Reading Language Arts

For the next few months I will be posting various academic questions, and then giving my answer, please feel free to comment with your thoughts as well.

Question to Ponder:

How is Reading Language Arts different today than when you had it?  Did you have technology in elementary school or was it more traditional?

I was never actually ever taught phonics or reading or anything like that in the school setting. From what I remember, my mom taught me everything at home, and the rest I just picked up on my own. I don't remember learning language arts much. I started Kindergarten over in Sweden at an all Swedish school, so naturally there would be no English phonics taught there, at least not at the beginning. I do remember, though, having an English class, but by that time I was able to read and write because I would go and read a book while the rest of the class learned English. 

I don't remember ever having technology in elementary, except maybe to watch a movie or listen to music while we worked. Most of my elementary experience was very traditional. I don't remember much about it at all.