The year was 1990. My grade 6 class lined up noisily outside Room 201; the girls discussing in detail exactly why Joey McIntyre was hotter than Jordan Knight (it’s the eyes!); the boys trading juvenile insults they had heard on The Simpsons the night before. Our teacher hushed us with an annoyed glance, and we quieted instantly, for fear of the dreaded detention – or worse, 100 lines.
I will not cause a disturbance in the school hallways before class.
I will not cause a disturbance in the school hallways before class.
I will not cause a disturbance in the school hallways before class.
I will not cause a disturbance in the school hallways before class.
The door opened and Mr. W, the intermediate gym teacher – and now the computer lab supervisor – beckoned us into the classroom. Desks were arranged in a “U” along the perimeter of the room; on every other desk, a personal computer. (And at any given time, at least two with an “Out of Order” signed taped to the monitor.)
“Pair up!” Mrs. B declared. “Find a partner and take turns using the word processing program.” I sighed as I realized that my regular computer lab partner was ill, so I’d have to team up with Frank. Yeah, him – he thought he was so cool because he had a computer at home – the only student in the class lucky enough to lay claim to one. So, he typed with a vengeance, attacking the keys with his two index fingers at an alarming speed of 22 words per minute.
I slumped down beside him as he double-clicked on WordPerfect 5.1, the only program loaded on the computer aside from Paintbrush. Click, click, clickity click… I looked at the clock on the wall, willing the minute-hand to fast forward to 3:30pm. I hated computer lab. When would I ever have a need to type out random sentences on a big white box?
Those are my first memories of using a computer. Looking back, I realize that my elementary school’s “computer lab” – a old lunchroom that had been re-purposed as IBM central – was nothing more than a collection of out-of-date machines that had likely once belonged in a bank or customs department. And, our sole purpose for using the PC was to learn how to type. (Because hey, us girls would all grow up to be fine secretaries.)
That was 1990. And today, while little girls can be anything their little hearts desire, sadly, the computer lab situation in elementary and high schools still has its share of challenges.
Staples Canada recently conducted a survey of teachers, and found out that more than half of computer labs in Canadian public schools are outdated by over two years (57 per cent) and almost one in five schools lack computer labs at all.
Now I absolutely LOVE this: To help ensure that students have the tools they need to succeed, Staples Canada is running a contest in collaboration with Earth Day Canada to donate computer labs, valued at $25,000 each, to ten (10) elementary and secondary public schools across Canada. The program is a part of the company’s 2013 Recycle for Education Computer Lab Contest. And, to thank everyone for entering, Staples will donate $25 to Earth Day Canada for every school that submits an essay.
Watch:
“We live in a tech-driven society and students in elementary and secondary public schools spend nearly six hours in computer labs every week,” said Steve Matyas, president of Staples Canada. “Having the latest technology in schools has never been more important, and we’re very proud to bring back this popular contest.”
To enter, one student from each Canadian elementary or secondary public school can submit a principal-approved 500-word essay on how their school has become environmentally responsible. Students can submit their entries at Staples.ca/RecycleForEducation, or on the Staples Canada Facebook page. Winning schools will be announced in early April.
So here’s the deal. If your child’s school is sorely lacking in the technology department – and has been a friend to the earth – why not enter for a chance to win? There are 25,000 reasons you should bring this to your child’s (or school’s) attention… and when we recycle for education, we recycle for our future.
This post was sponsored by Staples Canada. The opinions on my blog are my own.
This is exactly how I remember my first memories of using a computer..except not comparing NKOTB, but ‘NSYNC and Backstreet Boys haha
Hahaha then I must have at least 10 years on you Mandy! :)
Oh my goodness, this post seriously made me think back to when I first used the computer.. It’s hilarious! We would get all excited to use the computer just to use ‘Paint’…
Ah, Paint – though I think we called it Paintbrush back then. I can remember using the spray paint tool simply to colour in the screen – I was so artistic, LOL!
Totally made me think back. How things have changed!
Indeed! And, when we consider that we use our phones as computers now – mind boggling!
You brought me all the way back to computer lab!
Oh the memories.
Glad I could take you on a trip down memory lane, Tania!
Oh wow! That brings back my own blast from the past! Eeep! :-)
It’s pretty crazy how far technology has come over the years – it surprises me how computer savy kids are these days at such a young age! It is a shame that all schools aren’t able to keep up with that fact due to lacking computers!
So true, Suzanne. That’s why I’m particularly thrilled with Staples’ contest – I’m sure 10 very deserving schools will be so thrilled.
That is awesome…great idea Staples!! PS- I was a Donnie Wahlburg fan…..The bad boys were always my favorite.
Oh Jenne, I never really had a thing for Donnie… now his brother Mark? That’s another story, ha!
I graduated in 1986 so the computer labs we had was memorizing the inside parts of computers and things that went through one ear and out the next. I did well but only because I memorized what I needed to know for tests, not because I understood anything. We typed on typewriters, I surely don’t miss those!!! The first computer I saw was one that my mother had bought, I remember thinking why would she want those. You could barely do anything on it, play one game I think. How times have changed.
I applaud Staples for what they are doing, with the way things are now, kids really need computers in their classes!
OMG – memorizing things that went into the computer? All of a sudden I had a flashback – doing a quiz where we had to identify the floppy disk drive, keyboard, etc… LOL!
I too am giving Staples a standing ovation. Wonderful initiative and what a way to give back!
Your post makes me realize how grateful we should be to have the computers we do have available at my sons school.
Although classed as an ‘inner city’ school (meaning challenged with many issues), they have made sure the kids have a portable computer ‘lab’ of laptops and Ipod touches the classrooms share. Its funny to see little grade 2’s using Ipods when I didnt even own a compter until my late 20’s!
That’s so awesome to hear, Lisa. Having up-to-date technology in the classroom is critical to successful learning.
Thank you Staples! When you realize the fast pace of technology and the slow pace of school $$ this is a great program.
It really is – I’m so proud to stand behind this program and share the news with you all!
Recycle for Education; Recycle for Our Future
– reminds me of my past when I was learning on one of these,
– and reminds me of what we should be doing with old technology today
That’s right – recycle it!
That is a great idea. everyone should get a feel for the advancing technology
Couldn’t agree more, Joann!
lmao omg lena i am only 1/2 way through and have to pause to laugh bc i remember all of this so well!!! word perfect – aye aye aye!!
LOL – I know, right? When I was growing up Wordperfect was THE program if you wanted to type anything!
Oh gosh, I had a mega serious crush on Jordan Knight, ah, what a smile!! My locker was plastered with his pics, I was a tad bit obsessed! Great initiative by staples, it would be awesome if more companies would follow in there footsteps. All students should be given the opportunity to be educated with the proper tools in this tech savvy world..
I’m with you Binder – I wish more companies would fall in their footsteps too! And although I was a Joey McIntyre girl, I agree, Jordan had a great smile :)
We always had to ground ourselves before we even touched the computer. And back then computers hated me! They always froze or stopped working. Oh and trying to make that darn turtle move by using MS DOS prompts and what have you. Oh, have I dated myself? hehe!
Oh my! Okay, the grounding yourself part totally made me chuckle! And the DOS prompts? Too funny!!!
20% of schools don’t have computer labs? That’s crazy! Even our little elementary school had a pretty good one when I was growing up… I loved computer time!
Great program!
Shocking, isn’t it? That’s why programs like this are so important!
Exactly the same experience – right down to the NKOTB!
Hahaha Amanda, too funny!
Its amazing how Old I actually am! Remember using this in Computer class which I failed Hahaha!
Oh no! Well, since you’ve likely used a computer to submit that comment, looks like you got the hang of it eventually :)
Thanks for sharing this. Good to know!
You’ve very welcome Caitlin!
Way to go Staples! This is a great contest, I know so many school will benefit greatly from this.
Indeed RubyRed! Happy that they’re creating such a great opportunity for so many!
Hello, Lena. I am happy to hear Staples is making an investment in our communities with this contest. It is a great opportunity and everyone has a chance to win 1 of 10 prizes. I happy to hear about companies helping others in a positive way.
I love everything about your comment, Michelle! You are absolutely right :)
Haha I can’t believe you remember those things!! The post brought up so many elementary school memories for me.
I love this initiative — I only hope that in addition to the merit of the essays, there is some consideration for the schools’ need for such a generous donation.
Victoria, I actually didn’t really remember them until I heard about Staples contest. Then all the memories came flooding back!
The good news is that Staples will be publishing the essays, so we can see exactly how the school has helped the environment!
Oh my goodness, I do feel old…computers in school?? Who would have thought?? I remember grade 10 typing…I thought these electric typewriters were the future man!!
LOL well they might have been… except for all those geeks who changed our lives forever!
Wow this post brought back elementary school memories of the tiny little apple mac’s with the floppy disk drives. I remember getting a hold computer later on and having to fight over the phone line and our dial up modem hahaha
Haha great memories Tanya!
LOL OMG not to sound like Frank… but In 1990 i asked for a typewriter for Christmas because i liked to write, well my Mom worked for IBM and they got employee discount on a computer – Christmas morning i was DEVASTATED!!! What the heck was i going to do with this big greyish white box, my mom assured me i could type on it and it would spit it out through another greyish white box and i could save anything on a flat square thing with a whole in the middle – ARG Where was my Electric Typwriter, where was the sound of the keys hitting the paper, what if i made a mistake, how was i going to white it out??? lol WOW
HAHAHA this made my day! Thanks so much for sharing your memories Chantelle!
I recycle my old electronics, they have a local drive every few months and at the same time you can take in your old batteries and CFL/Fluorescent blubs