Assignment #3

Emily Walker

For our most recent assignment we were told to take both a Cognitive inventory test and a Learning style test. The first test I took was the cognitive inventory test. I found this test on a website called “Personality Pathways”.

The cognitive test that I took was an abbreviated version of the Myers Briggs test. The test basically breaks down your personality into four segments: introverted or extroverted, sensing or intuitive, thinking or feeling, and judging or perceiving. My result was: INTP, meaning that I tend to be more introverted, intuitive, thinking over feeling, and perceptive. I feel that the results for me are pretty accurate. I have actually taken the Myers Briggs test a couple times and always seem to come out with the same result. As a teacher this information could be useful for a number of reasons, for example, an introverted teacher would probably prefer teaching an online class. As a student, these test results could be used to help me determine that I would probably do best with classes that require one on one pairing when doing group projects. I also need to have a theoretical understanding of concepts in order to grasp and even really retain information.

URL for my Cognitive test results: http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html#Inventory

The learning style test was a little different. I found the learning test on a website called “How To Learn” .

The test is comprised of 36 questions and you must choose check the boxes next to the questions that you feel apply to you. The purpose of this test is to determine your learning style. The idea is that everyone falls mainly into one of three categories: visual learner, auditory learner, or kinesthetic learner. Here are my results: 30% - Visual Learner
 34% - Auditory Learner
 34% - Kinesthetic Learner. It seems that my learning style is fairly balanced. I believe this makes me fairly lucky. Theoretically I should be able to learn in many different settings without much struggle. I suppose I think these results are fairly accurate because I think I am able to learn in many different environments with ease. This test seems like the most useful of the two tests in relation to learning and teaching. This information can help teachers understand how to get through to their students more efficiently and fairly. Teachers being aware of their own learning style could be useful in raising their awareness in getting through to their students. This can also help parents and students understand what works best for the individual student. This information can be helpful throughout the student's educational career.

URL for my Learning test results:

http://www.howtolearn.com/cgi-bin/score.pl

Assignment 1

I don’t personally have much experience with teaching or helping in schools. My work experience has been in the hospitality industry (restaurants and most recently spas). I do, however, have experience with training and teaching various computer programs to employees.

As a student, while in elementary school through high school, I saw technology used to enhance teaching and learning in many ways. It was used in libraries, learning games (Oregon Trail) and during classes as a teaching tool to make subject matter come to life for students. Since I have been out of school, educational technology has definitely grown.

Educational technology, to me, is the utilization of computers and other mechanisms to assist with the teaching of students. This is such an important field as the world is becoming more and more technology driven, and only makes sense that it should be used in educational arenas. When students leave school they will continue to use technology in their day to day lives, making it important that they are given a solid technological base in school. Teachers are competing daily with many forms of technology while trying to get through to students with short attention spans. The role of technology in education is as a tool for both teachers, who are transmitting information and students who are receiving information at a rapid rate. Technology in education gives teachers and students a boost by making teaching and learning more efficient and productive.

Some older teachers may be less comfortable or familiar with the use of computers and technology in the classroom which might discourage their use of classroom computers, etc. To be most effective several different methods should be used in teaching. Students should not be limited to using computers for learning. It is important for information retention to encourage students to engage with their class as physically write information down. The use of technology in society has definitely grown over the years. Many children have cell phones and most have been using computers since they were babies, which makes it more necessary to offer technology in the classroom.