1. Synthesis Mobile
Learning
Annie Ng and Michelle Lee

2. Learning Preferences
Annie : At the beginning of the class when I first took the learning
preferences survey, I scored a 9 for reflective, a 5 for sensing, a 5 for
visual, and a 3 for sequential. I’ve always liked to work alone since it
gives me time to brainstorm and think things through thoroughly
before I contribute my ideas. Because I’m so meticulous, I also get a
better grasp at things when there are detailed pictures
involved, such as diagrams, and when there is a logical step-by-step
process. With these four combined learning preferences, I think
that is why I find installation manuals interesting. I like following the
numerical directions and finely labeled diagrams that will lead me
in the right step towards completing the project. At the end of the
class, I feel that I haven’t strayed too far away from my original
learning preferences however, I have improved a bit as a verbal
learner. SInce we’re in college, most classes are lecture-based.
Professors use PowerPoints or just verbal words to teach so I’ve
trained myself to listen carefully and pick out the important facts.

3. Michelle : In the beginning of class, when I took the
learning preferences survey, my results were
reflective was a 1, sensing was a 1, visual was a I.
and sequential was a 1. I like working alone since it
takes me a while to brainstorm something really
good. Throughout the progress in the class, I used all
the learning preferences mostly on visual and
sequential. I listened to the video on the class
instructions; it helped me stayed focus. I can always
pause the video and go back if I didn’t catch what
my teacher said. I took good notes for my classes. In
the end, learning preferences helped me on my
learning.

4. Annie and Michelle’s Thought About
Learning Preferences
At the end of the class, we feel it’s important to
establish what kind of learner we are so we know
where our strengths and weaknesses lie. I thought
learning preferences were going to be static for the
most part but after this class, I learned that our
preferences can vary depending on the learning
environment. Knowing about our individual learning
preferences does make a difference in our personal
learning success because it sets a strong foundation for
our learning. When we know how we learn best, we
can use those strategies to our benefit. In the areas
where we are weak, we can train ourselves to improve
them so they can be as helpful as our strong areas.

5. Learning Pathway
Annie : At the beginning of class, I chose Learning Warrior
as my pathway. I feel I have successfully gained more
knowledge in mobile technology on a deeper level because
although I’ve heard of ipads and tablets, ipods and
MP3s, microblogs, and podcasts, I haven’t actually used the
majority of them for learning purposes, let alone know they
could be used for learning purposes. I’ve always seen them
as solely for entertainment. In the back of my mind, I think I
knew they could be used for learning but I just didn’t think
they were effective methods for learning. I haven’t
changed my pathway because I’m still in the process of
understanding how each mobile technology works. Before I
can move on to become a learning sage or a learning
guide, I’d like to have a steady grasp of my own.

6. Michelle : In the beginning of class, I decided I was a
learning sage. I chose a learning sage path because I only
know the basic about technology. In our society today, is
all about technology. I thought it was very important to
keep up with the technology. I got the PSP Vita and
downloaded flash cards programs to help me study for
my classes. Not just that I have videos from
documentaries and also essays on my philosophy papers
and women studies. During the discussion on the
forums, I learned a lot about technology method that
helped me through my learning that I never knew about.
I’m grateful I learned a lot from my learning path.

7. Learning Activates
The “Math: Multiplication Flash Cards” activity in the iPods
and MP3 Quest gave me a broader understanding of how I
could use mobile technologies to learn. Instead of having to
carry around a deck of loose paper flash cards, I have an
electronic version that is more convenient and customizable
in my iPod. The “3D Brain Anatomy” in the iPad and Tablet
Quest” gave me a deeper understanding of how I could use
mobile technologies to learn. I was amazed at how interactive
I could be with the 3D brain by rotating and zooming in.
Reading about the brain in a 2D format isn’t as in-depth as a
3D model. The “Technology: #edtech” activity in the
Microblogs Quest worked best for learning with others
because the hashtag allows a whole variety of information to
be categorized at one location. Everyone gets to contribute
their own articles so we get a whole variety of information
from various sources.

8. Exploration of Technologies for
Learning
Annie : I explored deeper into the iPod and MP3 Quest
because I actually have an iPod and I carry it around with
me almost all the time. It’s the next best thing to a phone
for me. The most useful aspect for learning on my iPod is
the internet access. Since Professors use iLearn, I can use
the Wi-Fi to connect to iLearn and check for
updates, grades, and lectures. One day, I found myself
with free time at school so instead of listening to music
on my iPod, I logged on to iLearn and watched a
recorded lecture for my online class. This accommodated
my reflective learning preference quite nicely because
ability to have internet access on demand allowed me to
paused the recorded lecture and think about what is
being said. I can rewind or fast forward at my own pace
when I’ve understood the topic.

9. Michelle : The IPod and the MP3 player activity helped me a
lot understanding how to use mobile technology to my
learning. I recently got my Iphone and I have no idea how to
use it; Before I had a Ipod which only allowed to listen to
music and I always carry it around with me all the time.
Since I learned there are applications on the Iphone, I
downloaded applications on my phone to help me on my
studies and learning. I thought the most useful way of
learning was the internet. I can research my papers and I
can look up when my assignments from I learn. I can read
online that I’m assigned reading each day.

10. Synthesis
Annie : For me, I was most interested in iPods and MP3s as learning tools
because of its internet access ability. With internet, I can download decks of
flashcards or quizzes, and MP3 files. I wasn’t actually surprised at any mobile
technology but microblogs did make me think twice. I wasn’t sure how reliable
the sources could be since people could have different interpretations but for
the most part, it was pretty consistent. I like factual articles so some people who
include Wikipedia made me skeptical. Podcasts as a learning tool did not seem to
work very well for me because I couldn’t see any diagrams or follow the person’s
thought process. I wasn’t accustomed to listening blindly at what was being said.
I want to continue with iPods to enhance my learning because I feel it’s an all-in-
one tool for most learners. You can find diagrams, listen to audio, find reliable
sources, and much more.
Michelle : For me, I thought iPods worked best for my learning preferences
because I have it with me all the time and I could store my MP3 files and
flashcards without having excess bulk. Its also very easy to access too.
Flashcards allowed me to visually see words and pictures together and I could be
as detailed as I want when I tailor it to my preference. It helped me a lot.
Although I’m not a strong verbal learner, the MP3 files helped me improve on
that aspect. I have the MP3 playing in the background while I flip through my
flashcards.

11. Summary
Annie : I will continue to use all learning strategies but mainly visual and verbal because I
think those two will come in handy after I’m done with the school environment. Visual
learning strategies will be useful outside of school because we’ll have to put our thoughts
into presentations. When we explain things, we’ll have to have an organized way of
presenting the information because the majority of people are visual learners. Verbal
learning strategies will come in handy because we’ll have to train ourselves to listen
carefully. There won’t always be written directions and some employers want to see how
well we listen to instructions.
Michelle : I will continue to use iPods and microblogs. I actually can’t remember how I got by
school without using an iPod! It’s so convenient and collective. You can listen to
educational audio, play educational games, and find a variety of learning sites at the touch
of a few buttons. Microblogs are conveniently organized by key words so I can easily come
up with resources if I need to write a paper. Albeit I might have to sort through some sites
to find what I need, it’s still a great library of information. These can be used when I am at
a job or outside of school because if I have to come up with a research project, I’ll have
some unique places to start. For non-learning purposes, I will use iPads and microblogs
because microblogs are still a great source for finding information about a topic of my
interest with results all in one place. iPads have various applications for entertainment
and most of them are free to download. I can’t really avoid any mobile technology
because I think Professors will at some point use it but if I could, I will avoid using anything
that is solely audio because it really isn’t helpful to me at all. Visuals keep me focused so
without it, my eyes will start to wander and I’ll end up thinking about something
else, which will force me to listen to the audio all over again.