Education technology history

In my elementary school technology was non-existent. I can’t remember a time where we even used computers or the teacher used computers as a resource. Of course when we were all in elementary school technology was far less advanced than it is nowadays. My first experience with technology was in my seventh grade computer lab, Ms. Coffee was my teacher and I dreaded going to class every single day. She acted as a drill Sargent when it came to typing. Our fingers had to be on the exact keys and we couldn't look down at all. Throughout middle school and high school I didn't have any experience with technology with the exception of Microsoft word. My senior year of high school the teacher started to explore the internet and used a few different websites to teach but the students never got to use the internet on there own. Other than website research for a few projects I never used the Internet. I wish I was able to use the Internet to my advantage in high school but that just wasn't an option during my time there. Now my high school is giving students ipads and giving teachers all new macs. 

Technology is such a big part of our world today and I think teachers need to adapt and start using technology as a resource. Elementary schools are beginning to integrate technology into the classroom by using apps that kids can play on to learn. Many teachers who are not right out of college struggle with using technology as a resource which is why I am so happy to have this class to guide me through the secrets of technology to use in the classroom. Students should be able to use whichever resource is prevalent and right now that is technology. In my classroom I hope to use technology and other resources such as books and worksheets to help students learn.  I do not want to teach in a classroom that solely revolves around technology, I believe students need to learn the new way of doing things but also have a good grasp of the old ways such as paper worksheets and textbooks. I hope to have a good balance of old and new within my classroom. I do not want my students to become completely reliable on technology because some things just have to be done the old fashion way without technology. I wish I was introduced to technology at a younger age but I am grateful now that I know how to do certain things without technology and I fear that younger kids will not know how to do anything without using some source of technology.