The document discusses how the author used various mobile technologies to enhance their learning as a visual and active learner. The author found that their iPhone was useful for flashcard apps and their iPad was helpful for note-taking and accessing visual learning aids. Microblogging through Instagram also supported the author's visual learning style by allowing photo-based questions. Going forward, the author plans to continue using their iPad and iPhone with flashcard and recording apps to accommodate their learning preferences.

1. Mobile learning
iPods & mp3 players, iPads&
tablets, and microblogs

2.  The first technology quest I’m going to mention is ipods and mp3
players, more specifically the iphone, because that’s what I used to
learn. In the past I had only used my iphone to listen to music and
search the web, but after watching the screen cast and taking the quiz
about iPods and mp3 players, I quickly realized that I wasn’t using my
iPhone to its full potential. After coming to this realization I quickly
downloaded many apps that could aid in my specific learning style,
which pertains to being a visual learner. I substituted my iphone for my
laptop because it was so much lighter and more convenient to carry
around all day at school. Another advantage to having my iphone was
that I downloaded a few flash card apps that helped me study more
often due to the convenience of having my iphone with me at all times.
I benefit greatly from using flashcards so I downloaded an app called
flashcards+. I was able to study while in line at the grocery store and
other places that I found my self waiting for something.

3.  Ipads and tablets is the next technology I used to enhance my
learning. Since I’m a visual learner who learns best by what I see
such as pictures, diagrams, flow charts, time lines, films, and
demonstrations using an ipad became a perfect solution in place
of my laptop. My ipad is the perfect combination between my
iphone and laptop. The main reason is because it’s portable,
customizable, has a long battery life and media ready. I also love
the onscreen keyboard! I began to use it to take notes because it
was much faster than taking notes by hand. I was also able to cut
and paste pieces of my notes to organize them better. I also
liked that I could print out my notes. Similarly to the iphone I
could download apps to help with understanding the content of
my classes. I used this feature to look at visuals for my anatomy
and physiology class, specifically the Netter app.

4.  The third technology I will mention is microblogging.
Microblogging allows people to write brief text updates usually
around 200 characters and sometimes allow for the option of
posting pictures. Microblogging has become very popular is the
last few years. The popular ones are twitter, tumblr and
instagram. These are just a few of many more. Personally I only
use instagram on a daily basis. Instagram is a micro blogging
app that has to do solely with uploading a picture, editing it and
adding a text caption. Surprisingly I used this app a few times this
semester to share a photo from my anatomy textbook looking for
a reply from one of my classmates on specifically what muscles
were pictured. Again this form of technology caters to my learning
style of being a visual learner by being able to use photos to
learn.

5.  The technologies that interested me the most as learning tools was the
iphone and ipad. This is because both allowed me to study more efficiently.
My iphone provided me with the option of making flashcards convenient at
all times due to carrying my phone with me 24/7. My ipad allowed me to take
more efficient notes. I was able to take down more information than just
handwriting my notes. I was also able to multitask with the extra time saved
on typing my notes by pulling up visual on the Internet of the topic I was
taking notes on. I also found many apps that assisted me in becoming a
better and more organized student. I didn’t have to constantly organize a
binder. Using the iPad I was able to use an app called Course notes to keep
my notes organized and separated by subject. The app even allowed me to
use a stylus to draw graphs or accompanying pictures to help me learn, very
helpful when you’re a visual learner. There are also thousands of other apps
that could be used such as flash cards or quiz apps that can assist students
based on their learning preferences. iPads and tablets also allow you to surf
the web so you have access to endless information with the touch of a
finger. On my ipad you can also record audio or video, which can be useful
for presentations or recording lectures.

6.  I began recording each of my lectures in my anatomy and audiology
class so that I could review each lecture over and over again. This
pertains to being an active learner because Sitting through lectures
without getting to do anything physical but take notes is hard for
me. That’s why I record the lecture; I do it so that I can draw visuals
based off of the lecture or look up visuals. I can multitask and know
that I can always refer back to my recording if I can remember a
topic. My ipad accommodates my learning preferences perfectly. It
is a tool that I do not think I could live without. Since I am an active
learner it’s nice to be hands on with the touch screen of a tablet and
the interface keeps me engaged and interested in the material I’m
learning.

7.  I will personally use visual and active the most after leaving this
class. The learning strategies that I will continue to use after this
class pertaining to being a visual learner are using visuals such as
diagrams, sketches, schematics, photographs, flow charts, or any
other visual representation of course material. The learning
strategies I will continue to use pertaining to being an active learner
are recording my lectures. I have to be hands on with the material
I’m learning in order to retain it all. I have already used some of
these learning strategies outside of school in my personal life by
downloading an app that helps with budgeting my paychecks. I
have found a better solution to budgeting that allows me to be
hands on imputing every dollar that I spend.

8.  My ipad and iphone are the two technologies that I will continue
using for learning after this class to get a better visual of what I’m
trying to learn. I will continue using the flash card app on my iphone
to learn parts of the body in neuro next semester. I will also use my
ipad to take notes so that I can accomplish more each class period
by being more efficient. I will use the voice memos app to record
my lectures in the future. Most importantly I will walk away from this
semester with an understanding that there are so many more ways
to use the pieces of technology I own to better my learning
strategies and aspects of my personal life. I will probably avoid
micro blogging after this class for learning because I wasn’t very
successful using it. Although I do love using it in my personal life in
the form of instagram!