About the Course

Prior to my experience in EME 2040, I did not understand the importance or the complexity of the educational technology field. My initial idea was that educational technology was a very specific field that basically only has to do with how courses are structured using applications such as canvas. Now that I have taken the course, I understand that the field is very broad, and expands well beyond what we think of as “formal education.” Any digital content that can convey important information in an effective way and is engaging for the user falls into the field of educational technology. With how rapidly technology develops, there are constantly new types of educational technology that are introduced, and it is important for students, employees, and business leaders to adapt to these changes, and use them to their advantage. There are many components to educational technology. The digital divide is one important concept that shows that not everyone has equal access to the possibilities of new technology. This divide prevents some very bright individuals from maximizing their potential. Another important aspect of educational technology is digital design. There are many underlying aspects to digital design of apps, websites, programs, etc., and these cannot be overlooked. Another important component of educational technology is engagement and user-friendliness. It is important for a user to feel connected with technology so that a valuable educational experience is had. The field of educational technology continues to develop, and I am thankful that I have a better perspective on it as a result of this class.

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In this course, I gained a lot of crucial experience with technology that was very necessary for me to be more skilled in the usage of technology in the future. I learned how to design my own projects using apps such as photoshop. I learned how to organize numerical data using google sheets. I learned how to present ideas in a structured way using google slides and Microsoft PowerPoint. I learned how to access scholarly resources using a library database. I learned how to tell stories using apps such as PowToon and iMovie. More importantly than all of this, I was faced with challenges that forced me to follow instructions carefully, and persevere when I was struggling to navigate through an unfamiliar program. I had not had sufficient experience in the past facing these sorts of challenges, and I am grateful for the lessons that I learned during my process of trial and error. Mistakes can be more valuable than success, because making mistakes forces you out of your comfort zone and forces you learn lessons the hard way. That is ultimately what this course achieved for me: it highlighted a lot of my weaknesses when it comes to my technological capabilities, and I am better because of it.