Throughout my life technology has played a tremendous role in my life and I don’t know where I would stand without it. When reflecting upon just a few out of many technologies that have made an impact in my life and my future, specific technologies such as cellular phones, computers and the internet come to mind.
Cell phones are a technology that is significant in the lives of almost all people. They help people communicate around the world, as well as down the road to the local pizza delivery service. Like, a majority of the world cell phones play a role in my everyday life. I use my phone to communicate to friends, family, peers, my job etc. I also turn to my phone to use the internet when I am unable to access a computer. Although, cell phones have various useful applications, the most useful thing they have done for me is save me from dangerous situations. Throughout my life my car has broken down, I have been in car accidents, I have also witnessed dangerous events etc. All of these not so positive experiences could have been a lot worse if I did not have a cell phone that allowed me to contact the authorities, AAA, as well as friends and family for help.
Like cell phones, another technology that has impacted my life in a major way is computers. While growing up I did not have a great interest in computers or many technological devices for that matter. Although I had access to computers at home, school, and in my community I was always drawn to art and hands on activities. I can remember being intimidated by computers at times, because somehow had a preconceived notion that they were just too scientific and mathematical for me to comprehend, and those were subject areas in which I struggled with throughout all of my education. I am not completely sure as to why I had such feelings about computers, especially when my father is a computer scientist.
On the other hand I lived with my mother who was a teacher for thirty years, and although she was in a field of education in which technological advancements are constantly made and encouraged; she didn’t have a strong passion for learning new technology. With my mother’s lack of interest in becoming educated with technology such as computers, this reflected upon her children and her career. In my household I was not informed of all the positive benefits that computers bring, most likely because my mother didn’t have much interest in learning the benefits of computers. Later on my mother retired early for more reasons than one, but I can remember her saying one thing I will never forget. She said to me, “ I just feel that technology has taken over my job and I don’t even know how to use it.” She felt that technological advancements were taking away from her teaching strategies that she had used throughout her entire career and that it was unfair.
Although, the use of computers at home was not strongly emphasized, my peers were all up to date with all types of technology, especially social networking devices; but I still felt that computers were somewhat unnecessary in my life. I wasn’t until I graduated high school and enrolled into community college, when I started to gain a strong and comfortable relationship with computers. This comfort probably developed due to the fact that I had to do a large amount of research for all of my classes, in turn computers and the internet became useful tools in my life.
Throughout, my college career and life, the internet became more than just a useful tool for research for me; it became a world of unlimited possibilities. I became interested in social networking devices, such as Facebook in order to connect with distant family, friends and acquaintances. I now rely on the internet to pay a majority of my bills, send emails, make purchases, etc. Although, the internet provides me with unlimited possibilities, one of the most important things it has helped me with is my future as an art teacher. As a future art teacher I have learned many useful knowledge and tools in college. One of the most important things I have learned how to do is develop my own personal website. My website consists of my professional art teaching portfolio. My website is comprised of various examples of lesson plans, teaching strategies, my artist statement, my resume, mini multicultural activities, and my personal art work. I know that this website will benefit me and help me in numerous ways by increasing my chance of getting a job as an art teacher, developing as an artist, as well as selling my artwork. Without my exposure to the internet and learning how to create a website in Google sites, none of this would be possible.
Over all, these three technologies are highly prevalent in my life and in the lives of others. I have come along way in regards to adapting and embracing technological advancements throughout my life, education, career and future. As a future educator I recognized the role technology has played in my life and it is something I plan to encourage and share with my students. I also know that I will never stop learning and I have the will enhance and expand my knowledge upon the ever changing and developing technologies in order to benefit my students, family, friends, and myself.
