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ITEC 299JANEL SAMUELS

Synthesis Project for Mobile Learning

PERSONAL LEARNING PREFERENCES

After taking the learning preference survey, I found that I scored a 9 in active, a 9 in visual, a 3 in sensory, and a 1 in sequential. With this information I learned that I am an extremely visual and active learner. By the end of this semester, I feel that I have become a little more of a sequential and sensory learner. If I were to retake the survey, I’m sure my scores in those two categories would be higher. Overall, learning preferences are definitely more important than I originally thought. Knowing which learning pathway is most effective for each individual is crucial for personal growth and development. Janel Samuels

LEARNING PATHWAY 

My initial learning pathway was learning warrior. Over the course of this semester I was able to gain a deeper understanding of mobile learning. By completing the iPad, iPod/MP3, Podcasts, and Blog quests, I was able to gain additional knowledge about each technology. For me, the quest that was most beneficial for learning was the one about Podcasts. Although I have heard of Podcasts before, I was not very familiar with the technology. This quest allowed me to not only learn about what they were but also have a chance at using them. By the end of the semester, my learning pathway did not change. I continued to learn about various technologies for my own personal growth.

Janel Samuels

ACTIVITIES

The activity that helped me get a broader understanding about how to use mobile technology to learn would be the use of quizzes. After going through the PowerPoint slides and listening to the audio of each mobile quest, taking a quiz on each technology was a great way to put my knowledge to the test. The quizzes really solidified the information that I had previously learned. By doing the predict, use, and evaluate activity, I was able to get a deeper understanding of how use mobile technology to learn. By actually using the technology myself, I was able to formulate my own opinion of the technology. It also gave me deeper insight on how each technology worked and how to use them. The forum activity allowed me to share my ideas and opinions with others. By commenting and creating forum posts, the class was able to, communicate more directly with others.

Janel Samuels

MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES

I used the iPod/MP3 player quest to learn how they could be used for learning. I explored this by completing each activity posted on iLearn for this quest. I was able to find websites and resources that gave me information on how to use iPods/MP3 players to learn a language. I was able to find audio of French lessons that I could use for my French 101 class. Although iPods and MP3 players primarily accommodate verbal learning styles, they can also accommodate visually through the use of video. By watching a video on my iPod, I would be able to not only see what I’m learning but also hear it as well. By having two separate learning pathways stimulated, it increases my chance of actually remembering and applying the skill that was taught. If I were to rate how well these technologies accommodate my learning preferences on a scale from 1 to 10, I would rate it a 6.

Janel Samuels

MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES CONT’D

I used the iPads/ tablet quest to explore how they could be used to learn a new language. Completing the predict, use, evaluate activity, gave me a chance to see various ways that the iPad/ tablet could be used for learning. By completing this quest, I was able to find different apps that concentrated on teaching French in an interactive way. While accomplishing this, I was able to accommodate my active and visual learning preferences. Using an app that is similar to a game allowed me to visualize the task at hand and also be hands on. I would rate this quest a 10 on how well the technology accommodated my learning preferences.

Janel Samuels

CONT’D

I used the microblog quest to learn how to be more interactive with classmates and students at SFSU. I explored it for my own learning by completing the level three activity for this quest. I created a Twitter for my Health Education course that allowed me to interact with SFSU students. This specific technology accommodates my visual learning preference. By being able to see current newsfeed on my timeline, this allowed me to keep up with my followers and vice versa. I think this technology fully accommodates my visual preference. I would give this tool the highest rating of a 10.

Janel Samuels

SYNTHESIZE

The mobile technology that interested me the most as a learning tool would be the iPad/ tablets. Since the iPad is a fairly new technology I was very interested to find out the ways it could be utilized as a learning tool. The technology that surprised me the most was the microblog. I have had a Twitter for a couple years now and I had never thought of it as a learning tool. Finding out that this technology could be used for something more than just pure entertainment was pretty cool. Unfortunately, the technology that did not work for me was the Podcast. Since this is based only on audio, it was not able to keep my attention. I was easily distracted and wasn't able to learn the task or skill that was being taught. If I could explore any of these technologies further it would be the iPads/ tablets. Since I don’t own an iPad I would definitely be interested in learning about the advantages of using an iPad and possibly purchasing one. I think the iPad would be a great, portable, way to improve my learning.

Janel Samuels

SYNTHESIZE CONT’D

The mobile technologies that worked best for my learning preferences would be the iPad/ tablet and the iPod/ MP3 players. Both quests were able to accommodate two of my highest scoring learning preferences- active and visual. Through the use of apps, I was able to get a better insight on how each could be used to learn different subjects. The apps held my attention and kept me both active and enticed. The iPod/ MP3 player quest informed me about how iPods have the capability of accessing the Internet. This provides a pathway to access informational videos that can be used to learn specific concepts.

Janel Samuels

FUTURE LEARNING

After this class, I will continue to use mobile learning strategies such as downloading educational apps, researching informational videos, and exploring Twitter. By downloading educational apps, they could be used for trips out of the country. It could help translate or teach you key phrases to communicate with natives. Researching informational videos could help you prepare for a future interview and learn more about a prospective company. Twitter can easily be used as a substitute newspaper. Since it is very current and updates in real time, it can be utilized as a way to be up-to-date with current events.

Janel Samuels

FUTURE LEARNING CONT’D

After this class, I will continue using my iPod for learning. My iPod is easily accessible and has endless learning possibilities. It allows me to download apps and access the Internet very conveniently. My iPod can be used for small everyday tasks such as learning a new recipe. The mobile technology that I will continue to use for non-learning purposes would be microblogs. I enjoy using Twitter but since I’ve used it for entertainment purposes for so long, it makes is harder to try and use it for educational purposes. The only technology that I will most likely avoid using after this class would be Podcasts. This technology isn’t interesting enough for me to continue using for learning.

Janel Samuels