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First glance at the web
During my elementary years, we would have the opportunity to go to the computer lab. There we played on programmed games, and got familiar with the big boxy computers that kids these days have no idea how to turn on! Around this time, I would've been in 5th or 6th grade. I remember our teachers had us use the library computer to look up books and research particular topics. At that point in time, I do not remember a whole lot of research going on other than playing on "Oregon Trail". -
Middle school social media
During the early 2000's, I was in middle school. I have fortunate enough to have a good friend who had what I considered "fast dial up". We would use AOL chat, and MSN messanger to talk and communicate to our friends. My family did have a computer, and had access to dial up, but we lived further out in the country so our dial up was CONSTANTLY disconnecting and ruining my very important conversations! -
High school, blah!
During my high school years, teachers expected more research and less social media use out of the computers and internet access; who would've thought! Spark Note and Pink Monkey study guide websites helped me survive tests that I did not study for, and allowed me to feel apart the conversation even if I didn't even read the text! I mean, how did teachers expect students to read when they had MySpaces to create! -
Time to get serious
As I entered college, dial up was ancient history. We were able to simply click a button, and magically had all sorts of goodies found on the internet. Not only was I able to find accredited information for school work, I found that email was my new best friend! How simple email could hold so much important information and was able to share with others as well. I found that looking for jobs required filling out applications online and creating resumes were essential on expensive Microsoft word. -
What would I do without it!?
Every day I use the internet for ridiculous reasons, just because I can. Whether its to check how far it would be to travel to Florida, watch a youtube video of my favorite song, or add a new facebook status! As a teacher now, I almost solely rely on the internet to help plan my lessons and use it to deliver important information to my students. Assessments being done only online as compared to my paper and pencil Proficiency test has come along way!