1. M arg au x
C arp e nte r
S ynth e sis Pro je ct
2. Pe rso nal Le arning
Pre f
• At the beginning of this class I scored a 1 for Active, Intuitive and Verbal learning preferences while I scored a 5 for
Global learning preferences. I still feel very strongly about all my learning preferences and think I exhibit these the most.
However, I am now more aware of learning preferences in general and can identify when certain activities or assignments
require or elicit a learning preference not listed above. Being aware of my learning preferences has definitely helped me
succeed in other classes as I am more internally in tune with information processing and how my mind works.
3. Le arning Path w ays
• In the beginning of class, I chose two learning pathways- learning warrior and learning guide. As the class progressed, I
tended to focus more on the learning warrior pathway. I found it more appealing and more intuitive to be a tad more
introverted in this class. In this way, I found myself to be very successful in finding broader knowledge of mobile
technologies. I found great use out of the flashcard application, and the Screencast technology in other classes the most.
The delicious.com online bookmarking was a huge help in school and other aspects of my work and personal life.
4. Activitie s
• As I stated in the previous paragraph, the Flashcard application for my ipod/iphone helped me a great deal to understand
how to take advantage of all things offered by apple. The technology is so intuitive and self helping. This specific activity
definitely helped me gain a broader understanding of how to use mobile technology as it prompted me to explore other
applications with similar effects. Podcasts were also a great source of information and very helpful for my Political science
classes as I am required to stay updated on current events. The online bookmarking sites were very useful for learning with
others as it was a direct way to share and store information.
5. D e scrib ing m o b ile
te ch no lo g ie s
• The number one mobile technology I used to explore for my own learning was my iphone which doubles as an ipod/mp3
player. Playing with iphone applications helped to favor my active learning preference as most of the ones I downloaded
required me to do some activity as opposed to review information. The iphone can be tailored to all and any of the
learning preferences as there is essentially an application for any and every activity and individual. Again, the flashcards
and other visual styled applications helped to play toward my active learning preference.
• I’d say the second most used mobile technology throughout the course of this class has been the microblogs. I was able to
extract great use out of information found on twitter, tumblr, and the online bookmarking sites. Exploring the world of
microblogs and all the learning substance they had to offer definitely helped to assess my global style of learning. This is
because understanding the style, format and tools associated with each microblogging site helped me to then understand
the next one and ultimately a broader understanding of the microblogging universe came about.
6. S ynth e siz ing &
inve stig ating
• I think the microblogs and podcasts used by way of my iphone interested me the most as learning tools. The technologies
that surprised me the most as learning tools were the microblogs and the iphone applications. The microblogs surprised me
because I had only ever viewed them as a way to vent and express personal tiny quips to the world as opposed to a tool to
use for learning. Iphone applications surprised me because before this class I’ve only ever used them to play games, find
restaurants and other mindless activities. Games and MMOGs seemed to not work as well as a learning tool for myself
because I am not a huge gamer and the idea of playing a game as a fun way to learn did not appeal to me. However, I can
definitely see how this strategy might be useful for other active and visual learners. I am definitely going to continue to
use podcasts and microblogging as a way to improve my learning.
• I think Podcasts helped to work best for all my learning preferences. Hearing a news story or other discussions which I
have already read about in the newspaper or reviewed in class definitely plays toward my verbal style learning preference.
In the same way this combination of reviewed information helps to lock in the concepts and broader understanding of the
discussions. I’d say this is how my global and intuitive learning preferences are being helped by way of podcasts on the
ipod or even on my laptop. The iphone applications definitely helped with my active style learning preferences which
actually prompt me to do a physical activity, interact with the screen, in response to the information being provided.
7. Afte r th e se m e ste r
• I will definitely continue to use microblogging sites in the future. I have had a couple internships where Twitter and
Facebook were used to spread and share information about the benefits of Microfinance and the nonprofit world. I know
microblogs are the future of information technology and will continue to serve me well in any job as well as in the few
classes I have left at SF State. Having information in a more accessible and real time form is the biggest advantage to
learning that microblogs have helped to create for me. I hope to learn more ways and tools to navigate and get the most
use out of microblogs.
• Podcasts and microblogs will definitely be two technologies which I explore after this class in other classes and for
learning. Again, these two technologies’ biggest selling point for me in terms of learning at a job or any other place is the
accessibility of information and in the most convenient form I have encountered yet. I can do everything on my Iphone.
These technologies also open gates to other technologies which can be explored in the same manner and used to my
learning advantage. Ironically, I plan to use these exact same technologies to for non-learning purposes, such as fiction
novels on podcasts and catching up on gossip with friends on microblogging sites. I think I will try to avoid using games
for the sake of learning as well as Ipads as I have not yet given them a chance but think they are completely unnecessary.