Computer technology has forever shaped my life and many others as well, whether you want to believe it or not, it has. Our world today would never be the same if we didn’t have computers. Can you imagine what life would be like absent of computers and all the technology is brings with it? I know that I personally would never be able to understand how we could live without computers and most people that own computers today would agree. If you look back onto how far we have come with technology over the last hundred years, you will realize that we have come a very far way with technology and we continue to make it even better. Technology is such an incredible thing and every person has had their own experience with it, either good or bad. Everyone has their unique story, so here is mine.
For most people in my generation, computer technology was introduced to us in our early years of life, somewhere between the age of six and twelve. I still remember the first time I ever used a computer. At the time I thought it was the coolest thing that was ever invented. Learning how to use the computer was part of me growing up. Everyday I learned something knew about it, whether it was school related or not. Knowing how to use it broadened my knowledge greatly of technology and sent me on my way to becoming multiliterate. Learning it at such a young age I believe did shape who I am today because if you look at our elders, most of them do not know how to use a computer, and many of them don’t want to learn how. An example of someone who was shaped by literacy is a girl name Danielle who is mentioned in the article, “The Future of Literacy” by Danielle Devoss. She taught herself many things as a child and was taught by her bother how to use the computer. Now, she is working on her PH.D and has created her own organizational site. Literacy can take you a very far way. If I hadn’t been introduced to a computer, I am not sure if I could be writing this paper today for a college English class. It most definitely brought me to where I am today, without a doubt. I would say that the computer shaping who I am is a good thing. My life today is very computer and technology based, but that is because of how technology is changing in our everyday lives. You need to be computer literate to be able to do many things today. My teachers through elementary, middle, and high school are a main reason I can operate computers so well today. In the article, "Reimagining Computer Literacy" by Selber, he mentions that teachers today are either afraid to use technology or they aren't using it in the right way. This is vital to our future. We want our future children and grandchildren to learn how to use different technologies so that we can keep it growing. As I mentioned before, our world would never be the same without computers or technology.
Many people argue that places such as the library are being pushed aside due to new technologies like the internet. For example, students will look up something on the internet versus venturing into the library to do research. I personally am very guilty of this. Technology has made things such as research so convenient that traditions are being replaced. Another huge piece of technology is the GPS Navigation system. This technology is used by many people for traveling. What some people probably do not think about is that the GPS could malfunction or run out of batteries. Then what would you do? The GPS has replaced the old ways of writing down directions on a piece of paper that someone gave you. Another big change was brought about by cell phones. 30 years ago or so, only the rich people had cell phones. Now a days, I don’t even know a person that doesn’t have a cell phone. People today do depend on their cell phones a lot, but they are very helpful and have changed our world without a doubt. In these ways, I am definitely too dependent on technology, but I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing. I am taking advantage of the new things that are offered to me. Who wouldn’t?
My personal experiences with technology have been incredible from learning to use a computer, to having a cell phone, to an IPOD, to a car, all the way to my own laptop. When I really started to become literate in the technology field was in school where I was taught things such as Microsoft Office. If I hadn’t been taught that, I would be having serious trouble in college. My strong points today are using all the Microsoft Office tools. I never have any problem trying to do a presentation or writing a report, etc. I would really like to expand my knowledge of computers by learning more about videos and editing programs. I think it would be really cool to be able to shoot a video, upload it, and then edit it with sound and music. As far as other technologies go, camera usage is another one of my strong areas. One of my favorite hobbies is taking pictures and I have taught myself different techniques to produce better pictures. I would like to one day learn how to use special programs for picture editing so that I can edit my pictures on my computer and use them for birthdays, holiday cards, etc. The piece of technology that I use the most is Facebook, my email, and my sorority announcement system. Facebook is helpful for me to keep in touch with distant relatives and to quickly be updated on my friend's lives without having to take the time to call every single one of them. My email I use for school work mostly, which is very important. Also, my sorority system is extremely crucial to know what activities are going on that day. It is technologies like these that make the world easier.
In conclusion, technology is one of those things that will just never end. It is going to keep growing, just like we all are. I feel like everyday I see a new commercial on TV for a new piece of technology. Technology certainly has made me become the college student I am today and I don’t know what I would do without it. It is a great thing and we are very fortunate that it is expanding everyday. The truth is that you really can’t escape it, so you might as well learn how to use it!
