Blog Journal #1

 

Technology by Mervi Eskelinen is licensed under CC BY 2.0 

Introduction 

I’ve never written a blog before but I’m assuming it’s supposed to be casual. I guess you’re here because you want to know a little bit about me... well tough s***, I don’t give out that information for free. Nah I’m kidding, this is usually a conversation I’d have over dinner and a movie; however, in the name of COVID I suppose I can give you all a free-trial. My name should be obvious, I turned eighteen on July 3rd — yes, my zodiac sign is Cancer [insert gag]. My favorite color is green, more specifically the color of malachite — you should look it up. I’m a freshman at Florida State majoring in English Education... can’t wait to live the rest of my life impoverished! I’m joking of course, it’s not about the money for me...clearly. Kids have a special place in my heart — except the ones between ages one and thirteen and the ones named Nick, Jacob, Jonathan, or Kyle. The rest of them are cool though. Anyway, that’s the end of your free-trial. 

Using Technology in an Educational Setting 

We didn’t really begin experimenting with technology in school until around second grade. We would use computers for our Accelerated Reader (AR) tests or we would play educational (sometimes) video games — coolmathgames really helped me succeed in school. The older I got, the more reliant on technology I became. I used the computer for everything ranging from composing essays or creating PowerPoints or taking exams. Almost every test I took in high school was digital. White boards were decorated on instead of written on; they were replaced by Promethean boards. Now as a freshman in college, I’ve become even more reliant on technology as all my classes have transitioned to a virtual platform... but honestly, I can deal with that; I can wake up two minutes before class starts AND I don’t have to sweat my a** off every morning walking to class. Anyway, my point is, our generation grew up in the 21st century where innovations in technology never come as a surprise. Our dependency on technology in school was inevitable and I don’t anticipate that dependency diminishing any if at all; I only see it increasing. 

 

Personal Learning Network (PLN) 

I never really considered the fact that I had a PLN. Honestly to tell you the truth, I didn’t know what it was before a week ago. Throughout high school I would refer to my friends a lot for information. Honestly if not for them I’m not 100% certain I would’ve survived. Google is everyone’s best friend, I’m sure she’s included in quite a few peoples’ PLNs. All my homies hate Wikipedia though. In addition to everything else, textbooks would also be included in there somewhere; however, with as much as I hate reading, I’m sure I’ve had to blow the dust off a couple a few times.