Web 2.0 in a Changing World (#2)

I am amazed today by the possibilities of the future. In my short 36 years of life, technology has transformed our world.

In elementary school, we had one computer for all of the students to share. We were each given 15 minutes per week of ‘computer time’ down in a room at the end of a hall, by ourselves. Since my family didn’t have a computer, my entire time was spent in frustration, trying to figure out how to turn on the machine.

In middle school and high school, computer labs were an exercise in frustration, as I knew very little about how computers worked. It wasn’t until I went to college that I had regular access to computers. I didn’t purchase my first computer until after I was married, in graduate school, and working on my thesis. That was in 1996, and the cost for the system was $2600.00.
Throughout college, I used email, Quicken, and Word frequently, but did not see the potential for technology to increase my productivity, or to connect me to others.

Then, we moved to Texas. My company used a computer system to track patient billing, employee productivity, and set up treatment plans. I began using technology on a daily basis. Suddenly, I had to find multiple facilities in an unfamiliar MetroPlex. My husband’s GPS became an incredibly useful tool, rather than a superfluous luxury.

I had transformed in 10 years from an individual who shunned computers as an expensive toy or gadget, to someone who appreciated the functionality of technology. On a daily basis, I was using my cell phone to stay connected to family via text and talk. I was using financial programs to track spending and organize my tax returns. I used email to stay in contact with family and friends. However, I had no idea what ‘blogging’ was, wasn’t sure how to chat, and couldn’t download pictures from my digital camera.

In my work, I already use a program to track student progress on special education goals and to write IEPs. Email helps me coordinate with colleagues. The curriculum program helps me ensure my lessons dovetail with what my students are doing in the classroom for the week.
But, after my first day on the job in Mesquite, I knew I had ground to make up. My goal this year is to become familiar with all of the technology tools currently available, so that I can become more productive and communicate more easily with parents and colleagues.

I plan to become more proficient in fully using the functions of Excel, to track and compute progress of my students on their various goals and objectives. I will be learning how to download pictures from digital cameras, which will help me share events with parents. Over the summer, I plan to create my own website for sharing information and collaboratioon ideas with parents. I am learning more about all of the functions of Outlook, to continue to organize my calendar and send email to groups.

I am looking forward to learning more about all of the tools of web 2.0 so that I can enrich my lessons, engage my students, and include parents in the educational process.
My goal is to increase communication with families and colleagues, and manage all aspects of my caseload more efficiently, so that I will be more productive. My goal is to use technology to help me work smarter rather than harder.

Education and the tools we need to use in the 21st century need to be flexible and creative. Bringing technology into lessons will actively engage students, teaching them how to be flexible, adaptive learners. They will learn to virtually simultaneously acquire, organize, and apply new information. They will also gain proficiency in basic computer literacy and skills (typing, word processing, etc.) All of these skills are important keys to being effective members of the workforce in the 21st century.
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