Today is Thursday. Tomorrow is Friday. Why does this matter? Well, I have to finish three assignments, pack, get my car ready, and shower all before I go to bed tonight. All because I have to wake up by 5:30am to drive nearly 9 hours to get to school. It sounds like I may be complaining, but I am not. I enjoy the drive and looking at the scenery. There are beautiful parts of the drive and one day I hope to take my family on the same drive.
I'll be driving down for my intensive course, EDUC 730 - technology in the classroom. The last class I learned a lot about Word. I knew little about using headings in the tool bar but now I feel more comfortable about it. I also enjoyed learning about Web Quest. I never heard of it before, but now I may try and use it more in my classroom. I am also glad I got to meet my group. I am the only guy in the group but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that we are all getting along and are supporting each other. Tomorrow will be interesting because we have a group project and, to me, I feel we are a little behind. But I am sure we will pull the pieces together and finish it up by the final class (which is also our last class).
In regards to technology. Sure I am learning about it and it's use for the classroom. But I can also think how much it has changed just to help me get to school tomorrow. I was able to book a room through the Internet. But even before that I was able to view various rates and look at hotel reviews. I was also able to map out how I will be going using Google maps. Even then I could chose a route in which I can avoid tolls. I was also able to see various buildings and surroundings using the street view and satellite view.
But even in the car there is technology. My car has anti traction control. It can tell me the temperature outside and adjust it in the inside so I am comfortable. I have a GPS to guide me along so I don't need to look at any maps. But if I do, I can pull out my smart phone to see a map. These little things make my trip so much easier. I can imagine how much more difficult it would be without it.
I can also imagine my class if I did not have the technology we do now. I would be spending days upon days in the library searching for material to support my literature review. My group would be calling each other on a phone to gather and collaborate. We would be faxing instead of e-mailing. It's sometimes hard to imagine, but at the same time how easy it is to realize how well off I have it. It also makes me wonder where technology will be taking us in the future. There is so much more out there that I don't even know. Maybe I'll learn about it in this class. Maybe I'll learn more on my own or from friends.
Driving down to school for a technology class learning about ways to use technology all the while utilizing technology. Maybe the idea of a "Jetsons" world isn't so far off.
