My Technology Integration Level

                 Today’s technology level in schools is much more advanced than when I was in school. When I was a student in elementary school, the only access to technology that I had was to watch videos on a TV or projectors, or a once month trip to the computer lab in.  I loved those days because I was really intrigued by computers and all manners of technology. At home, we had an Apple computer but we were not allowed to use it because it was just for my parents. They used it for work and it was very basic.  When I got to junior high school, we had a full semester in the computer lab. Unfortunately, we might have used the computer 10 times the whole semester.  We spent most of our time spent in class taking notes and learning about computers.

            It was not until I was in high school that I actually spent a lot of time on a computer. My teachers required that our papers be typed. Therefore, I spent a lot of time on our home computer as well as the computers in the school library. I also played games on our home computer such as Where in the World is Carmen San Diego, Oregon Trail, and Jeopardy. We did not have the internet so I knew nothing about getting online.

            Now that I am an adult, I have made it my goal to learn as much as I can about computers and other new technology. I have to admit that my knowledge is basic. I just learned how to use PowerPoint because of the class that I am currently taking. I know that I need to find out more if I want to be a librarian. My basic knowledge will not cut it in that tech-driven career.

            I think that my biggest challenge becoming a librarian would be acclimating myself to tech tools that I have never used before.  I admit that my research skills have vastly improved, but I am still leery of some of the technology that I will have to use on a daily basis.  I would have to have extensive knowledge of how to use databases, enough computer knowledge to help patrons use computers, not to mention knowing how to use the many different tools that they use to take care of books, audio, and visual material.  That can be very daunting to a person at my skill level. I hope that my peers will help me to learn the different tools correctly.

            Being a librarian is a lot of hard work and it challenges the mind.  I am looking forward to the challenge and the chance to learn new things.  My desire to learn is my biggest asset going into this new career and I will use it to my every advantage. What I do not know I will ask my coworkers to teach me or do what I do now, research how to do it. I am confident that my desire to be a librarian and to learn will help me succeed in this career field.