Today, let's chat about using data collection and tools such as Excel, the topics I found most beneficial, and some topics I am itching to learn next!
Let's dig in! My experience using Excel was very easy and enjoyable. I thought that the expectations were clear and tangible for a successful learning experience. Looking to my future career, I doubt that I would ever use a survey tool, similar to Qualtrics. I don't think that I would ever have a need for collecting that much data. Next year, I will be serving in an Executive position for a Registered Student Organization at Florida State University. In that position, I could see myself using Qualtrics to gain insight on the students' point of view, quickly. I can easily send the link to a group and within a few minutes, I could have just that. I see myself using Excel in the near future for collecting and formulating grade point averages, etc. in my future classroom. If I were to teach at an upper level, with excess assignments assigned to students, Excel would be a great way to quickly keep track of those assignments. This would increase the organizational aspects as a teacher and would be used in addition to the school's online portal.
This semester, we have explored so many topics as a class. Every week I look forward to reading my classmate's blogs because a lot of us have similar views on the tools and resources used in class. I appreciate it when my classmates are honest yet respectful when adding constructive comments and responses to my own blog posts. The topic I enjoyed reading about most was the blog posts regarding our trips to TechSandbox. I got to experience this with about ten peers, but I got to read about their experiences as well. Some of the things mentioned I did not think about nor discussed at the moment, but was able to reflect on it afterward. Everyone related the tools in TechSandbox to their ideas within their potential classrooms and it was neat to see the unique thoughts and ideas that stemmed from that.
We bounced from technology tool to tool throughout the semester, from Diigo to Microsoft Excel.
Although this is all great, I wish we had started with a more basic learning with computers. I have found that a lot of students, including myself, are not proficient in Microsoft or Apple computers. Having to use Microsoft computers in the lab drove me crazy! I have no idea how to open an icon, etc. which would've been beneficial to learn prior to beginning specific tools. At this point, I am not sure how I can achieve this goal but I do know that just by practice, I can become more proficient. This practice is for sure being done at my apartment's computer and the library computer, although these are only done for last minute assignments. I recommend that the first week of this Educational Technology course be focused on providing tutorials on the computers we will be using. Could be beneficial in increasing success throughout the remainder of the semester!
Alright... the time has come! Goodbye EME 2040. It's been a fun semester. You will be missed.
Peace,
Michaela Goldstein
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