-
Weekly Reader
The first print source I have a memory of using is the Weekly Reader, I remember thinking that every week I would learn everything that had happened that week on the 4 newsprint pages -
Period: to
Laine's Life in ICTs
-
Field Guides
Starting in 3rd grade, my grandpa gave me a new miniature field guide for my birthday. I remember loving that I could keep them in my back pack and look up any kind of bird or mammal I saw as I walked home. It was my first experience using images and indexes to create meaning and identify things I saw. -
World Book Encyclopedia
I am pretty sure I started using the World Book Encyclopedia in 4th grade. I loved how every year the complete set of volumes had a picture that was made by the images on the spine. Here, I really began to refine my searching capbilities, I learned the importance of knowing synonyms to aide in your search for information. -
Grolier Encyclopedia CDRom
When we upgraded to a new PC, my parents bought me the CDrom version of Grolier's Encyclopedia. I remember thinking that I would never need another source, ever, from which to get information or images for school projects! How ironic to now use a "google image search" to fill in the part of my timeline! -
Apple IIe
In about 5th grade, my parents got our first computer, from my uncle! An Apple IIe! It wasn't until starting school at GSLIS that I realized that my mom was mainly using it to fill in database information for my uncle as sort of a "side job." He owned a company that compiled mailing lists for advertisers. Eventually, I learned how to navigate the fields and would put data in for him as well. -
AOL Chat Rooms
My best friend got internet access and we started going in to chat rooms together. I remember talking to other kids, but always getting interrupted by very scary adults. I don't really remember enjoying chat rooms, they seemed dangerous to me. -
The gap begins
I don't remember using any ICTs in Junior High and High School, most of the sources I used were print-based. The schools I went to didn't have databases or I was never taught/expected to use them -
Email
I think I got my first email address as a junior in high school and my parents only let me get one for school and college prep purposes. However, within a year they let up a bit and I was emailing my friends. -
Cell phone
I got my first cell phone, which could only make and receive calls, no texting capabilities for a couple more years -
Personal PC
My first personal computer was a stand-alone unit from Gateway, I remember thinking that I would never need another computer ever again...I think the screen was analog! -
Facebook
I joined Facebook my sophomore year of college. At first I remember using it with trepidation, and assuring my parents that you could "only be on it if you had an @edu email address." I don't remember using it a lot. Now I use it every day, for news, pop culture, and to keep in touch and communicate with family and friends. It is my preferred mode of communication other than face-to-face -
The Media Gap
As a VISTA volunteer in Phoenix, Arizona, I was amazed at the ICT proficiency of even the lowest income students I worked with. The local schools were focused on closing the gap in the realm of access to media interfaces for the many low-income students it served. It made such a difference! -
GSLIS Bootcamp
I started my graduate program on this day. It has opened my eyes to the importance and excitement in the area of making information accessible and well integrated to help media consumers. The program continues to teach me how to use the many kinds of media to help facilitate the connection between information and its users -
Teaching with Technology
Now, every aspect of my life is filled with ICTs. My cell phone is a mini computer, I have a PC and a Mac that I use for creating lessons and recording grades for my students. I design lessons that integrate the use of ICTs on a weekly basis. I use email, blogs, and facebook to communicate with my colleagues as well as friends and family. Email also means instant and constant contact between parents and students and myself. I don't really think about using them, I just do.
