Interactivity #1

Technology as an Autobiography

It is somewhat difficult to choose only three of the most influential communications technologies in my life up to this point- I have been very involved with technology since middle school. I can still remember my first AIM screenname, and I used to be very knowledgeable when it came to creating my own websites with HTML. Most of that knowledge is gone now. I think a lot of this has to do with the fact that there are so many great communications technologies and websites out there that I became disinterested in creating some myself. 

Without a doubt, my cell phone  (#1) is the most influential communications technology in my life. I received a cell phone in my sophomore year of high school and I was so relieved that my friends wouldn't have to call my house anymore! I loved being able to communicate right from my fingertips at all times. It was extremely helpful to text message my classmates when I had a question about homework-- some of these people I would have felt very uncomfortable calling. It also was helpful for people to get in contact with me, such as my volleyball coach and even teachers when they were going to be late to class. Now in college with a smart phone (the iPhone), my love for the cellphone has become even greater. I can now receive my emails from three different accounts, browse social networking sites like Facebook and Tumblr, get directions, share photographs, etc. I am learning a new capability of my phone every day still.

Tumblr (#2) is another important technology in my life. I have had a tumblr account since the beginning of freshman year, and I find it to be very inspirational, informative, entertaining, and easy to use. I love tumblr because I am able to browse whatever "tag" I want- that is, If I wanted to look up art, every picture tagged with art would show up on my screen and I would be able to reblog the pictures and add my own comments. This website has influenced me greatly because I have been able to find more contemporary artists on my own time (I find that we learn about famous past artists more in school). Tumblr makes me feel like a part of my own community, as a lot of my friends have accounts as well. 

My third choice is my iPod-- This small little device is filled with so many songs and can help me through any day. It's so easy to buy songs from your favorite artists and I love exploring new genres. 

Olivia's Story

Olivia may resemble students that I would be teaching. For example, she said she is constantly on her phone, which I feel that many of my students would be doing as well. This includes being on them in the classroom when they are not supposed to be. As a teacher, understanding Olivia's relationship to technology has raised questions and concerns for me in the future. Questions running through my head:
How do I make sure people are paying attention and aren't using their phones in class to text, or cheat on tests?
Will the school I am be similar to Olivia's, with students who have a limited experience with computers? How will they be able to carryout assignments on computers if they do not have one at home?
It is important to raise questions like these as a teacher and to find the solutions. It is important to understand not only how your students learn, but also where they come from. This includes their family life (like Olivia who lives in a small apartment with a large family), and things they may be exposed to such as drugs, peer pressure, etc.

Reflection

Both my cellphone and the Internet have impacted the ways I learn new information. I want things readily available to me now. Books can be frustrating sometimes, and I feel that my love of reading has changed. While I'm reading, I can only keep focused on a page for so long. I think a lot of this has to do with the Internet and my phone and sites such as Tumblr, where I can read small snippets and click somewhere else on a page. Textbooks can seem out of date now, and I always think to myself, "I wish I could just search it on Google". Beneficially, I think that these websites have also made me a lot better at multitasking. 
My interests were very similar to the technologies the young people in the videos chose.  One younger girl said she liked using her computer to make websites, and this reminded me of myself when I was young. I would say I'm still savvy enough in technology to know what the programs and technologies were that the students were talking about in the videos, but one day this may change for me. I feel the need to keep updating myself on the different technologies out there so I can be a better teacher.