How Technology Has Evolved – A Gen X Perspective
I am a proud Gen Xer. I loved growing up in an age where we experienced major technology shifts. We are a unique hybrid of digital users who are extremely comfortable with technology but still remember a time when things were a bit more primitive.
Life has become easier with technological advancements, and in education and business, being tech savvy is increasingly important.
From Chalkboards to Interactive Whiteboards
In school back in the 80s, our lessons were taught with the help of chalkboards and overhead projectors. Those big, bulky pieces of machinery wheeled into the classroom on a cart were the highlight of our day. Who does not remember the thrill of being allowed to write on the transparency with a dry-erase marker and seeing the results projected on the wall? We also had the luxury of the CompuCoach, a bus with computers that came to our elementary school. It was all very high-tech for the time.
Tech savvy students use interactive whiteboards. Students born into the digital age often prefer engaging and interactive learning experiences. Interactive whiteboards invite students to engage with lessons and teachers are not limited in what they can present to students. An interactive whiteboard can integrate with many different cloud-based platforms, including Google Classroom and Blackboard Learn. Teachers have a wide array to choose from, whether it be photos, graphs, illustrations, or videos.
From Apple LLC to Lightning Fast Laptops
I remember when my dad, an early adoptive Boomer, brought home our first computer, an Apple IIc. I was around eight years old, and I remember thinking how cool it was to have a computer in my own house. It had a black and green screen and I used to play games on a floppy disk, the old 5 1/4 inch flexible ones. I was the envy of all of my friends because I was among the first of us to have a computer. Everyone would come over and we would play computer games and explore MS DOS like we were early coders.
When I joined the working world, laptops were typically reserved for executives. Most employees had desktop PCs. If you traveled, you had to ask several times and make a strong case to even be considered for a laptop. Even then, approval was not guaranteed. When returning to the office after being away for a week at a trade show, many emails were waiting.
A high performance laptop, durable and portable, is essential for working efficiently in multiple environments. Adequate memory, a current operating system, and up to date virus protection help ensure productivity and security.
Tech Savvy Students Need Tech-Savvy Gear
When I started driving in the early 90s, I was given a car phone to put in my trunk. It was huge, had its own bag and you could pretty much only call 911 unless you wanted to be charged something like $15 per minute. When I went off to college shortly after that, I was given a prepaid phone card to make my long distance calls and a word processor to complete assignments if I did not want to make the trip to the computer lab.
Most teenagers have a phone. With Bluetooth technology available in modern vehicles, it provides a safer way to make and receive calls when necessary. Long distance charges are largely a thing of the past, and video calls make it easier for college students to interact with their families and stay connected.
Currently, I have a Gen Z daughter who was practically born with a smartphone in hand. In preschool she used a tablet, in elementary school she was given a laptop, and she is rarely without her smartphone, which is like her oxygen. I cannot wait to see what amazing technology is available when she is in the workforce.
The technology evolution reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite movies, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. “Life moves pretty fast. If you do not stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”