The Tube, The Rocket and the PC…….Technology and Learning

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     When I was a child, technology was coming of age with the NASA space exploration program. I vaguely recall watching the launch of Apollo 11 mission in July of 1969, resulting in the first landing on the Moon. As my family sat before the wood encased, rounded corner television; we were awestruck at the black and white images of the astronauts, the rocket launch, and the Moon walk. This was my earliest recollection of my engagement with technology. Additionally, during this era computers emerged with the advent of integrated circuit technology and advancements moved rapidly from here.

     When I entered Dental Hygiene school in the early 1980’s, technology and learning began to merge. Dentistry was evolving rapidly with the use of digital radiography, intra-oral cameras, lasers, and computers. In the dental office I began to augment patient education with computer animated videos and digitally enhanced radiography. My experiences with technology and learning have been many and began early in life. As I worked through my career I was able to use technology to complete online continuing education courses, product update webinars, and advanced college degrees with the assistance of a personal computer (PC).  Technology has contributed greatly to my learning in many aspects. For example, I was able to work full-time and study when I could without sitting in a brick and mortar classroom for set hours.

     The learning in the technology assisted online classrooms was deeper, richer, and much more robust. I was able to access resources that would have not been available to me in the past. I learned new technologies and applications that assist me today in my career as a college professor. Interacting with other students online offered a global perspective with a greater cultural competence that would not have been gained in a traditional academic setting. This is where learning and technology really intersected in my life. I was able grow rapidly as a professional and develop a valued network of colleagues. In retrospect, where technology met learning in my life became the touchstone of measurable forward progression that is yet to yield or stop.