My Technology Timeline by

What is...Technology?

zay2151192 — 2025-02-05 00:10:12 UTC

While my mother-in-law, Erica, was in elementary school, she had never heard of "the internet." She explained that her teachers would use overhead projectors and label makers. She elaborated about the use of textbooks, glossaries, encyclopedias, a pocket sized dictionary for each student, and a ton of homework packets they used for all educational purposes.

It wasn't until she was in about fifth grade when her teacher had gotten a computer and printer. For the most part, at the time, she had said that made things a little bit easier, but "Don't get me started on the bubble test sheets!" she exclaimed.

Bubble Test Sheets?!

zay2151192 — 2025-02-05 00:36:06 UTC

My mother-in-law explained how she dreaded taking tests because of the bubble sheets. She said if you mixed up one question with the wrong answer placement, then of course the answer would be wrong. For this... many children would mix up questions to answer placements on the bubble sheets. However, there was a generator that would grade the tests.

I can only imagine the frustration of having the right answer but in the wrong place!

Internet wasn't widely available until 1983, however, it was very limited to research institutions and not yet made generally public.

"Digital Native"

zay2151192 — 2025-02-05 01:14:30 UTC

Like my mother-in-law, my sister said how she remembers also using overhead projectors. However, a 20 year difference of course came with more updated digital projectors. She was introduced to the use of computers through specials at school.

Smart boards was a new form of a whiteboard that she said teachers would use for getting interactive lessons.

What kid doesn't like new things?! My sister enjoyed almost all new technology. She explained that she kind of grew up with all the new technology, but it definitely shocks her, on just how much technology is used for almost everything now.

The Catchy Clicker

zay2151192 — 2025-02-05 01:19:27 UTC

One of my sister favorite was the clicker! She said this made learning easier, gave direct feedback, made interactive throughout the classroom.

I attended school in the early 2000's and i can also vividly remember using clickers! This was a fun way to play games within the class. Sometimes it was a hit a miss whether your clicker worked or not!

School in 2020's?

zay2151192 — 2025-02-05 01:30:43 UTC

My youngest sister attends middle school. She explained just how much technology is used today. Almost all her assignments, attendance, grades, fast-working internet, built in websites on on a Chromebook. She said that each student is assigned and responsible for their Chromebook throughout the school year.

How crazy?! Her and I are only 8 years apart, but to think that you have to log in everyday to access your school assignments is crazy! I remember we would only use computers in the library or technology class and only for testing!

Access to Everything!

zay2151192 — 2025-02-05 01:39:03 UTC

My sister elaborated more about the use of their Chromebooks within the classroom. Her teachers will link all assignments in Google Classroom, that students will have access to, to work on, take notes, email their teachers, and do testing all via computer.

She said for her she enjoys have her own computer that way she can do her work on her own and at her own pace and it's easier for her to turn in her assignments and have them graded quickly in response.

Wow! From listening to my mother-in-laws experience with technology in school to my younger sisters experiences is mind blowing! Time's have really changed.