As I near the end of my first Master’s Degree class, I find that everything is a bit of a blur. Eight weeks have passed by so quickly. I was not sure what to expect as I began this journey, and I must say that, although I have learned to do some new things, I’m still not clear on what this journey will entail.
Before this class began, most of my technological skills consisted of email, typing parent communication and worksheets for kids in Microsoft Word, making movies in iMovie, storing and editing photos in iPhoto, downloading tunes to my iPod, doing an occasional Power Point Presentation for my kindergarten class, and playing a CD and/or DVD every now and then.
In just eight short weeks, I have learned how to create a web site for my classroom and keep it current, started my own blog, had online chats, responded to posts by other classmates, sent several emails to professors, registered and paid for classes online, and become familiar with the ins and outs of the APU website.
I’ve run into some obstacles along the way, like not being able to do any of the Adobe Assignments because even though it is a universal application, the free download doesn’t work on a Mac. With help and some additional software, I was able to solve the problem. Since I struggle at times with dyslexia, and never have been a very good reader, I had trouble reading the downloaded text book pages on the computer screen. I did not want to waste paper and/or ink, so I refused to print them out. Within a few days of playing around with the system preferences on my computer, I discovered I could use universal access, choose a voice I liked, and simply read along while “Vicki”, my new computer voiced friend, did all the reading for me.
Because I am so social, I discovered that I don’t like taking classes online. I was glad I did not have to drive to Murietta, but missed getting to know classmates face to face. I also feel as though I have missed out on important information because I was not there for all the conversations that took place in class.
One thing I found through beginning this whole process is just how much I don’t know about technology. I learned what Bluetooth is and can’t wait until Fall when I will purchase my new laptop and printer with Bluetooth capability. I learned Google is not the only search engine out there and found that Vivisimo is my favorite. I have had many opportunities to share what I have learned with friends who teach, and they now have expressed an interest in starting a Master’s Degree program as well.
I know this has just been the beginning and realize things will get a lot harder as new challenges arise, but I look forward to learning more as I tackle my next class in the Fall.
