Technology
How far we have come since Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence
using a goose quill! While that goose feather did not seem to dissuade Jefferson, are we very fortunate to have modern technology to make our tasks easier and for everyday work, far more effective. We are not all brilliant founders of the new country. I, for one, am grateful for the technology available to use in my classroom. I remember averaging grades before we used a grading program. I am not nostalgic. That involved hours of work, and now, my students’ grades are always available and touching a few keys gives final results. Wonderful!
As I have written in my blog, every aspect of Summer Institute, has benefited me greatly, but technology instruction has been something I have requested every year when we fill out requests for In-service Training that we think we need. Apparently no one paid attention to my requests. At Summer Institute, that hour and a half flies by, and every moment is helpful to me. I am not knowledgeable, nor talented, but all those who are helping are most patient, and I will come away with wonderful new skills, as well as handouts to guide me in what I forget. I love our exit slips! Every day, someone asks me what I think! I love responding, and I love reading the responses of others! It is the 21st Century version of sitting on my Grandma and Grandpa’s front porch and discussing the topics of the day. And I was worried that conversation was a lost art!
I have wanted a web page for years. Now, I have one, and I can design one for my students to use to check assignments, and even request help. I will need to work hard and to think, but with access to the knowledge from this summer, I know I can do it. Knowledge is power. Lack of updated abilities in using technology weakens ones ability to work in our society. I felt ignorant, and now I feel so much more empowered. I know that lack of knowledge of technology in our time in our society is as aging as wearing a full length mink coat, while pushing a walker. Saying I refuse to learn how to use a computer more proficiently is like saying I do not need to own a TV or to read and write. What I have learned in Summer institute has given me the ability to work with my students in an up to date manner.
I am most grateful for the technology instruction. It so enhances the writing and thinking process.
