As far as I can remember, my elementary school always had computers, although I don't remember specifically when I first was able to use them. When I did eventually gain access to them, the computers were used for several different things: accelerated reader tests, typing lessons (from about 3rd grade on), and various other projects such as creating word documents and PowerPoint projects. We would go to the library once a week with our classes, but I also went during silent reading time to take my accelerated reading tests, which lead to points and prizes. More than anything else, I remember my school's librarian snapping her polish-clad talons and saying, "File, print, save!" whenever class time came to a close. Later in my education, computers were available on carts that were delivered to classrooms and were used to work on papers, research, and group projects. Like in elementary school, though, my most vivid memories regard the inconveniently short battery life of the computers more so than what we actually did with them.
From what I recall, my family always has had a computer. In the 90's, my dad was very interested in the up-coming technology and eventually went on to start a career in computers, so my house was usually pretty much on top of the technology bubble as I was growing up. I remember playing CD-ROM computer games before using the Internet, but as I got older, the Internet took center stage, especially because of the higher demand in my classes. I would probably estimate that I spent at least three hours every week doing some school-related task on the family computer, so regardless of whether or not computers had been present in my schools, I probably would have still emerge from public education as a computer literate individual. This is especially true in the sense that I am a member of the Facebook generation - my upbringing would have had to be drastically different for me to not be knowledgeable about computers.
