As far as my experience with technology is concerned...it's not very extensive. I know the basics such as word, works, power point, a little bit about excel, how to use the internet, e-mail, facebook, and was just recently introduced to the world of myspace. A bit behind the times I know, but you would just have to know me and how strict my parents were in high school to understand why. I am very well versed in most photo editing software...I love pictures...so that's about the only thing you will find me playing around with on the computer. I myself get frustrated easily with computers so I tend to stay away from them at all costs, but right now, ironically, I am rather thankful for them. Computers have allowed me to keep in touch with friends I have parted with, but also my family and fiance who mean the world to me...so I guess it wouldn't hurt to get better acquainted and acclimated to computers, seeing as how they have helped me out a time or two.
I really want to become more knowledgeable about Microsoft excel...I used the application for my biology lab this past semester and it enabled me to do a LOT of really cool things that made making graphs and tabulating calculations a whole lot easier. I am also pretty excited about learning how to create my own website...despite my occasional hatred for computers...they really allow you to put yourself out there and to connect with so many other people...and I have come to find that life can be so much easier depending on who you know or who you meet. People are a wonderful resource and the internet is becoming an important key in establishing those connections. I am also looking forward to becoming acquainted with the gradebook software. I think this will really benefit later on when I actually become a teacher. For a change I actually feel like I am going to be learning a lot about things that are relevant to my future career and that is very promising!
So far I have found that the initial instruction on how to work a website, set up a blog, etc. is in fact helpful...but I think I am not fully able to grasp the concept until I get into the program and explore it myself. I've always been more of a visual and hands on learner, so this class should be perfect for me. Not only are we shown how to use the software...but we get to "play" with it to. Instead of just having an idea of how it works, I am going to be able to jump in there and do it myself...yay for intro to education technology :]
