Supermen!

Technology has really taken off in my lifetime. Seems like only yesterday that I was earning my BFA and writing all of my papers on my mom's portable Smith Corona manual typewriter. Back in the days before computers this meant that I would have to actually know how to spell everything (horrors!) or look it up in the dictionary. If I made a mistake I could not simply backspace to make corrections, I had to get out small rectangles of correct-a-type and painstakingly line the paper up with the corresponding hammers. Copies were made with carbon copies, there was the mess of typewriter ribbon (which always got tangled up) and typewriter paper was precious and hard to come by.

All this of course was only after I wrote every masterpiece by hand on legal pads complete with crossing out, arrows to redirect my thoughts and dirty, ink stained hands as a testament to my diligence.

It was a lot of work!

Then when I went back to college to get my Master's Degree I discovered the joys of the computer. I had a little laptop that I would bring with me everywhere. I wrote papers sitting at the dining room table, downstairs at the bar and sitting in the kitchen. I was still not comfortable writing ON the computer so I continued to write everything out long hand and then type it. (I have gotten over that.)

Through all this I learned a thing or two about the computer. Today I am happy to report that I am pretty computer savvy; on both a PC and a Mac. (I hear you snickering Joy, be good!) However, my progression has been a slow process. I still have mouse issues - not as bad as when I used to pick it up to direct it but I do run out of room on my desk sometimes when I am attempting to drag and drop. I am a product of my age.

So are the children I teach. They amaze me that without any formal lessons they are so adept at accessing knowledge. They watch and learn. I have students who come into the room, drop their bags and bop around on the computer like it was second nature. They know just where to find fun computer games, search for pictures or access email. My friend has a four year old daughter who knows about tool bars, right clicking and minimizing.

These kids are impressive.

The other day we celebrated a birthday in class. The theme was Superman. The boy's father brought in toys and gifts for all of the children which included Superman masks. They are kinda freaky but the kids really seemed to enjoy them. Anyway, at the end of the day three boys took it upon themselves to record a short imovie. Which I have included for your viewing pleasure.



See what I mean? Freaky but really cool that they did this themselves. Great skill for three seven-year-olds and great enjoyment. I wonder how far technology will have advanced by the time they are my age.