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No cable TV!
[Negative and Positive] Because of this I was not connected to the TV screen all day, however this did mean we were a bit disconnected socially to our peers. -
Our friends share their Disney VHS collection
[Positive] Our family friends who had an older daughter going to college decided to lend us their Disney VHS collection. This was my first contact with Disney and ignited a life long love of all things Disney! This was also my first association with movies as before this, we mostly would only use the TV to watch educational cartoons on PBS. -
My family gets its first family computer.
[Positive] My parents had used computers in the past to write their doctoral theses on however this was the first computer that was usable enough for all of us to try. -
I get to play my first video game: Odell Down Under.
[Positive] My older sister was the first to play on the computer and eventually showed me how to play Odell Down Under, a game that came with the Microsoft Windows platform. This opened a whole new world for us as we started to play other PC games like the Oregon Trail and Jump Start. This actually helped us to collaborate as we'd have to take turns on the computer. Through Odell Down Under we began a lifelong love of gaming. -
We make friends with our neighbors who own a N64.
[Positive] Little did we know there were more than just PC games out there! We befriended our neighbors who owned an Nintendo 64 game system. This was our first experience with a multiplayer game where we could all play at the same time (N64's have four controllers). We we able to collaborate and play together with new friends. These friends would become lifelong friendships! -
Our own Nintendo Entertainment System (NES, the original Nintendo)
[Positive and Negative] My cousins got a new gaming system and wanted to give away their original NES. We were so happy to get our own gaming system. My parents did not yet understand how much we were beginning to get into gaming, and were not planning on getting us our own system any time soon. While this was a very positive experience for us in many ways, forcing us to take turns and collaborate to solve problems, it also took over much of our time. My parents enforced a time limit for us. -
Making Videos
[Positive] My parents had an old video camera that recorded on VHS tapes. They bought a new, more up-to-date camera and gave the old one to myself and my siblings to play with. We created many of our own videos including cooking shows and full live action productions.This fostered creativity and collaboration! -
My giant boom box.
[Positive] I saved-up a bunch of money from my birthday gifts and chores in order to buy the boom-box of my dreams. It held 3 different CD's at a time and really had a positive impact on my love of music. -
AOL Messenger and My First Email Account
[Positive] My parents allowed me to create my own email account (as long as they also had access and I went online while in the family room). I did this through AOL and was introduced to messenger where I could talk to my cousins in Pennsylvania. This was a really cool experience for me as I was unable to contact them in any other way. -
First Cell Phone
[Positive and Negative] My parents got me my first cell phone when I got my driver's permit. This was long after many of my friends got their own cell phones so I was very happy to finally get my own. This did also open many social doors for me which was both positive and negative as not all of my new friendships were good for me. -
First Laptop
[Positive and Negative] I was given my first laptop my senior year of high school. This gave me a great tool on which to complete my homework however, I was also opened to the possibly dangerous internet world and had not been taught how to act responsibly online. I got into a lot of trouble a couple times for doing stupid things on social websites. -
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Online Classes
[Negative] I changed schools my senior year to an arts focused charter school. I had to take all of my AP classes online. I had trouble making friends and spent most of my time in a computer lab. This was not a great Senior year. -
Online Tutoring
[Positive] Even though my senior year was pretty horrible, my service project consisted of tutoring an online elementary school class. This was super fun and fueled my love for teaching. -
First SmartPhone
[Positive] This changed my life. I became extremely busy in college and needed something to help me organize my life. Getting a smartphone allowed me to check my email, use the calendar, and take pictures which all helped me become a better student. -
Apple Watch
[Positive and Negative] My husband got me an Apple Watch for my birthday and I love how up-to-date it keeps me however I am ALWAYS connected to my phone now. There's really no way to disconnect when your texts and notifications ding on your wrist.
