I graduated with my undergraduate degree in 1990 and never needed any technology except for a typewriter and a basic calculator to complete my education. I did not get a personal computer until around 1998. My husband was in the military and  getting ready to deploy to another part of the world. Getting connected to the internet and setting up an e-mail account made it possible for us to communicate on a daily basis. Before the internet and e-mail communication, military personnel and their family would have to go days or weeks between phone calls or letters. Regular communication made the long deployments much more tolerable. Now with facebook and twitter, I have almost instant communication with most of the important people in my life. It has made me feel more connected and less isolated even when I have not seen someone for along time in person.

Another way computers and the internet in particular has changed my life is through the easy access to medical information. There have been innumerable times I have had a concern about some kind of symptom I was experiencing or my children were experiencing. I just start researching it on the internet. It has saved me hours of time trying to get to a doctor and probably lots of money. By researching things on the internet, I can see if I really need to see a doctor or if there is a home remedy, I can use. Of course, you have to use common sense and care, when dealing with medical issues. But, I know this is one way computers have changed my life for the better. One time in particular, I began having foot pain when I would run. After some research I realized what most likely was the problem and started doing some stretches that were suggested. The pain cleared up. Some people end up needing surgery for this problem. I really believe, because I was able to get the information I needed quickly and start stretching correctly, I avoided that.

The third way computers have changed my life is by giving me the opportunity to further my formal education. When I found out there was an online program that would allow me to become the teacher I always wanted to be, I was thrilled. As a full-time employee and mother of 4, I don't think there is any way I could attend graduate school in the traditional way. Online classes make it possible to juggle all my responsibilities and still prepare for my future. 

Computers have certainly changed my life and the entire world. They are a remarkable and powerful tool that can keep us all communicating, give us the information we need, and prepare us for a bright future.