Interactivity #1: Technology as Autobiography

     Technology has become such an important factor when it comes to education, and the new generations. There aren't many ways to avoid it in today's society and as a teacher I need to be aware of that, as well as accessibility to my students. The first video, "Olivia's Story" reminded me that I will be teaching students from all different home situations and lifestyles. Some may not have a computer to do school work on, write up essays, or watch a YouTube video relevant to a lesson. I have to make sure everyone in my class has the same opportunities that Olivia had, and the resourcefulness she has shown. I think it is very inspiring that Olivia has found ways to become so tech savvy when she doesn't have the convenience of owning a computer. Using the schools computer, the Mac Store, and her apartment's communal computer to access social medias and develop her computer skills are a great example of what students can do when they do not personally own a computer. It's important to me as a future teacher because I would want my students to be able to have access to a computer. Especially when it comes to art, the computer and internet have given me a limitless place for inspiration when it comes to art projects. As Olivia has inspired, I want to give my students ways to find access to the internet for when they graduate and move on with their careers or higher education they can be prepared for what is excepted of them.

     The three technologies I chose are my phone, MacBook, and my iPod. My phone is constantly with me and I feel lost, vulnerable, and disconnected when I don't have it. I sometimes feel that we depend on technology too much in today's society. For example I use my phone's GPS all the time, anywhere I go. This has made my life so much easier and I never have to be afraid of getting lost, except if I am without it. This has happened before and it makes me realize how dependent I am to it. I can't deny the fact that my phone is such a useful tool; I still use it constantly and it has shaped my life. It connects me to friends, family, work, and emergency aid. The next technology I chose is my laptop. It has shaped my life in giving me easier access to the world and connects me to news, friends, and blogs. When I'm not on my phone I'm usually on my computer, checking Facebook, Tumblr, or my email. It has helped me become a better learner in making information so readily available to me. My computer has impacted the ways in which I learn new information the most out of the three technologies I've chosen. I can read scholarly journals, and watch videos to help me learn anything I want. My last technology I've chosen was my iPod. For me, this device has shaped my life a lot because music is such a big part of myself. My music styles have changed throughout years as well as myself, and I think it reflects that greatly. I also think music is a great way to communicate and connect to people around you. Sharing and showing others your music is what music is about, finding a connection to someone you have never met, which is a common theme in technology as a whole. I feel like I share many of the same views about technology as the young people in the videos. I picked similar technologies and they did a great job in explaining why and how they have made them a better learner. Whether it is expressing themselves, connecting to people, learning languages, or learning how to use teamwork in real life situations these students use technology to get a head in the world.

  

     Technology has become a big influence on the younger generation because of its convenience. It can do so much for us - record memories, play us our favorite songs, hold hundreds of books, and give us access to a world of knowledge with the click of a button. Technology is fun, exciting, always changing and new. It brings possibilities one can only dream of and the younger generations love to dream. These young people show how important technology is to them, how it impacts their lives, and aids them in learning.