NDA Senior Reflection Series
Week 5 – Josie Shriver ’15
Technology in our world today is constantly evolving and changing. As a freshman, three short years ago, it was mandatory for me to take a class called InfoTech, where I was going to be taught by Mrs. Mullee, who is the technology director. Now that I think about it; I think she changed the school. Going into the class, I just thought I was going to learn about the different applications that the computer could offer me. As I got more into the class and more into the year, I learned so much more than just a couple applications on a computer. I learned how to use technology to change my way of thinking and broaden my technological knowledge. I learned the importance of learning more about technology and sharing my knowledge with the rest of the world. But the minute I stepped out of that class, I was again weighed down with textbooks, notebooks, binders, and pencils. It was this year that I found how much I loved to learn about technology, and I became really interested in it and joined the Students Working to Advance Technology (SWAT) team.
As a sophomore, Notre Dame decided they were going to implement the 1:1 iPad Initiative, a phrase that I had never heard of until that point. In other words, the whole school was going to have iPads. I remember being so excited about this big change in my school environment. Now, instead of being weighed down with all of the supplies I had to have sophomore year, I would have all of my applications and tools to increase my learning in one machine. Notebooks and binders were replaced with an app called Notability, and pencils and pens were replaced with styluses. It was quite the change, but I am so happy that I got to experience this critical change in NDA’s history.
As I have gone through my years at NDA, I have become more equipped with technology. I can see now that it has made the classroom easier to learn and appreciate learning through the many different applications it offers. Technology is not limited to auditory or visual learners; it includes all forms of learners and makes understanding different concepts easier. Because of my newfound love for technology, I am hoping to work in the technological world when I start to study in college next year. I know that my passion and love for technology will not fade but will continue to expand. No longer am I the girl at the back of my InfoTech class who claimed I didn’t know a thing about technology. Now, I am hoping to educate other people and expand my knowledge of it as well.