U-Blog 3

Late again! Really late this time! Its ok though - I've figured out a way to keep everything organized, and I'm going to talk about that in this blog. However, I first wanted to talk about a chart that was posted at the beginning of module 5.

The chart is surprisingly similar to my own learning style, which surprises me because I always thought of myself having a unique learning style. The method with the highest retention rate is teaching others or immediate use of the learning. This is definitely how I am, and I would assume it is how most people learn best. Next is practice by doing, which I think partially overlaps with the top one. When your teaching others or using it you're obviously practicing by doing.

The next one is the one that surprises me most - discussion group. I've never learned well in discussion groups, and I'm honestly surprised many people have. Most of the time discussion groups (college anyway) end up being these contrived affairs used in order to get a grade. I don't learn well that way. The next one, demonstration, is also one I learn well by but only if the demonstrations are short; otherwise it loses my attention. I would switch audio/visual and reading under my own personal learning style - however, I don't learn well by either. Finally, lectures, I probably retain the least as the chart indicates for most people. I try my hardest to pay attention but I usually end up losing focus.

Now, as for the way I'm planning on keeping track of my assignments. The problem I had with the current way assignments were posted was there were overlapping due dates between the modules. This required a lot of back and forward in the browser in order to find out what assignments were due. What I've done is created an excel table that will keep track of all my assignments. I can assort them by date or module. I've used conditional formatting to highlight the assignment in yellow if its due within 5 days, or in red if its overdue. This should make keeping track of this stuff easier for me

U-Blog 2:Workshop Brainstorming

I wanted to discuss our brainstorming topic. This is for the benefit of anyone reading who was not able to see my group's discussion. 

One suggestion was to teach the users how to use basic photo editing software. Obviously we would not be teaching them how to use something like Photoshop. However, a simple manager like Picassa would be able something easy to teach and useful for the users. 

Another suggestion, probably my favorite, is teaching the users how to email and to print documents. One part of the workshop would be to walk users through creating a free email account (Gmail, Yahoo, etc). 

Internet navigation and basic security is another great idea. Getting around the web can be confusing for first time users - its completely different from anything most people are used to. They can be taught not to click on popups or give out information on 'bad' sites. Also, basic online shopping can be demonstrated as well.

Finally, basic computer usage is a good idea. The students couldn't do any of the above if they don't know where to find the browser, or how to install a program. Navigation of the Windows desktop and where to find and open programs would be a great workshop

U-Blog 1: Quick Tips for a Senior Friendly Classroom

Note: Realize this is late now - Didn't realize that I had written it and never posted it

In the article "Quick Tips for a Senior Friendly Classroom," the writer goes through many tips useful for teaching an older audience. Many of these tips can be applied to anyone though, so in my opinion its important that everyone in the class read this article as it can affect future training projects (that, and its been assigned to us).

The writer breaks down the learning process into 5 steps, 4 of which are useful when teaching anyone and the last step is useful for teaching anyone with disabilities. There are some specific guidelines under these steps that are useful for teaching older adults.

The writer describes step 1 as creating an environment for learning.  One way to do this is to put students at ease about the technology they are using. I have seen this on a first hand basis: often times adults lament at how easily their children or grandchildren (or great grandchildren) learn new technologies. They say that "an old dog can't learn new tricks." This is absolutely incorrect though, the reason younger people are so adept with technology is because they are willing to try new things without worrying of the consequences. Adults are generally afraid to break something and therefore take precautions that interfere with learning.

Step 2 is to present the information clearly. The most valuable thing I gathered out of that was to avoid using indefinite referents (this, that, it). This is something I do all the time and by the time I am finished speaking its no longer clear what this, that, or it is. 

Step 3 is to keep the students focused. One of the most important things to take out of this is the idea of passing handouts out before the lesson they are relevant to. This is one thing I have admittedly never thought of. It really is a great idea and keeps people from reading ahead and not paying attention to what you are talking about.

Step 4 covers one area that I'm I strongly believe in - retaining information and specifically hands on practice. I've never been a good learner listening to someone lecture about a technical idea but not being able to put those ideas in practice. The article reiterates my belief that hands on practice helps an older adult retain information.

The final step has to do with accommodating physical changes.  I pretty much knew most of this, but I had never thought about the fact that seniors often get colder than younger people and that we should recommend they bring a sweater. 

The article was very useful in explaining ways to train older adults. Despite the focus on seniors though, this article can also be applied to any sort of training with some adjustments