The most experience that I have using technology are things that I have taught myself (Word, PowerPoint, XP). I took one class freshman year of high school and that was 7 years ago (gosh that makes me feel old!) so needless to say what I learned then is mostly out of date now, with the exception of the "home keys". I've had to do two PowerPoint presentations but I spent a lot of time getting to knowPowerPoint while doing those so I'm pretty well versed in that. Plus my mom makes PowerPoint presentation for EVERYTHING (weddings, birthdays, meetings) so I was always helping her. I love Microsoft Word and Microsoft Calendar, but other than those two programs and PowerPoint I'm completely in the dark, hence why I am taking this class.

I hope to learn how to actually use Excel. I know all about spreadsheets and such, I just don't see a real use in them. Hopefully I can see what Excel is ACTUALLY used for and also learn how to use it. Also, since this is educational technology, I'm hoping we get to us a program that allows us to track student progress, including grades. It would be cool if that program allowed you to track more than just grades, though (like behavior, projects and such). I'm not too sure what else I expect to learn from this class because I'm not quite sure what we are going to be doing.

This Learning Styles test that we completed was intersting. I found out that I am more active than reflexive, even though I have always considered myself someone who spent a lot of time pondering life. I guess when it comes down to action, though, I figure that talking about solving a problem doesn't really put any energy into solving it. I scored in the middle of sensing and intuitive learners, which makes sense to me because I can learn facts quickly but I also enjoying looking into how everything around relates. Visual and verbal, I sided towards the visual side which didn't suprise me because I've taken a similar test (it only determined if you were visual or verbal, none of the other styles were tested). I'm a reader: I love to read, fiction, literature, nonfiction -- it didn't suprise me at all that I scored a 5 on the visual. The last one confused me a bit: I scored a 1 on the sequential/global. They are so different, I don't really understand how you could be BOTH, but I am. I suppose it makes sense, like with math, I learn very sequentially. If I don't know each step that leads up perfectly, I falter. But when I am reading, say a novel, things come to me in bits and pieces and begin to assemble themselves, like a puzzle. And as more pieces add on to the puzzle, I begin to see the big picture until it's clear as daylight. Who knew you could learn all that about yourself in a quick, 44 question test?