Chapter 3

In chapter 3 we were introduced to the essential components of computers. Chapter 3 dealt with both hardware and software basics, how technology has changed and certain issues that can arise with both kinds of technology. We also learned about many different kinds of memory storage devices such as now out of date floppy disks to popular pen drives. With the passage of time, technology has advanced by leaps and bounds, making the organization and presentation of classroom material more technologically dependent. Learning about floppy disks and then pen drives has opened my eyes and made me realize that classrooms will never go back to the day where everyone just got a textbook and technology played but a small part in the daily lesson. Technology will only keep advancing and continue to play a more intimate and dominant role in the classroom.
Much of the material covered in chapter 3 I either knew or vaguely recognized. I use many of these memory storage devices on a daily basis so I am all to familiar with their capabilities and issues. I have heard the term RAM before but never quite realized that it referred to the amount of memory on a computer. Many classmates of mine comment about how they need to buy more RAM for their computers. Until now I never really realized exactly what it was that they were talking about.
The information about DVDs, CD-ROMS and other storage devices was definitely helpful. Although I have been using these kinds of technologies for quite some time, it was good to be refreshed on how they work. I did not realize that some information storing devices could only be recorded on once and never again. I will be careful in my future classroom to watch out and be cautious when using that kind of technology. I would not want to run into a situation where I need to record something for a lesson plan, and then be out of luck because the device I chose to record it on was already full and could not be erased.