Itec pres 1
- 1. Brittany Leiser Toward the beginning of class, my learning style was described as very low on the active scale as a one rating, and in opposition, my reflective scaling was zero. I tend to lack in the sensing type of learning, but I scored a five on the intuitive scale. I am stronger visually with a score of three; whereas, I lack strength completely in the verbal type of learning. Lastly, my strongest learning style is global with a score of nine, but I scored a zero in the sequential style. At the end of class though, I noticed my grades rise in my classes after changing my studying habits. In addition, I felt that overall, knowing my strengths helped me in understanding my personal relationships and how I approach life. Understanding my learning style will definitely help me better prepare for learning success for plans like grad school and my internship.
- 2. I chose to be a Learning Guilde, so that I could broaden my knowledge of mobile technology. I believe that I was moderately successful in expanding my abilities with an iPad and an iPod. However, I did feel that I could have taken more time to better understand microblogs. I was able to understand more of the usable applications and the utilities of both of these mobile technologies. For example, I learned that I could use either the iPad or the iPod for flashcards as a way to study. Also, I used them to be able to access my professor’s power point presentations or pdf files and used screen shots to easily organize information I deemed important for certain projects, papers, or studying. I did not change my pathway because I felt that there was quite a bit that I had yet to learn about technology.
- 3. In regard to the activities I used that help me get a broader understanding of how to use mobile technologies, I liked using mobile technologies for many purposes. These included screen shooting of pages I downloaded from the internet, specific resources, or helpful blogs for better organizing and working on different projects simultaneously. In addition, I liked being able to use helpful applications for studying as well as playing games I found for study breaks. In order to get a deeper understanding of mobile technologies, having to use multiple different applications and the internet forced me to think outside of the box when planning, completing, and submitting assignments. Using microblogs was the best way to work with other students in order to learn. Collecting comments and gaining helpful feedback instantly improved my ability to communicate via technology.
- 4. I explored my iPod’s functioning and applications by using flashcards to increase my learning capacity. The flashcard application allowed me to better engage my visual and global learning preference styles. For example, the varying colors and font styles as well as the images I included on each flashcard allowed me to engage my memory in multiple ways. The color registered in my mind better than if I just used black ink and neglected to use images. In regard to my global sense of learning preference, the flashcards allowed me to put the central theme or most important fact I needed to know about each individual term I studied. I chose what was most important after sifting through pages of information on each topic. This was the most useful and valuable way to gain the larger picture of importance for each subject.
- 5. In addition, I expanded my capabilities on my iPad by using screenshots and the internet to organize vital information and my school projects. These ways best engaged my learning preferences of intuitive and global styles. In regard to my intuitive learning style preference, the possibilities were endless on how I could possibly use my iPad to organize and look up information. I had the possibility of using many different sites, applications, and many sites in order to gather information and format my papers and information. I could have used my iPad to also record audio notes and attach them if I chose. I also could have used my screen shots to form a rough power point as a way to also organize my thought for my paper by the themes of each screen shot. Having my iPad as another method of a mobile way of learning employ my global preference style of learning in that I can focus on the most important facts and major themes of each of my screen shots. Also, I gather the larger themes of each of the websites I visit and apply the useful information to my papers.
- 6. Lastly, instant messaging, a form of microblogging, was another way for me to broaden my learning capacity for this online class. I was able to interact with other students and receive instant feedback in regard to my work in class. The learning preferences most engaged with this mode of mobile technology is my intuitive learning preference. For example, when I gave feedback to other students on their work throughout the semester, I considered more possibilities that allowed them to consider approaches or other technological modes that they had not previously utilized. Also, when I received feedback, I researched some of their suggestions and not only expanded my own knowledge base, but increased the amount of ideas I had for certain projects. I had one project that included different languages and I had thought of many. However, one student mentioned that I primarily mentioned roman or Greek based languages; I included more tribal and Germanic languages with research and thereafter.
- 7. Out of all the mobile technologies, Ipod interested me most. I felt that even though it is a small piece of technology, the possibilities were endless. I felt that I could not only use my iPod for the applications, but that I could also use my iPod for recording important audio information, as well as other uses. I was most surprised that instant messaging helped so much as a way of learning and engaging with other students. Unfortunately, E-mailing did not work as well due to the fact that I am not very consistent with checking my E-mail or timely with my responses. Lastly, I want to further explore other tablet computers to broaden my flexibility, in that way I do not restrict myself to apple technology and its friendly user interface.
- 8. The iPad was best for engaging most of my strong learning preferences in that it engaged me visually, intuitively, and globally. The iPad had the best of the applications of the iPod as well as the internet, larger interface, better template for organizing papers and information, almost the same access to information and user friendliness as a computer. As for the visual stimulation, the images and font had colors to keep my attention while some of the images moved. Intuitively engaging were the constant and expanding ideas I had of uses for my iPad, including applications, ways to use my camera and recording devices and combine them with notes. Lastly, my iPad played toward my global strength of learning in that it gave me the ability to take screen shots, I focused on themes of the information that I read, and I categorized them by importance.
- 9. With regard to future learning opportunities, I will still be using mobile learning strategies that include visually engaging applications like flashcards or using screen shooting to note important pages of information. In this way, I can look up information, study, and work on school work regardless if it is for this class or another. After considering the possibilities for a future job or career, these learning strategies will greatly support needs and tasks for an office. Keeping myself organized and prepared are going to be essential tasks when taking on larger responsibilities of a company.
- 10. After this class, I probably will continue to use the iPad for learning purposes. I feel that with the iPad it is completely compact, easily concealed, cartable, useful, and very sleek for any occasion. Also, the iPad is convenient for when I travel. I can use the iPad for my future career or job because I can have easier note taking, recording meetings, or for organizing projects and files. I will continue using my iPod as a mobile technology for non-learning purposes, for I like the games and music applications of the iPod. Mobile technologies that I will avoid include some forms of microblogging, such as instant messaging and text messaging. That is essentially the knowledge I gained from this class on mobile technology.