As children we all have big dreams and aspirations. Some mornings you wake up and you want to be a fire fighter, a doctor, a truck driver, a cowboy, a superhero, or any number of other professions that seem downright awesome at the time. As we grow, learn, become educated both in school and in life, some of these dreams and aspirations fade while some remain (I still have not only 1 but 2 capes in my closet, but I’m laying off the spandex in recent years). The reason I bring this up is to take the opportunity to walk down memory lane and take stock in the moments of childhood that we carry with us, that help mold us into the adults we are today, and that we remember fondly.

Being a child that grew up through the 80’s and 90’s, I had the joy of going on a technological journey while growing up, and enjoyed the entire ride.

I can still remember my family’s first “computer”. It was an Atari 800XL with a 5.5” floppy drive, a dot-matrix printer, all hooked up to the best 13” black and white television money could buy. The hours spent playing pole position, pac-man, donkey kong, and lode runner are hours that I will never get back, but I am going to go out on a limb and say that I am more than okay with that. You see, it was not just about playing the games, it was about discovering technology, learning how to navigate the computer language, independent problem solving, and fun. That’s right folks; I was learning and having fun all at the same time. To the 7 year-old, superman costume wearing version of me… this was AWESOME!

As the years rolled on I continued my love affair with technology. The Atari morphed into my friends’ and family members’ DOS based computers, my family’s first apple computer, TI-83 calculators, and so much more. I don’t bring this up to discuss my love for technology, I bring it up to remind you that technology has always been changing, will always be changing, and there are a lot of great opportunities to grow and learn with it.

As I type this very post I have more technology within reach then I could have ever dreamed of as the 7 year-old cape wearing boy. Not only do I have a laptop that would have flat out blown my mind in 1987, I also have an iPad and an iPhone sitting on my desk that have more powerful processors, storage and technology than I could have even dreamed of 25 years ago.

So what does this all have to do with iCreate to Educate and stop motion animation? I’ll tell you.

As our children grow as digital natives, technology is becoming more and more a part of all aspects of their lives. The more we can encourage them to learn through play, challenge themselves to new ways of thinking and interacting, and striving to be creative and successful, the more tools we are giving them. By providing them with tools like SAM Animation and the myCreate app, we hope to encourage students young and old to create, think different, and learn. We also fully encourage fun, spontaneous laughter, the occasional bought of frustration, and epic creations on each and every scale.

When it comes down to it, if we can learn while we play, provide an opportunity to create something new, and make you smile; I think we have captured lightning in a bottle.

So tell me, what do you love about technology? What was your favorite moment or memory of using technology as a child? Share your thoughts and help us all grow and learn together.

Have fun and keep smiling,

Jason