When I first signed up for the class ESEPSY 1159: Online Learning Strategies and Skills, I honestly wasn’t expecting that I would learn as much as I have. I am always using multiple forms of technology, making it second nature to me, which led me to believe that I already knew about anything I would need to know when dealing with the Internet. Although I had this attitude when first beginning the class, I am extremely happy to be able to truly say that I have learned a great deal from this class.
The world that we live in today is becoming more and more dependent on technology and the Internet at an alarmingly rapid pace. The dependence we have on technology is mind-blowing when you think about how little time it has been around, and the advances being made to technology are truly changing the world. Our dependence on technology and our burning desire to continuously improve any aspects of it that we can show me just how important it is, and also reminds me of how big of a role technology and the Internet play in our everyday lives. Since the Internet plays such a big role in my life outside of my classes, I believe that it should also play a big role in my academic life because of the never-ending options it allows me.
The most beneficial thing I have learned through the course of this class would be all of the strategies and tips to better online searching, which helps lead to much better research. This class has also introduced me to many different web-based tools like info graphics, mind maps, timelines, Google docs, etc.. This class not only described how to use these tools and when, but it has also given me resources that have allowed me the option to create my own graphics. These resources have been a tremendous help outside of this class too, and they have allowed me to have a learning platform for all of my classes that suits me better then just plain text. Those are just a few of the things I have learned from this class, but I will definitely continue to utilize the tools and knowledge mentioned above, as well as continuing to use information I have learned from other aspects of this class.
Through this class I have not only learned about helpful online tools and web-based skills, but I have also learned a little about myself. I have learned about the most suitable learning styles pertaining to me, and also about other things I am good at and other things I need to improve upon. I can now use the information gathered about my learning preferences in order to tailor my experiences in my classes in a way that will be as beneficial as possible to me. I am now fully aware that I am an active learner, a visual learner, a sensing learner, and a global learner, which allows me the option to make sure everything I do corresponds with my learning styles so that I can perform to the best of my abilities.
The most meaningful experience to me from this course would have to be all of the skill builders that taught me beneficial skills about many aspects of online learning. The skill builders forced me to really pay attention to the activities I needed to complete, which has ensured that I not only know about all of the new skills and strategies from this course, but I also know how to apply each and every skill or how to use all of the tools and resources. These skills and tools will continue to play a role in my life by ensuring that I am absorbing and utilizing any information that will be important for my success now and for my success in the future. I am now well adept when dealing with web-based tools and resources that enable me to use technology and the Internet to the best of my ability.
The Internet plays a vital role in my academic life, and because of this I believe it is very necessary for me to be able to gain as much knowledge as I possibly can on the numerous tools and resources online so that I can ensure I am utilizing all of my resources in order to maximize my potential for academic success and for success in the future. The information from this class will allow me to utilize technology and the Internet to the best of my abilities, which is extremely important to me because I am aspiring to be an Industrial Engineer and to create/develop software for Tech companies in order to further better the world we live in and to improve anything dealing with technology. I will use the information learned from this class in the future my ensuring I incorporate it into anything dealing with online learning. I will take the skills and strategies I have learned and apply them to my life, inside and outside of my classes, by using them anytime I find that they can be particularly helpful. I will also continue to build on the skills learned from this course in an effort to continuously improve my web and technology use, and I will pass on any strategies I find to be beneficial to anyone who is eager and willing to put in the time and effort needed to put these skills to use.