I was really surprised

As mentioned in my introductory entry below, i am from Kenya and for those who have no idea where Kenya is, i will just say it is in the eastern part of Africa. For those of us who love wild animals and white sand beaches, Kenya would be a good choice. OK, that will do for a quick update in Geography for now. Until this week, i didn't know of the existence of an international body called ISTE that is responsible for setting standards of Educational Technology.

Until i came to the U.S. to go to college which is less than eight years ago, i was not used to computers in the practical sense, ...well, i took a computer class while going to college in Kenya, but it was all theory. Thank God most colleges have since acquired some computers just for those taking computer as their major and a few more for all the students. When i came to the U.S. to go to college, it was really hard trying to learn the basics of a computer let alone using it for my school work. It took me a whole semester trying to figure out how to survive with all my coursework all of which required the use of a computer. As if that was not enough, i took IT as my major hoping to maximize on the opportunity to learn more about a computer as one of the vital technology tools in the educational system. In other words if you don't learn technology when still in college, you are more than like not going to be able to do so after college and consequently, in whatever it is that you plan to do in your career it may prove really challenging, at least in the modern world.

The standards laid down by ISTE are great, but i will frankly say they don't apply in all the countries, or at least not in the Kenyan educational system. There are some learning institutions in Kenya that know technology only in theory. However, some of the private educational institutions have started introducing computer learning as one of the elective courses offered, but one has to pay extra to be enrolled. After the challenges that i went through trying to fit in the U.S. educational system, i decided to put my children in a private primary school where computer learning is offered, at least to be more considerate and responsible as a parent. I know little about the U.S. school systems, but i will consider myself really fortunate to be at ETSU. I think the technology is up to date and i hope as an administrator later when i go back to Kenya, i will visit ISTE site more often now that i am enlightened.