Technology in the Elementary Classroom

Three writing spaces I find myself using the most are my computer, pencil and paper and my cell phone…surprise surprise. I use each of these writing spaces on a daily bases and can honestly say that I would not be able to function normally without them.

My laptop is basically my entire life in a 15” piece of metal and plastic. Not only do I use it to compose papers and complete homework assignments, but I also use the online communication websites Facebook and Twitter numerous times a day. To compose papers and assignments for school I use various programs in Microsoft Office such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I consider the Internet a writing space as well because I type e-mails to professors and classmates, type messages back and forth to friends on Facebook and update my status on Twitter, which all involve writing and communication.

Although I use my computer to complete the majority of my formal school work, my 5-subject notebook is just as important. I use pencil and paper to jot down notes during class, write informal class work/homework assignments and compose a daily “To-Do List” that keeps my brain organized (I am VERY forgetful). Because I am left handed and tend to smudge ink all over the paper, I stay away from pens and insteadprefer colorful and fun mechanical pencils.

Lastly, my cell phone is a very, VERY important writing space I use every day. I rarely talk on the phone and probably send and receive somewhere between 50 and 75 texts a day. I know, it sounds crazy but texting is much more convenient for my college student, on-the-go lifestyle (especially because the only time I have to talk on the phone is while driving, which is currently illegal in the state of New Jersey).

Remediation occurred when word processing was invented and (sadly) pencil and paper were pushed to the curb and given the name inadequate, messy and slow. Typing a paper on the computer is faster, neater and one can easily erase anything by pushing the backspace. Writing a letter is no longer needed when one can simply compose and send an e-mail in the span of 2 minutes or less. In most classrooms, students are able to type their notes on the computer and print them out later rather than copying everything onto paper. Technology is taking over and in the future…pencil and paper will be a thing of the past.