Christine+Peters

=**Module 1**=

** Introduction ** Hi, everyone! My name is Christine Peters and I am quickly approaching my second year of teaching. I am a Teach for America Corps Member and am in the GSE Adolescent Social Studies program at Fordham University. In my undergraduate career, I studied Ethics, History, and Public Policy from a quantitate perspective. My undergraduate degree may seem odd that I have chosen the education path, however I love working with people and utilizing information to help their needs. As a teacher, we use data all the time to better inform us of their needs and how we can improve our practices. Unfortunately, it is not always so black and white, which is why I really love this profession.

** My Life as a Technology User ** Technology is the future; not only in the use of it but also in the way students think and learn. At an increasing rate, new technologies on the web are appearing and quickly emerging as mainstream knowledge among our students. Moreover, students have changed the needs of conventional education. Richardson agrees that “a linear progression of learning," does not fit in the new, technology advanced society of our students.

As a student, I feel I have had the opportunity to witness and experience this progression first-hand. I remember using the Internet for the first time. Instantly, I changed as a learner. The rudimentary web of my fourth grade, although archaic when juxtaposed to our contemporary web, opened the door to new horizons. I still vividly remember sitting in front of a green Mac desktop in the school computer lab and peering at my first web page. That morning, each student in my class was handed an assignment of several websites we had to visit and explore (and answer several questions in which answers were easily found on the sites).

The first website was about black holes. We were learning about astronomy I class and so it fit perfectly with what we were doing. Even before I ever learned about search engines, Wikipedia, or the magic of hyperlinks, I was completely awed at what I could learn from a computer. Up until that point, we would occasionally visit the computer lab to watch video, seek refuge after gym because it was air conditioned, or to draw shapes with a small turtle on Macro Worlds.

Looking back, I used my first computer in kindergarten, but never bean to appreciate its potential until 4th grade. Since 4th grade, I have increased my technology repertoire. I used the Internet progressively more in middle school and into high school, especially with the advent of social networking sites like Facebook. Also in high school, I bought my first flip phone and first generation iPod mini. In college, I attended Carnegie Mellon, a fairly 'techy' university. There, I was exposed to a variety of computer programs, including CAD and project management tools/collaborative software. Most recently, I have used my first iPad, and incorporate its usage in the occasional lesson. Additionally, I attempted to bring my collaborative software experience to the classroom, but I have found this difficult when my students are more Facebook literate than truly technologically literate (although I believe I will come to refute saying this at the conclusion of this course).

Overall, the first web page proved that computers could provide a fruitful experience. I felt like I had a purpose - I could read information and answer questions. Even better, I quickly learned that I could obtain even more information by typing in a new URL and absorbing what a new page had to offer. It was like a book, except with all information at my fingertips.