How Technology has Shaped the Classroom

Gee, hasn't technology changed the classroom "quite a bit" for us here at NU? With the addition of all these crazy new "technologies" we have opened up thousands of new opportunities!

In math, instead of paper (you remember that old stuff, right?), we now write on our iPads! The application called "Pages" allows us to totally type stuff down right there in the classroom! Gee whiz! Of course, typing on the iPad is extremely cumbersome and unless you go out and spend 60 bucks on an external keyboard you will make tons of spelling mistakes...and sure, it may be almost impossible to adeptly switch between the three different keyboards needed to type out numbers and such, but heck! Aren't iPads exciting?

In chemistry, we use the iPads to add, subtract, divide, and multiply numbers as well as make graphs and tables! You might remember an old, old, old piece of tech that did all that, called a "calculator" and you may recall it being much easier to add in data and such, but hey! Aren't iPads awesome?

So really, people have got by at school for hundreds of years without technology. So yeah. But aren't iPads...tantalizing!?

Experience With Technology

I have had quite a bit of experience with almost all types of technology. I have a much more experience with Microsoft products, and so am not entirely settled in with the new suite of software that comes with these iPads, I am quickly adapting to the programs. Computers have taken up a large chunk of my time for some while, so I have learned to be fairly adept when it comes to adapting to new technology. This is important because of the rapidly changing world of technology.

When it comes to cell phones, I think everyone has a certain level of experience. Cell phones have become a part of our everyday lives almost as much as eating and drinking have. I have owned an iPhone for about two years now and so an used to that particular interface. I have never concerned myself with learning about the hardware in the cellphone, so in that respect I know nothing. Most cell phones are intuitive and easy to use so it is not hard to have a respectable amount of knowledge about them.

As I said before, I am more experienced with Microsoft computers than with Macintosh computers. All of the computers I have owned personally have run on the Windows OS. Although learning to use a Mac once you have used a PC is not hard, it's still tricky to get a complete hold on the technology.

Overall I have a higher than average hold on how to use most tech.