# data[].attributes.body
Raschel Wagstaff/1st grade

How many of your parents have to stop at gas stations to ask for directions when you are on a trip? When I was little and my family would go on vacations, if we ended up lost we had to stop and ask for directions. Now you can program it in your GPS, your phone and even your car!!!!

# data[].attributes.body
Long, long ago, before the Internet, my parents bought me a set of encyclopedias. One book for every letter of the alphabet with information and pictures about everything I could I think of. It was wonderful!!! In a time when learning something new depended on who you knew or a special trip to the public library, having those books opened up the whole world. Now, of course, we can find almost anything we want with just a few clicks--how wonderful! I love being able to find the answers to my questions so quickly.

# data[].attributes.body
I remember when cell phones came out they used to be really big boxes that you could keep in your car. I got my first mobile phone when I was in college it was smaller, but still bigger than what people have today and it only made phone calls (no pictures, videos, or music).

The other thing that was pretty new when I was in college was email and the internet. I didn't get to use either one when I was in high school, much less elementary school, I didn't use a computer until I took a typing class in High School.

Now I can use my iPhone for music, pictures, video, internet, and email! It's even small enough to fit in my pocket. I can use the calendar to keep track of my schedule for myself and my kids which is really helpful.

Instead of having to use lots of books, I can now use the apps on my phone. It makes my job as a mom and as a nurse so much easier.

# data[].attributes.body
The biggest way technology has changed in my lifetime is the way I use a phone! When I was young, we had two phones in our house and they were connected to the wall with a cord. I remember the first time I got a cell phone in my car. I was a senior in college and it came in a gigantic bag that plugged into the car. Now, I carry my phone all the time! I use it to listen to music, call people, text my friends, play games, check the weather...I even order clothes online! :)

# data[].attributes.body
One more thing! Tablets and apps have changed the face of speech therapy. I used to lug around a huge rolling cart full of toys, sound cards, and workbooks from campus to campus. I still have a car full of therapy stuff, but if I don't feel like lugging it all in, I can just grab my tablet and pull up any sound a student is working on and track data on the spot. No more articulation decks! And my camera doubles as a mirror and voice recorder so my students can get instant feedback on how they are doing. Not to mention all the wonderful ways I can address language with fun apps that let you play dress up, cook food, cut hair, and run your own business complete with register, money, and a catalog of merchandise. Love me some Toca Boca apps!

# data[].attributes.body
Today you get to enjoy a classroom mic or sound system so you can hear your teacher loud and clear no matter where she is at in the classroom. My teachers never had that and I remember how often they would lose their voice because they had to talk loudly for long periods of time. You also get to have a high-tech projector that comes on instantly so you can watch videos, visit websites, and see your homework any time. We had projectors too, but they weren't in every classroom. Instead they were in the library where we had to check them out. They were big and bulky and had to be rolled on a cart because they were so heavy.  You had to plug them in, wait for them to warm up, roll the cart back and forth, and then adjust the lens until you could see the image. And boy were you in trouble if you bumped the projector cart because then you couldn't see anything and would have to start that whole process all over again. Videos in class were a treat and they weren't watched on the projector or heard through a sound system. Nope, back to the library to check out a big bulky TV with an ancient VCR. Technology makes your teacher's job easier and learning so much more fun!

# data[].attributes.body
Teaching has changed drastically! Now we use technology seamlessly in every lesson. Not long ago, the only technology that was used on a regular basis was an overhead projector. We had to copy our worksheets onto paper that was made of clear plastic. We had to use it with dry erase markers and everything was black and white.

# data[].attributes.body
When I was in Kindergarten, in 1980 (WOW), video games didn't even exists, and we had just 3 channels on 1 TV. The only time cartoons came on was Saturday mornings, but this wasn't a bad thing, we spent most of our time playing outside. We became VERY creative and got plenty of excercise.  We built forts, treehouses, rode our bikes, set booby traps, looked for bugs and other critters, played tag and sports, had races, and lots of other fun things. We had one rule, be home before the porch light came on! :)

# data[].attributes.body
Technology has changed the way we watch movies at home very much. Services like Netflix or Apple TV did not exist when I was young. Instead of streaming movies on the TV instantly, we had to drive to a movie rental store like "Blockbuster" or "Hollywood video" and pay them a fee to let us borrow the movie for a few days. These stores were filled with thousands of movies on shelves, much like shopping for groceries or looking to check out a library book.

# data[].attributes.body
Technology has changed so much since I was a young person.  I remember when our family got our first computer(which was a big deal because not too many families had them).  Before getting a computer we used a typewriter to complete major writing pieces.  However, the graphics and capabilities are dynamic compared to early computers.  Even video games have changed.  We had an Atari when I was growing up.  The graphics and capabilities are much more life-like today.  I like to take pictures (a lot) and it used to be a much longer process to see the photos.  Digital cameras have given us instant gratification and editing power.  We did not have cell phones when I was growing up.  We had land lines and pay phones.  I believe cell phones have provided peace of mind in cases of emergency and "taking the conversation with you" have given ease and mobility.  I could continue to provide examples of the changes in technology, but I am beginning to feel old.  I am not that old, but we have experienced a lot of change through my lifetime because of technology.  It will be interesting to see what is to come.

# data[].attributes.body
Tish Cawley, GT Teacher

Technology has changed greatly over my lifetime.  The first time I even used a computer was in 4th grade.  My mom signed me up for summer computer class because computers were the new thing.  I learned how to create a picture on the computer.  We started by drawing a picture on grid paper.  Then we entered the coordinates for each square of the picture.  This produced a picture, but it looked nothing like the pictures today.  Now you just copy and paste or insert clip art.  This is a very big change!  Another big change involving technology can be found in the library.  When I was a child, we had to locate books by using the card catalog and the Dewey Decimal System.  Now, we can just go to the computer to help us locate books.  The biggest change of all involves phones.  I used to have sit right next to the phone because it was attached to the wall.  Then came cordless phones which were awesome!  Now, we have cell phones that text and allow us to Face Time.  I never imagined I would see all these changes in my lifetime.  I can't wait to see what the future holds.

# data[].attributes.body
I am thankful that we have the technology we do today.  It is the easiest and fastest way to keep in touch with my family outside of Texas.  Social media sites like Facebook have also enabled me to reconnect with friends that I went to elementary and middle school with!  I never thought I would be able to talk to them again once I moved away, but with the help of technology, I am able to see what they are doing now, look at pictures of them, and even chat.

# data[].attributes.body
When I was in high school if I had an after school event that ended early the only way to get a hold of my parents to pick me up was a pay phone. There were no cell phones, we only had pagers/beepers that would show phone numbers that wanted you to call them back. There was a massive row of payphones and I always had change with me to make sure I could call. Now you barely ever see a payphone.

# data[].attributes.body
We did not have computers when I was growing up.  Then I remember seeing a computer in college.  It was the size of a classroom!  Now we have laptop computers, desktops and handhelds!

# data[].attributes.body
I can't live a day without technology! I use google docs to help my own kids with their college work, and Skype, email and texting to help students get help with their online classes.

# data[].attributes.body
It is so cool that touchscreens react to your fingertips.  You can swipe across, up or down on a tablet or computer screen and the screen will change.  It's fun to swipe so quickly through photos, videos or apps!

# data[].attributes.body
The internet lets you learn anything you want ...any time and any place!  Technology made it easier for me to earn my Master's Degree from UT!

# data[].attributes.body
I use Google Hangouts to video chat with my family in Michigan once a week. I miss them terribly, but being able to "hangout" with them and see how they are doing makes me feel better. When I went to school in Michigan and they all lived here in Texas and I could only talk to them on the phone. It's so much more fun to see them!

# data[].attributes.body
When my dad would go on business trips, I would not see him for a whole week, which made me sad. Now, when my husband goes on a trip, my kids can talk to him and see him over Skype. It is amazing to be able to see him in his hotel room halfway around the world!

# data[].attributes.body
Phones have changed drastically in my lifetime. When I was little I can remember having to stay in the kitchen to talk to my friends on our home phone (which was attached to the wall!) because the cord only reached so far! Now, everyone I love is a call or a text away, no matter where I am or where they are!! I also remember when a friend of mine in college got one of the first cell phones. It was the size of a lunchbox and weighed as much as a brick! Now, I carry my phone in my back pocket!

# data[].attributes.body
Digital cameras have changed my life. For many years I had to use up a roll of 24 or 36 photo film, then take it to Walgreens to be developed, which took many days, and then go back and pick the photos up. Now I can take a picture, upload it to the computer and print it immediately! This technology lets me see pictures of my grandchildren every day!