Poverty & Education

There are many families all over the world that is living in poverty and this is something that can be very harmful to a student and their education. As college students, we often overlook other families and students who are struggling to get by day to day but sometimes, it is important to take a step back and remember that there are people who are struggling, and try to think about what you can ultimately do to help, even if it is a small act of kindness.

Over this winter break, I am going to volunteer for 2 weeks in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic to help work in a classroom and teach children English. These young students are living in poverty and do not have the same educational experience as we do here in the United States. I think a lot about these students as we are taking a course on learning with technology, when there are some students out there that are not even able to afford a notebook, never mind learning how to use technology. I hope that someday we can shatter the cycle of poverty so that all children and students can be able to get the same learning experience as everyone else.

My Experience with Technology

My experience with technology when I was growing up is much different than it is today. When I was in elementary school, I do not remember using computers until I was in about 4^th grade. There were a few computers in the library when I was in 4^th grade and once I reached middle school the next year, there was a lot more technology.

When I entered middle school in 5^th grade, there was much more computers in the library and we took library classes and were taught how to use them as well as learning how to type. I remember when I was in 7^th grade and our class was introduced to the schools first Smart Board and we all thought it was the coolest thing ever. Throughout middle school we continued to learn how to use technology.

After middle school, I started attending a small private school as a freshman in high school. At this private school, they knew a lot more about technology than I did from the school I was coming from. Everything was done on laptops including all of our class work and it was sort of like a mini version of Blackboard. I became very informed on how to use technology in the classroom and my teachers were really aware of how to use this technology as well.

When dealing with technology, I want to be able to teach people how to do certain things appropriately and the difference I will make is to know exactly what I am doing if I am teaching people what to do.

What Brings Me to SNHU

There are many different reasons for what brought me to Southern New Hampshire University. But the main reason I decided to come to SNHU is because I felt like this is a place where I could call home. As a senior in college now, I realized that this university has become my second home and I could not be happier to attend such an amazing school. My journey into EDU 235 is a bit confusing. Coming into college, I was an elementary education major for the first year until I decided to change into communications. I still believe that someday I would love to become an elementary education teacher but for now I am interested in teaching higher education. I am declaring a minor in education this year and that is what brought me here to EDU 235.