My Experience with Technology in the Classroom Growing Up

During the 80s, I can remember using programs that involved graphing. The teacher would assign a design, such as a star, and you would have to command the computer to create the design in steps. For example, you type "R4" into the program which instructed the program to create a line four steps long to the right. Unfortunately, I have no idea what this program was called but I remember the class as clear as day. I believe I was in either 3rd or 4th grade at the time.

In the 90s, I lived overseas and attended private schools. These schools were well equipped with computers. The instruction in my computer classes focused on keyboarding, research, presentations, and the internet. In the 90s, many of the safeguards that we have today were not in place. I can recall many students using the internet to plagiarize research assignments. Unfortunately, programs, like turnitin.com, did not exist. These students were able to plagiarize without getting caught. In addition, I can also remember students pulling up highly inappropriate materials on the internet. Safety measures that prevent students accessing X-rated websites did not exist. Many students not only downloaded inappropriate materials, but also shared the X-rated materials with most of the student body.

AOL instant messenger became a staple in regards to technology while I was in high school. Students, myself included, would chat with other students during school and outside of school. Sometimes, I believe AOL instant messenger truly taught me how to type quickly, not keyboarding class.