Technology
Technology can be described as the use of science in industry, engineering, etc., to invent useful things or to solve problems (Merriam-Webster.com n.d.). Having had a 25-year pause in my education, I still struggle with some technological devices, such as computers, smartphones, and the projectors at school. I am glad that Western Washington University stresses the importance of technological proficiency since we are expected to have basic knowledge of programs such as powerpoint, word and excel among others upon admission. During my time at Western, I have been able to develop new technological abilities that will help me throughout my life. Addressing the ISTE National Educational Technolgy Standards and Performance Indicators for Students, I will give examples of my journey through the Human Services Program and the importance of technology within it.
1. Creativity and Innovation
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression. In HSP 303, Human Services Professionals and Interpersonal Systems my dyad partner, Tawny and I created a Prezi presentation; Tawny and Maria's Dyad Years in the Making (Appendix P). The assignment was to analyze our dyadic relationship, and we decided to have fun with it. For our first time creating a Prezi presentation, we were as creative as possible. We used props and were silly but also explored what it is to be in a relationship or small system with another person, a dyad. This presentation gave us satisfaction, laughs, and an excellent grade.
2. Communication and Collaboration
a. Interact, collaborate and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media. In HSP 315, Human Development, and Human Services I was part of a group whose task was to create a powerpoint presentation about infancy and childhood development (Appendix Q). Together, the members of the group and I created a powerpoint presentation into which we imbedded pictures and for the first time, the hyperlink to a video on Youtube. It was something that older students such as Eric Huenefeld and me had not done before. The result was a smoother transition between topics and media sources.
3. Research and Information Fluency
b. Students locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions. In HSP 385, Applied Research Methods I put together a Research proposal paper (Appendix B). In this paper, I included peer reviewed scholarly articles found online through the Western Library as well as information from websites that covered my topic of identifying risks to elder self-neglect. I analyzed the information found and used it to describe further the ethical implications, possible application for a study like this one and describe any limitations that may compromise the findings. Currently, the convenience of personal computers and technology can make our life easier if we know how to distinguish reliable information from useless claims.
Digital Citizenship
a. Students advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology. A large portion of our learning occurs in Canvas through Western's website. Canvas is an online learning management system in which professors post lessons and promote forums for academic discourse. Merriam-Webster defines Netiquette as "the rules about the proper and polite way to communicate with other people when you are using the Internet" (Merriam-Webster.com n.d.). It is imperative to be respectful when participating and to be mindful of the way we word our responses because, without verbal intonation or body language to support our words, they can be misunderstood. It is my obligation to uphold my rights and responsabilities as a digital citizen.
Technology Operations and Concepts
d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies. During my first quarter at Western, I learned the concept of the online Capstone Portfolio, which was something entirely new to me. One of our assignments in HSP 304 Portfolio Learning in Human Services was to learn something new. I chose to take an online introductory course to Excel, which has been helpful for other courses in the Human Services program. Also in HSP 304 I was able to describe the process I use to gather supporting documentation for my portfolio. I also detailed the plans I had to produce a quality Capstone portfolio. My Capstone Portfolio Planning & Organization Essay (Appendix R) can attest to that. In it I describe my use of a USB memory stick and use of the Student Guide to Capstone Portfolio within the files in my computer to reinforce the creation process of my portfolio.
Throughout my two years in Western's Human Services Program, I have increased my technological proficiency while discovering the technological applications used in academia, media, marketing, and everyday life among others. I feel more prepared for the next step in my life as a graduate student.
References
International Society for Technology in Education. (2007). Standards for students. Available from: http://cnets.iste.org/students/s_stands.html
Merriam-Webster (n.d.). DIctionary: Netiquette definition. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/netiquette
Technology can be described as the use of science in industry, engineering, etc., to invent useful things or to solve problems (Merriam-Webster.com n.d.). Having had a 25-year pause in my education, I still struggle with some technological devices, such as computers, smartphones, and the projectors at school. I am glad that Western Washington University stresses the importance of technological proficiency since we are expected to have basic knowledge of programs such as powerpoint, word and excel among others upon admission. During my time at Western, I have been able to develop new technological abilities that will help me throughout my life. Addressing the ISTE National Educational Technolgy Standards and Performance Indicators for Students, I will give examples of my journey through the Human Services Program and the importance of technology within it.
1. Creativity and Innovation
b. Create original works as a means of personal or group expression. In HSP 303, Human Services Professionals and Interpersonal Systems my dyad partner, Tawny and I created a Prezi presentation; Tawny and Maria's Dyad Years in the Making (Appendix P). The assignment was to analyze our dyadic relationship, and we decided to have fun with it. For our first time creating a Prezi presentation, we were as creative as possible. We used props and were silly but also explored what it is to be in a relationship or small system with another person, a dyad. This presentation gave us satisfaction, laughs, and an excellent grade.
2. Communication and Collaboration
a. Interact, collaborate and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media. In HSP 315, Human Development, and Human Services I was part of a group whose task was to create a powerpoint presentation about infancy and childhood development (Appendix Q). Together, the members of the group and I created a powerpoint presentation into which we imbedded pictures and for the first time, the hyperlink to a video on Youtube. It was something that older students such as Eric Huenefeld and me had not done before. The result was a smoother transition between topics and media sources.
3. Research and Information Fluency
b. Students locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.
4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making
c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions. In HSP 385, Applied Research Methods I put together a Research proposal paper (Appendix B). In this paper, I included peer reviewed scholarly articles found online through the Western Library as well as information from websites that covered my topic of identifying risks to elder self-neglect. I analyzed the information found and used it to describe further the ethical implications, possible application for a study like this one and describe any limitations that may compromise the findings. Currently, the convenience of personal computers and technology can make our life easier if we know how to distinguish reliable information from useless claims.
Digital Citizenship
a. Students advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology. A large portion of our learning occurs in Canvas through Western's website. Canvas is an online learning management system in which professors post lessons and promote forums for academic discourse. Merriam-Webster defines Netiquette as "the rules about the proper and polite way to communicate with other people when you are using the Internet" (Merriam-Webster.com n.d.). It is imperative to be respectful when participating and to be mindful of the way we word our responses because, without verbal intonation or body language to support our words, they can be misunderstood. It is my obligation to uphold my rights and responsabilities as a digital citizen.
Technology Operations and Concepts
d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies. During my first quarter at Western, I learned the concept of the online Capstone Portfolio, which was something entirely new to me. One of our assignments in HSP 304 Portfolio Learning in Human Services was to learn something new. I chose to take an online introductory course to Excel, which has been helpful for other courses in the Human Services program. Also in HSP 304 I was able to describe the process I use to gather supporting documentation for my portfolio. I also detailed the plans I had to produce a quality Capstone portfolio. My Capstone Portfolio Planning & Organization Essay (Appendix R) can attest to that. In it I describe my use of a USB memory stick and use of the Student Guide to Capstone Portfolio within the files in my computer to reinforce the creation process of my portfolio.
Throughout my two years in Western's Human Services Program, I have increased my technological proficiency while discovering the technological applications used in academia, media, marketing, and everyday life among others. I feel more prepared for the next step in my life as a graduate student.
References
International Society for Technology in Education. (2007). Standards for students. Available from: http://cnets.iste.org/students/s_stands.html
Merriam-Webster (n.d.). DIctionary: Netiquette definition. Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/netiquette