Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Assignment 1

The extent of my technological background is fairly basic. I grew up with a family computer, on which I knew how to instant message my closest pals, play typing games, and send an e-mail; usually just to my dad. As I got older, I knew the basic things. I could turn on my television, plug in a movie or dvd, and work a digital camera. Once I received my own laptop for college, it was my responsibility to start learning all the ropes. I had no idea that I was going to have to monitor my security settings, wireless internet, and email all at the same time! I'm the type of person who likes to watch something then do it to learn it, so I've picked up a few tricks of the trade along this technological path.

In this class, I really hope to learn more in-depth skills about the internet, powerpoint, and all of the other useful resources available to me, especially for when I become a teacher. I hope to learn more efficient ways to complete tasks, and ideas for making lessons more visually enticing. I especially hope to learn my way around the internet, better than I already do. The internet is so full, probably beyond my comprehension, of resources and information available to me and I hope, through EME2040, that I am able to quickly find what I need and more.

Today, I learned that I am a kinesthetic and visual learner. As stated before, I am an active learner. If a teacher tells me to do a task, I tend to ask questions in order to make sure that I will be performing the correct operations. I don't necessarily have to know exactly how to do the task when I'm doing it for the first time, but after doing it to learn it, I tend to force myself to practice the task until I have conquered it. People say that the best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else, and I completely agree. I find that explaining things to people helps me to master whatever skill it is that I am teaching (for the most part). Like Mr. Gentile, I need complete silence when formulating or processing words in my head. When I read or write papers, I tend to isolate myself in order to get the job done. I find it very interesting that each person has a different learning style and that teachers work to accomodate everyone.