1) The document discusses the results of a learning preferences survey the student took, which found they have a moderate preference for reflective and sensing learning styles. 2) In the beginning of the class, the student chose the "Learning Sage" pathway to gain a broader knowledge of topics. Throughout the semester's quests on different multimedia types, they felt they fulfilled this pathway by learning about blogs, microblogs, screen casts, and gaining a broader understanding. 3) The student found powerpoints, screen casts, and quizzes most useful for understanding how to use technology to learn. Participating in forums gave them a deeper understanding by sharing and receiving feedback.

1. Angelica Geyler
ITEC 299
May 14th, 2012
Synthesis Project: Multimedia/Interactive Learning
(2) In the beginning of the class, every student took a survey which would score them
in each type of learning preferences. From the survey I took, my results were: In the
active/reflective portion, I scored a 5 on the reflective side, which means that I have a
moderate preference for it. In the sensing/intuitive portion, I scored a 7 on the sensing side,
meaning that I also moderately prefer sensing over intuitive. For the Visual/verbal portion, I
scored a 1 on the verbal side which means I'm pretty much divided between the two; I'm both
visual and verbal. For the global/sequential portion, I scored a 3 on the sequential side which
also means that I'm pretty well divided between both. Now we have reached the end of class,
and I think that my results are still fairly accurate. Overall, my mindset towards learning
preference is that there are so many different types that it can be hard to keep up sometimes.
I just do what I know works best for me, and remind myself which learning style it is.
Learning the different preferences doesn’t impact my learning success a great deal because I
usually go with the flow instead of stopping and trying to figure out which learning
preference I’m using.
(3) In the beginning of the class, I chose the Learning Sage pathway. The learning
sage is someone who wants to get a broader knowledge of a topic. I believe that I was
successful in fulfilling this because throughout the semester we had different quests which
were specifically about a certain type of multimedia. These quests helped me learn various
types such as blogs, micro blogs, screen casts, etc. I gained a broader knowledge of each
type, whereas before I would just categorize multimedia as computers, phones, and iPods.
I’ve now learned that it’s range of many things. I didn’t change my pathway, but I can say
that I was probably a little bit of each pathway. I first gained more knowledge, then I gained
an even deeper knowledge, and finally I was able to use some of these technologies to help
me throughout the school year.
(4) In my opinion, the activities that were the most useful in helping me understand
how to use technology to learn were the power points, screen casts, and quizzes. Power
points are very useful because all the information is separated accordingly, and there is the
ability to read at your own pace. If I missed a concept, I was always able to go back and re-
read it to ensure that I understood. Screen casts were also helpful because not only are they
visual, but they also include audio. Many people learn well by being able to read as well as
listen, and I’m one of those people. Finally, quizzes were helpful because they test what you
know. I like that we had multiple trials for each quiz, because that guarantees that we will
know the right answer sooner or later. The part of the quests where we had to answer other

2. peoples questions in the forums is what gave me a deeper understanding of how to use
multimedia technology to learn. With an online class it can be hard to share ideas and ask
questions, so being able to give and receive feedback really helped me learn but I wasn’t able
to learn on my own. The forums also worked best for learning with others. Both of these
ideas tie together. On the other hand, I think that the activities that didn’t contribute to my
learning were the bookmarks and evaluations. If anything, they just cluttered my mind.
(5) Podcasts // The podcast technology quest opened my eyes to a new form of
learning. I knew about TV, videos, and pure voice, but had never really taken the time to
explore podcasts. Podcasts are multimedia digital files which can be shared through portable
media players, computers, etc. The podcasts that I enjoy the most are the ones available on
iTunes. There are plenty of topics to choose from, and even though there is only voice
included, they are entertaining, educational, and soothing in a way. I explored podcasts for
my own learning by picking subjects that I was struggling in and listening to podcasts
relating to them. This helped me because one of my learning preferences is audio related,
meaning that I learn well by hearing things. I was able to clearly hear lectures and had the
option of rewinding or starting over if I wasn’t sure about something. I also learn better when
words are crisp, clear, and there is no stuttering. Podcasts provide me with all of those things.
Ipads/Tablets // I personally don’t own an iPad or a tablet, but I can envision how it
would help me if I did have one. My mom sometimes brings her iPad home from work, so I
was able to get hands own with it and learn about its features. Ipads and tablets provide you
with so many different options. They can be used to browse the internet, create online
documents, download apps that can help you stay organized, flashcard apps, educational
games, and books. I explored the iPad for my own learning by trying out the flashcard
application. I was skeptical at first, but once I tried to use it before an exam, I realized how
truly helpful it was. This technology accommodates all of my learning preferences. This is
because it provides sharp images, engaging tutorials/games, crisp sound, and the ability to re-
do things if I didn’t understand them the first time. The sharp images prevent me from
having to strain my eyes, or take multiple glances at the same thing. The engaging
tutorials/games provide clear information so that I don’t end up wasting any time trying to
figure our what to do. And finally, the crisp sound and ability to go back and retry things
ensures that I am not straining any of my senses or becoming frustrated. All of these things
come together in making me have an enjoyable experience learning.
Screen casts // I explored screen casts for my own learning by creating a little test
for myself. I decided to see whether it was more helpful for me to have a video which
included a presentations and words (screen cast), or if it was more helpful for me to just view
still images. I concluded that it is definitely more helpful to hear words and see images at the
same time. Both work together in helping me engage quicker and understand more fluidly. I
think screen casts accommodate my learning preferences just as well as the iPads/ and
tablets. Screen casts perhaps don’t always have the best video/image quality, but overall it’s
the same idea. Being able to hear crisp words, text, and images all at the same time seem to

3. stimulate my brain a little bit more rather than if I’m just looking at only one thing. The
specific preference that screen casts target (in my case) is the visual aspect. I know that many
multimedia's are visual, but the way screen casts combine different elements into one make it
easier for me to grasp what I’m seeing. Because there are words involved too, if I don’t
understand the plain text in the image, the person speaking may clear it up for me.
(6) The multimedia technologies that interested me the most as learning tools were
iPhones and screen casts. My iPhone is always with me, which makes it an excellent tool for
learning. Applications are also widely available on iPhones. There are games, the ability to
take notes, study with flashcards, etc. The iPhone has endless possibillities in helping me
learn and I have already taken advantage of a few (recording lecture, using the note and
flashcard app). Screen casts interested me because I hadn’t heard about them before this
class. I think it’s great that anyone can make screen casts with websites such as screenr and
be able to share their findings with everyone. It’s a good alternative to youtube videos. The
technology that surprised me the most were iPads and tablets. I always knew they were
extremely high tech, but the amazing thing is that practically anything can be done with
them. They can basically be considered mini computers because they possess all the same
qualities. A technology that I think doesn’t work as a learning tool are bookmarks. It can be
helpful to some, but honestly I think google is just as useful and using bookmarking sites is
just another way of adding to the millions of websites we visit daily. A technology I want to
explore further is games. Games are often confused with mindless forms of entertainment
and violence, but there are in fact games that can help learn. Some examples are puzzles,
word searches, scrabble, etc. These can help you learn words and concepts for specific
subjects.
The social technologies that work the best for my learning preferences are things such
as twitter, tumblr, and youtube. I was introduced to all three of these quite a while ago, but it
wasn’t until now that I noticed how they really fit in with my learning preferences. I like live
feedback, meaning that I can get instant answers. Twitter provides me with just that. If I have
a question, I can simply “tweet” sometimes, and they will get back to me within at least 24
hours. It’s visual (text, pictures), but people can also link outside sources such as music or
videos on youtube. Youtube has to be my favorite social technology. It allows people to
practice their freedom of speech in every way possible. People sing, dance, recite poetry,
speak about politics, show their outfits, etc. Youtube appeals to all of my learning
preferences which is amazing. I remember one time I didn’t know how to convert
measurements, so I looked up a video. This 20 second video did more for me than the teacher
could in 30 minutes. I instantly grasped the concept because it was so straight and to the
point. Finally, my last social technology is tumblr. Tumblr also allows you to express
yourself freely as well as communicate with people all around the world (as do the other 2
social technologies as well). Tumblr allows me to showcase my creativity and free my mind.

4. (7) Multimedia learning strategies that I will continue to use after this class include:
staying organized with notes and perhaps bookmarks, using my phone as a way to keep track
of all the things I have to do, and staying connected with people through blogs and
networking sites. All three of these can be used outside of school in a few different ways.
Staying organized with applications such as iCalander can be extremely useful in work
situations in case of meetings and special deadlines. Bookmarks can help me keep track of
things I need to read or look over at a later point in time. Finally, my phone can be used as a
way to keep track of my schedule and social networking sites can help me learn more about
my coworkers which would enhance my job experience.
Multimedia technologies that I will continue to use after this class are my computer
and iPhone. This is because these two technologies are the most versatile and are all-in-one
types of products. They can be used when learning at a job or outside of school because they
are constantly pushing you to be creative and to think. I feel like these technologies never
have a dull moment because there are constantly being improved, and new tools
(applications) are being added to enhance everyones learning capabilities. These technologies
help me outside of school because they keep me on track with dates and times, and they keep
me updated on what’s to come next. I will continue to use games, twitter, tumblr, and
youtube for non-learning purposes. Even though they do provide the ability to learn through
them, I believe they are more recreational and more for maintaining emotional and social
happiness. The only multimedia technology I won’t be using is an iPod, but that’s just
because I don’t have one. I also don’t think I will be using bookmarking very often, but
that’s not to say that I would never use it at all. Most likely I would use sites such as
delicious to help myself find links, but I don’t think I would take the time to provide links for
the website.