you can stay abreast of news and situations one is concerned about (Syria, Kenya, fires in Colorado)

If they only knew…how great you can feel when you figure something out without any help!

If they only knew…that being literate in this day and age means knowing and continually learning this language (and once over the hump, it is quite enjoyable).

If they only knew…you can gather and creatively present information pertinent to your field or interests on a wiki or blog.

If they only knew…that the thrill of learning technology is contagious. You just have to be forced sometimes. The more I learn now, the more I want to learn and the more confidence I have.

If they only knew…that just because someone is good in a certain aspect of technology it doesn’t mean they know everything. Sometimes you have to search for someone who knows exactly what you need to know.

I continue to be inspired by the creative use of technology, such as the recent story on BBC about elderly and disabled people being taught to use computers in Brooklyn and how this is enhancing their quality of life and connection to family.  I have even dreamed about navigating on my laptop recently. That is a very good sign!

My current goals are: 

-to become fluent with using the ipad since our students are responding well to it

- to explore the Proloquo2Go website and look for grants-my lead teacher borrowed Proloquo2Go to try it out and was very impressed with how effective it was for communication with our students

- to understand more about Facebook (which my child has kindly informed me is “common sense”)

- to practice using zotero

- to work on my delicious account (my bookmarks have become really long)

- to explore the use of drop box for my research project.

            Many thanks to Dr. Grace and Dr. Theresa for two amazing courses. Extra thanks goes to Dr. Theresa for the many extra office hours of support, and to Sammie Garnett for her friendship and technological assistance.