Hello IDSB10,

My name is Stephen Bloom and I graduated a few years ago from UTSC after completing the IDS specialist program. I became interested in international development after a chance occurrence lead to me participating in the Canada World Youth program in Ecuador. The experience with CWY created an infatuation with volunteers programs and I spent several years volunteering abroad and with Katimavik in Canada. Eventually I had to be convinced that there was no way to have a career as a professional volunteer, so I headed back to school. Following graduation I took a position with Africa's Children Africa's Future, a great organization that attempts to keep school aged children in school in Tanzania and promotes AIDS awareness globally. My time with AC-AF allowed for a greater understanding of international development, and that the changing face of the field required a better understanding on my part of gender and technology. Which lead me to this course.

I really am technologically inept. I just bought my first smart phone a few weeks ago, but did so out of peer pressure and really have no need for any features beyond the actual telephone. I do however regard the need for technology and the benefits that proper access to technology can entail. During my time with AC-AF I came to understand that technology along with gender are the central components to the changing face of development. I am hoping that this class will provide for the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of technology, however, I am nervous that the ideas discussed in the course might be a little over my head.

I am hoping interactive class experience, through Active Learning, that I will form a cultural understanding of technology in relation to development.  It seems that having a proper grasp of technology today is as important as understanding a foreign culture. Without a proper understanding of these entities, the ability to conceive developmental possibilities will be severely limited.  With the intention of continuing to participate as a member of the international development world, I will need to really engage the material covered in this class to gain a productive understanding of technology. What is nice about taking a course focused on technology is that I know how truly very little I know. Recognizing this position is actually beneficial because I won’t be able to fool myself into thinking I can coast at any point throughout the semester. Being able to get my hands dirty with activities like the IDSB10's wiki page should really focus the learning potential. Not that reading theory out of a text doesnt have its own benefits. But weekly activities that Active Learning provides seems like a better teaching option. Especially because I am here as a student who has already graduated. This class will not be working towards filling a requirement or towards a degree.  For me this class will be about nothing else than the gaining applicable knowledge.  I just the hope the language and discourse of technology doesn’t leave me with a drowning feeling too often.  That my knowledge is very limited can actually be a positive for the whole class, as I will be the one asking all the embarrassing questions that only the poorly informed have the ability to ask. A strength that I can bring to the class is a perspective that has had the opportunity to work in the field of development. In no way am I an expert, but having practical work experience might allow for insight into some of the class material. I have had the opportunity to work on various projects in all different stages, from conception, to implementation, and debriefing. Some of these projects were successfully implemented, while others turned out to be more learning opportunities. What skills I gained from those experiences I hope will aid the production of knowledge that will be produced in this class.