Module 10: Mobile Devices

This module was all about using mobile devices in the classroom. This includes learning about apps and the devices they can be used on.

Mobile devices and apps are a necessity in any future career for me. I use my I-Phone for practically everything, from paying bills to playing games. 

The biggest challenge about using apps with mobile devices is doing the research needed to get the right one. I think there is an app for practically everything. The one big challenge that I've had is installing apps on my desktop computer. I'm not quite use to doing that but I'll get better with practice. There are sometimes issues with compatibility so it's basically trial by error. 

Module 9: Interactive Whiteboard Technology

I had a difficult time with this module and I'm not sure if I did my project correctly. We covered Promethean and Smart Resources.
I used Power Point for my project. The activeinspire through Promethean would be great to use in setting up lessons for teens that are transitioning from youth to adulthood. The Smart Resources could also be used.
There are several downloads and resources with these technologies; and it can be overwhelming. They take up a great deal of time but that probably gets better when you have more experience.

Module 8: Visual Learning

I enjoyed this module. We covered Photostory, Pinterest and Wordle. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to get Photostory or Wordle to work on my computer.
These technologies could be used in my line of work for training videos. I hope to one day have a career helping kids as they age out of foster care. I would love to make more videos like the one I did for this module that could be used for presentations, etc.
One challenge that I experienced was not getting some of the software to work properly. This is something to think about for all technologies. Photostory seemed easy to navigate but could only be viewed the size of a postcard. Wordle looked like it would be great too but I could not get it to work on my computer either. I have had a Pinterest account for several years. It's such a great place to store ideas, quotes and pictures that you can use in various media. There are so many apps that you sometimes forget to use it. That's the biggest challenge.

Module 7: Virtual Learning

This module was tough. We learned about skype, weebly and bigbluebutton.
Skype could be used for meetings with co-workers and supervisors. Weebly could be used to create a website for myself. Bigbluebutton would be great for discussing big projects with several people involved.
Usually meetings with my supervisors are done via phone calls or facetime. I could definitely initiate meetings with my co-workers but not with my supervisor. At this time, I don't need a website since I just do contract work. I would love to use something like bigbluebutton if I was in charge of a big project but the challenge would be getting everyone else on board.

Module 6: Collaboration

This module was fun. We covered several technologies this week. Among them were dropbox, teamviewer and popplet.
I am already familiar with dropbox. I have an account and use it as a backup for work and personal photos. I have used it to share work documents with supervisors and co-workers. Teamviewer would be very helpful in my line of work. Our office in Lafayette has recently had to use some type of platform like it so workers can access the main server remotely. I think popplet could be useful when beginning a big project. Careful planning in the beginning can save time and money.
Dropbox has not been used lately because our company switched to it's own FTP. Dropbox has become obsolete in regards to work productivity. I personally have no use for Teamviewer but it would be very useful for companies like the one I work for. I'm not sure popplet would be well received in my line of work. It would have to be done off the clock.

Module 5: Evaluation and Assessment

This module covered technolgy from Quizlet, Activity Learn and Quia. 

In the past, I've had to hire abstractors during the height of the Haynesville Shale boom. We had people with different types of experience and some with no experience. If faced with the situation again, I would develop a test using Quia to determine how to utilize a certain person's skill set. I would set up remote learning through Activity Learn for all that need it. Finally I would help each person set up study tools through Quizlet to help them learn.

I'm not sure this technology would be feasible in my line of work. One would have to use their free time to set everything up. When the oil business is booming, there's only "on the job" training.

Module 4: Multimedia

This module was a monster. There was so much information and it overwhelmed me at times. If I weren't social distancing, I would get my 13 year old grandson to come help me. I learned so much about using multimedia. The more I worked with it, the easier it got.
We covered several types of technology including youtube.com, slideshare.com and animoto.com. I used animoto for my presentation this week.
I think this type of technology could be very important in my line of work. The company I work for is in Lafayette so I never see most of the people I work with and mainly get instructions through email or via phone calls. It would be so helpful for a supervisor to create a video that gives instructions on a particular project.
I think the biggest challenge would be getting the right personnel trained to create these videos.