A Journey Through my Technology History

My First Computer experience

Sep 20, 1989

It's my first year of elementary school, Kindergarten! To help us with our math skills the teacher lets us go on the computer and play number munchers and other basic games. None of us can get the program running of course - we don't understand msdos!

Got it!

Oct 17, 1989

I figure out dos and how to load number munchers......what a game!

My first computer

Jun 20, 1994

We get our very first personal computer. Windows 3.0! Naturally I spend most of my time on paint - specifically with the spray can doing "graffiti". My hand eye coordination with a mouse slowly develops.

First Printer

Jul 20, 1994

I am the envy of the neighbourhood, I have my own dotmatrix printer. I start typing my projects and handing them in. It prints in COLOR!

World Book Encyclopedia

Mar 20, 1995

The internet isn't the best source for knowledge and books are heavy, thank goodness I have the latest in educational software - world book encyclopedia.

Windows 95

Feb 20, 1996

Our school gets new computer complete with windows 95. I explore games such as Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego, Civilization, and the Yukon Trail, not to mention Gizmos and Gadgets.

The internet

Nov 20, 1996

Our school gets the internet. None of us understand it. Pages are limited. "Surfing the Web" is a term I don't really grasp.

The internet comes home

Jul 20, 1997

After months of begging our house gets the internet. 56K! I don't know what to do with it but looking at web pages is cool. My parents are on call at the hospital so I can't be online...we have only one phone line.

ICQ

May 20, 1998

I start using ICQ - my first foray in to online communication. I create a profile and start joining random chatlines on sports, video games etc. I connect with people across North America

Photoshop

Aug 20, 1998

I start using photoshop - the first complicated computer program I "learn" through trial and error and online tutorials. I start combining animals - a lesson plan I used to use to teach tech. to grade 6's in a cross curricular approach.

MSN Messenger

Apr 20, 1999

I start using MSN messenger - it is far superior to ICQ. You can include emoticons!

Napster

Mar 20, 2000

Friends tell me about Napster. My parents won't let me download.

Diablo II

Jul 20, 2000

I start playing diablo II online - my first online game. It is neat to add people to your friends list and communicate while gaming.

Programming

Sep 20, 2002

I take the only tech course offered in my small town high school - programming with Q-Basic. This leads to me exploring other basic programming languages years later and teaches me the logic today's programs use.

Tech Camp

Jun 20, 2004

I start teaching technology camp at U of M summer camps. I learn Anim8or (a 3d modelling program I still teach to kids), and I use basic website builders to help students build their first websites.

Apple begins world domination

Feb 20, 2005

I buy my first Ipod shuffle. Music will never be the same for me.

Imovie - Macs

Jul 20, 2005

I make my first foray in to the world of mac computing. Looking for something new to teach in summer camps I start learning I movie so I can teach students to use it to edit films we make. It continues to be my go to choice whether it is live movies or stop motion.

Youtube

Jan 20, 2006

I start finding videos on youtube - favorites include sport highlight packages and funny commercials. In rez we start to gather around and share cool youtube videos we find.

Twitter

Aug 20, 2006

I hear about twitter for the first time and check it out. I don't understand it and I begin to be turned off by certain aspects of facebook and similar social media types. Vain posting and pushing of opinions distances me from the techs.....not to mention a lack of a smartphone.

Facebook

Jun 20, 2007

I make my first facebook account to post pictures while I am on my first big trip abroad - the U of M ed. teaching course in Thailand. I post pictures, add friends, and start to communicate that way.

Skype

Sep 20, 2008

Leaving to England for a year to teach I download and instal Skype on my parents computer and my own. We learn to use it so we can have video chats throughout the year.

Smart Phone

Sep 9, 2009

I begin teaching in Winnipeg. I am advised to get a smartphone so I can text and keep up with friends more easily, not to mention work. I begin to be a bad texter. I hate being accessible 24/7.

Cell Phone

Dec 20, 2009

I get my first cell phone in England so my teammates can text me when to pick me up for rugby practice. I still prefer calling - it is more personal.

Iphone 5

Feb 20, 2013

I get an Iphone 5 so I can communicate with people more effectively. I use the internet to keep track of sports scores and movie times and the odd youtube video. Still not a social media person.

2014 and beyond

Feb 20, 2014

I still don't enjoy social media. I don't like to share personal information and I appreciate face to face communication or at least voice.