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[Technology 1429] Re: retrospectiveEunice Snay ESnay at qcc.mass.eduFri Dec 21 10:27:09 EST 2007
"What are the "wow' moments for the students you work with? Best, Mariann" I've had a few of these moments but I'll share two that are some of my oldest: I used to teach at computer camps during vacation weeks, morning and afternoon sessions. These camps were for youngster. We used Commodore 64's with external tape drives. We used the program "Logo" to teach basic programming. We couldn't get the AM group of students out before the PM group of students started arriving, the student just didn't want to finish. We then had the parents coming by to pick their kids up asking "What is the best computers" to buy for their Kids, because they saw how involved with the computer their children were. At the time Texas Instrument - TI 99 were being discontinuing and selling for I think about $50 at the time. You needed to buy all the software you wanted to use at the same time as it wasn't going be available for much longer. Of course because they were discontinuing the line there was no tech support. Regardless of the equipment I asked the parents what did they wanted to "Do" with the computer. They didn't know, and the kids were too new to the technology to know what they wanted to do or the capability. I still get asked what is the "best" computer to buy and I still have the same question I did back them, find out what software you want to run and buy a computer that will do it for you. I went back to recommending the Commodore 64's because it was going to be around for a longer time. Who knew at the time how short a time it would be with technology that move forward so quickly. The 2nd AHH moment was when I worked at a rehabilitation center in the late 80's early 90's. They received a few Apple GS machines, we then went out and bought, [2nd hand] a few more to have like equipment in the center. The students were adult's with varying disabilities. The staff working with the students asked why we were bringing in computers, if I can't use them how in the world could these students with the disabilities be able to use them. We had a gentleman that didn't communicate, lived within himself, didn't interact with any of the other clients. We sat him in front of one of the Apple GS's with some software we thought he'd like. He was totally engaged, trying to figure out what this was all about. After some time we thought he'd had enough time and we were going to move on the some other clients turn with the computer we couldn't tear him away from the PC. We found the only way we could get him to move on was to turn off the computer and only then did we find he was willingly to go on his merry way. He wasn't the only client that took to the computer tool. But the AHH moment wasn't the student it was the staff watching and becoming convinced that this tool just might be useable for some students. And they found they would give it a try to learn to use it themselves. AHHH going down memory lane & realizing how far computers and the users have really come. Eunice Snay Central SABES Regional Technologist 508-854-4514 esnay at qcc.mass.edu ... ________________________________ From: technology-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:technology-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of akira at boston sabes Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 4:26 PM To: The Technology and Literacy Discussion List Subject: [Technology 1420] Re: retrospective fun thread idea ! I think the most useful thing that I did in the beginning (mid to late 80s) was to use PINE, a unix commnad line email program and also read usenet news groups. This was when the world wide web was only text based and strickly non-commercial ! My how things have changed. These two things really made me think WOW this is revolutionary stuff ! Instant communication; one to one and one to many from all over the world ! -Akira ._____________________________________________________________________. AKIRA KAMIYA Adult Literacy Resource Institute Computer Field Technologist - Greater Boston Tel 617-287-4075 The people have the power... to wrestle the earth from fools -Patti Smith .______________________________________________________________________. On 12/20/07 3:51 PM, "Mariann Fedele" <MariannF at lacnyc.org> wrote: Hello all, It's a good time of the year to take stock and reflect. A recent CNN article (link below) begins, "Like a first love or a first car, a first computer can hold a special place in people's hearts. For millions of kids who grew up in the 1980s, that first computer was the Commodore 64. Twenty-five years later, that first brush with computer addiction is as strong as ever." For you, what was that first piece of hardware, software, or internet application that captured your imagination and brought you in to the technophile/techie fold? When working with your students is there something that is sure to get them hooked and motivated to explore using new technologies? I was a Commodore 64 owner myself. It was mostly used for playing Pong, but it was fun and was a gateway. How about you? http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/ptech/12/07/c64/index.html Mariann Fedele Director, NYC Regional Adult Education Network Literacy Assistance Center Moderator, NIFL Technology and Literacy Discussion List 32 Broadway 10th Floor New York, New York 10004 212-803-3325 mariannf at lacnyc.org <mailto:mariannf at lacnyc.org> <mailto:mariannf at lacnyc.org> www.lacnyc.org <http://www.lacnyc.org> <http://www.lacnyc.org> ________________________________ ---------------------------------------------------- National Institute for Literacy Technology and Literacy mailing list Technology at nifl.gov To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/technology Email delivered to akira.kamiya at umb.edu -- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/technology/attachments/20071221/4e87a7d6/attachment.html
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