My relationship with Technology: A Deeper Look
Hello again!
I believe my relationship with technology is similar to those around me. I grew up with computers and have seen how far we have come. Being just barely a 90's baby (born in '98), I learned how to use the computer with the staticky, big, boxy screen. Although I have been able to witness the advancements, I never grew interested in learning the inner workings of the devices I use every day. Like I said in my first blog post, I can get what I need to do. I am technologically fluent enough to excel at what I do for work and be able to complete tasks for school but taking on new technology makes me nervous. I am still capable of learning if I put my mind to it! More often than not, I am uninterested in learning about new technology, unless I need it to finish a project. Once again, I'm going to blame the fact that I have tech-savvy friends who would rather tackle my computer problems for me instead of watching me potentially mess something up 😅.
Besides not understanding the inner workings of my devices, I still use technology every day. It's kind of hard not to! My main app for communication is Snapchat. I've been using it since July 18, 2013, according to my profile. I prefer it to text because I feel more connected being able to see who I'm talking to and getting glimpses of their lives on their stories. This helps me feel like I can keep in touch with people, especially since I am not one to reach out to catch up with old friends most of the time. I'd definitely say that Snapchat is one of the apps that has made a positive impact on my life. I don't have streaks with many people, but my longest streak is with my fiancé (3,345 🔥 as I'm writing this!). We're quite proud of this streak because it's just a bit longer than our relationship and it happened pretty organically. As for viewing stories, I usually open stories on Snapchat to clear them from my page, but I'm not in the habit of watching Instagram or Facebook stories. I feel like I would get a little overwhelmed since I follow way more people on those platforms.
Another facet of technology I use a little too often is TikTok. This platform is one that I have a love/hate relationship with. I had downloaded this app during the early stages of the pandemic. At that time, it was a platform I used to kill time. I felt like the ability to cultivate my own "For You Page" allowed me to connect with people with similar interests. It gave me a way to see new ideas and types of people I would not have had the ability to be exposed to in regular life, especially since I live in a small town. It allowed for a sense of community to be created. Beyond this, I found myself going down the rabbit hole and scrolling through the short-form content for way too long. My productivity plummeted and I find myself only letting myself access the app when all my tasks have been completed.
Technology is also a big part of what I do at work. I'm a Youth Service Associate, so I'm constantly online looking for program ideas, making media, and looking up books or events on our website. Luckily, everything I do on my computer is pretty intuitive. Our catalog is very user-friendly and most of the time I only have to worry about finding call numbers for the picture books that the patrons are looking for, rather than doing deep dives for research. My favorite website to use at work is Canva. With all the children's programs we hold throughout the year, it's necessary to make flyers and PowerPoint Slides to advertise these resources. I found Canva easy to use and quite fun! I had only used it once or twice before starting this job, but I was able to learn how to create eye-catching media.
I believe my relationship with technology is similar to those around me. I grew up with computers and have seen how far we have come. Being just barely a 90's baby (born in '98), I learned how to use the computer with the staticky, big, boxy screen. Although I have been able to witness the advancements, I never grew interested in learning the inner workings of the devices I use every day. Like I said in my first blog post, I can get what I need to do. I am technologically fluent enough to excel at what I do for work and be able to complete tasks for school but taking on new technology makes me nervous. I am still capable of learning if I put my mind to it! More often than not, I am uninterested in learning about new technology, unless I need it to finish a project. Once again, I'm going to blame the fact that I have tech-savvy friends who would rather tackle my computer problems for me instead of watching me potentially mess something up 😅.
Photo Source: Czechia
Another facet of technology I use a little too often is TikTok. This platform is one that I have a love/hate relationship with. I had downloaded this app during the early stages of the pandemic. At that time, it was a platform I used to kill time. I felt like the ability to cultivate my own "For You Page" allowed me to connect with people with similar interests. It gave me a way to see new ideas and types of people I would not have had the ability to be exposed to in regular life, especially since I live in a small town. It allowed for a sense of community to be created. Beyond this, I found myself going down the rabbit hole and scrolling through the short-form content for way too long. My productivity plummeted and I find myself only letting myself access the app when all my tasks have been completed.
Technology is also a big part of what I do at work. I'm a Youth Service Associate, so I'm constantly online looking for program ideas, making media, and looking up books or events on our website. Luckily, everything I do on my computer is pretty intuitive. Our catalog is very user-friendly and most of the time I only have to worry about finding call numbers for the picture books that the patrons are looking for, rather than doing deep dives for research. My favorite website to use at work is Canva. With all the children's programs we hold throughout the year, it's necessary to make flyers and PowerPoint Slides to advertise these resources. I found Canva easy to use and quite fun! I had only used it once or twice before starting this job, but I was able to learn how to create eye-catching media.
My Most Used Platforms: Snapchat and Canva
Photo Source: Personal Images
Hi Monica! I would 100% be your tech savvy friend! I feel like my friends are always just handing over their problems with technology to me, and I somehow always figure out a way to solve them. As I said in my lasted posts, I usually just play around until I figure it out, which isn't the best way but hey if it works for me! My brother who is your age is the same way with snapchat! He uses it for EVERY way of communication, and I think it is so funny! Just because it so different than how I do it being just two years older than him. I am the same way with tik tok, I need to get off it at times! Do the students you work with create canvas too? Is there an easier way of showing young students how to use it?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing!
Hi Lindsey! Sometimes messing around with something until it works is the best way to learn! I think it's all about how old you were when you started snapchat that effects how you use it. My friends who are my age use it for everything, but anyone 2 years older or younger don't. It's so interesting. I haven't had to use Canva with any kids yet but that sounds fun! They're all so creative already. I'd love to see what they would make.
DeleteHi Teresa! I can definitely see how going from having help on hand to having to work to find help can be difficult. As for Canva, my advice is to click on everything and see what you like. There are so many options available, so I just learned by looking at all of the drop down menus. I think it'll be useful for the website, but I haven't used Canva for that type of work yet!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Monica,
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting statement to make about not being interested in new technology especially when you have been proficient in your job and life using ones you already like. I can certainly reside with that statement in my own life. This year we have a lot of new curriculum that I am trying to navigate and that mindset sometimes poses challenges for myself. However, I do think we are capable of learning given the right guidance, shout out to Professor Zumpano who reminds me to make my post public more times than I would like to admit. I am hoping this week I can manage to do it right. You also said that you are part of the TikTok and Snapchat community and I think that is really great in itself. You are able to communicate in a way that is current, not sure if you remember AOL or MySpace, and you are also able to gain information on a more personalized basis.
I did giggle when you said you have friends who would rather do the work for you. I think we have all been near the end of our patience level trying to figure out how to do something on a device and someone slightly more knowledgeable is able to do a little "click-click" and mystery solved.
I, too love Canva. I think it is a great program for a variety of tasks. There are a few programs that have the same set up, but I think Canva does it better in my opinion. I appreciate your thoughts and insights.