Newspapers and sales ads covered the floor, which reminded me of my first real experience with technology. I took a job at the local newspaper as a proofreader and occasional writer as a way to earn some extra cash while attending college. I eventually worked my way into the society department where I became a feature writer and editor responsible for writing stories and inputting them into a computer. We called it a data processor back then. The only typing instruction I received was from a high school introductory course, and I don't remember doing very well.
Our editor was a tyrant, and right around deadline, he would enter the newsroom. His very presence was enough to make you shudder even though he only stood about 5 feet 4 inches tall. He snooped around making sure that everyone was working, and that neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow would keep the presses from running on time.
Unlike today, computers weren't a household staple. I think we had Atari, and my senior research paper examined "The Disadvantages of Video Games on Kids," but nothing like today's high tech. I picked up the data processing at the newspaper pretty quickly. The "computer" consisted of a CPU, monitor, and keyboard - not even a mouse! I can't remember if we used disks, but I believe the information went to a computer in the back where it was printed out in hard copy for the paste up department.
I'll never forget the morning I found a new talent in speed typing. One of the reporters was working on an article, and there seemed to be some kind of hold-up on the story, which meant the press was going to run late. The editor stormed into newsroom and pitched such an awful fit that I vowed then and there that I would never be the target of his fury. I do believe my typing speed increased at least twenty or thirty points just in that day!
I went on to take Introduction to Computer Programming in college and gained a newfound respect for those who call computer programming their job. My experience with computers in that class was most unpleasant. It wasn't until I became a teacher that I began to realize the benefits of technology. I started out by allowing my gifted students to use computers to create projects. Most of them were already using computers or at least interested in them, so I decided I was going to have to jump on the bandwagon, too. Then I began to experiment with some of the programs myself, and from there I was hooked. Now I do everything I can on computer from calculating grades to designing presentations for my classroom.
Go To Page: 1 2
