Post Four

Learning Module 4 Blog Post

Learning module four only had a few assignments, but each of the assignments were really fun, interactive, and allowed us to be creative. All of the students in the Web Technology class, including on-campus and online students, came together to share ideas on tools that could be used in future semesters of the class. I really liked that each of us were able to share our opinions on what aspects of the class we liked, and also suggest new ideas to be used in future classes. We did all of this through Google Docs, a web tool we learned about earlier in the semester. After learning all about Google Docs and what it is capable of, it was really awesome to see it put to use, allowing every student to contribute to a page that, in the end, was full of new and smart ideas. I also liked the fact that this assignment allowed us to choose what we liked best out of the course, and also be creative by challenging us to think of new ideas for future classes.

The second project we did was by far one of the most fun projects I've done for a college class. A lot of times in college you are forced to write a paper, read a chapter, or take a test. But through my experience, many times the information leaves students' minds shortly after the assignment is completed. Instead of being assigned some sort of a standard educational tool such as tests, essays, and reading, we were assigned to create a Glog. I never heard of Glogster before and I expected the assignment to be a bit complicated. I was surprised to discover that Glogster is extremely simple to use, and also very fun. It is really neat that you are able to start from a blank slate, choose something you wish to make a Glog about, and watch it come to life as you literally design a fully interactive display that people are able to take part in and learn from. Glogster is definitely one of my favorite tools and I'd like to see it be used in every class! If I had to present something to a class, I'd much rather make a Glog than a Power Point. I feel that because Glogster is so interactive, and that you're not just writing the material into bullets or paragraphs, but actually designing a layout that displays your material in a creative way, it is much easier to retain the information. All teachers should take advantage of this tool. I'm really glad I have a class that allows me to do something like this. 

Another thing I would like to comment on is the Facebook discussion group. We've been having discussions on Facebook as a class now since the beginning of the semester. In the beginning, it seemed like everyone was doing the discussions as required and I'd feel safe saying everyone thought it was a cool activity for the class. But now that we're into our sixth discussion, it seems like people have really opened up and everyone is going beyond the requirements. It's pretty cool seeing that I am mentioned in someone's post. I can check to discussion group, and respond to that person, not only from my computer, but from my iPod as well. It really makes it easy to do the homework. It's not that the homework is easy or that this class is a breeze, believe me, I've definitely put in my fair share of work to get good grades in this class. But the fact that I can check in on our discussion group anywhere at anytime is really cool. It makes the homework feel less like homework, and more like talking with fellow students and friends about topics covered in class. It's kind of like if everyone were to meet in the lunch room, sit down, and have a good time discussing all of the different types of technology we learn about. Facebook discussion groups are a great thing I'd like to see in more classes. (One class that comes to mind in particular is philosophy class. Imagine all of the ideas people could share through discussion groups, class blogs, and Glogs.) I also feel that the more we use discussion groups, the more information you are able to learn, and the better you can do in the class. 

Even though this module wasn't a long one, only consisting of a few assignments, a quiz, a discussion group, and this Blog entry I'm currently writing, I never felt bored with it or that the class reached a low point. All of the assignments were really fun, the discussion groups are a great thing I wish every class had, and even the quiz wasn't so bad, because everything on the quizzes we take has to do with the tools we implement in the class assignments. This is really such a well-balanced class, easy to learn from yet able to retain a level of difficulty, enough so that when you complete something and get a good grade, you feel not that it was handed to you, but that you earned it. If all classes were like this, I don't think there would be any excuse for anybody not to do well. College shouldn't be a walk in the park, nor should it be an impassable obstacle. This is a great class because when you apply yourself, you do well. That is how college should always be. If every class were like this, more people could succeed and  accomplish so many more things during their time spent in college.