The 20% project was an interesting experience. I was not sure what to expect and really even struggled with what I wanted to work on.
During this project I learned what I am passionate about: seeing the world. I love to travel and I think about going different places all the time. When thinking about this project I just thought about what takes up a lot of my time and travel was the answer!

I learned that there are a lot of apps out there to help me see the world- While in the iTunes app store I browsed through hundreds of apps just in the travel section.

I learned that technology can be both good and bad while traveling- People I talked to pointed out that technology while traveling might not always be a good thing. This opened my eyes to the fact that it could be distracting and take away from the overall experience. I was able to gain a new perspective.

I made a Glogster which is like an online bulletin board. It displays the information about why I chose my topic and gives some information I learned while doing my research. It also gives pros and cons to using technology while traveling.

During my 20% project I had difficulties finding apps that could be used without the internet. Most times while traveling, especially if you are not in a city, internet is unavailable and then these apps become useless.

My 20% project was received well when I presented it in the showcase. People seemed to be interested in my travel experiences and how they could better their travel experiences. I think that people will travel more efficiently now that they have seen my presentation and know about their resources.

My Progress

While researching my question of “How has technology changed travel?” I have learned about the multitude of apps available for phones, tablets, and computers. I would like to know more about each app and what the options are for if you are without internet or cell phone service. I have been in other countries when I have not had internet and at that point, the apps are useless. Technology and travel relates to what we have been talking about in class because technology, when used correctly, should make your life easier. Travel apps and technology while travelling do the same thing.

I think that everyone who travels, whether an hour down the road or across the world, will benefit from my 20% project. I would like to share this information with my friends who travel and also with an app developer because I think my research would be beneficial. An app developer would want me to be very knowledgeable and informative about the topic of technology and travel. I would need to come very prepared.

I think an effective way to communicate my findings would be a Pinterest board because I could share each app I have learned about and give a description. My product is a travel app made of all my favorite things about each app that you don’t need internet for. This way you can use it anywhere, anytime. I will use an online poster to share my product.

A long car ride, whether for something fun like a vacation or something boring like a business trip, can be exciting! The app called "Along the Way- Road Trips Made Better" allows you to see what is around you and all the places you should stop along the way on your trip. Instead of awaiting the next exit sign and possibly missing cool sights or great restaurants, you can plan ahead!
I think this app is great to have because you never know when life will call for a road trip! There have been several trips where I am going just a state or two away but the app would have made the trip much more exciting! I will definitely be using this for future trips. This app has changed travel because now instead of having to read guide books ahead of time, you can conveniently do it as you go.

Interesting Blog Post

This is an interesting blog post I found on how technology has changed travel in many different ways. It includes the topics of communication, trip planning, navigation, finding hotels, the use of money, entertainment, and documenting the trip. All of these are good points, many of which I had not previously thought about.

The Question

The question I am researching for my 20% project is "How has technology changed travel?" Traveling, whether it is to another city or another continent, is something that I am very passionate about. A common thread in all of my trips has been the use of technology. Technology allows for easy communication with friends and family back home, finding new places, and maximizing your options and time while in an unfamiliar place. It provides easier communication between people who speak different languages and allows visitors to get around in a country where they do not speak the native language. When I searched this topic on the Web I found everything I had thought of along with other benefits of technology to travel and tourism. Technology allows tourists to navigate new places with ease using easily accessible maps on their phones or tablets. Overall, what I found is that technology adds a convenience factor to travel and a feeling of safety.