Introduction: 

Please read the following sections straight through or by using the links listed above.  These sections describe the activities, perspectives and attitudes that will be encouraged during “Using Your Computer Creatively”.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact the instructor above or view the class activities list. Top of page. 

Perspectives and Protocol: 

This course is designed to give students the perspectives and protocol needed to learn technology and computer program applications in creative and constructive ways.  An essential component of the learning process in the course will be an assessment of your technology knowledge, comfort, experience, interest and needs.  Through self-assessment, research, goal setting, creativity, practice, applications, and development of a final product, you will learn about yourself, your capabilities, and the resources that exist to assist you in capturing and presenting your view of the world.   Top of page. 

Your Portfolio: 

Whether used for personal or professional projects, each document, presentation, correspondence or gift you create is a representation of who you are and what you have to share.  Each of these should be planned, executed and considered part of your creative portfolio.  No information or creation ever truly becomes obsolete and should be archived for future reference and used as a scale to measure the development of your skills and past trends.  This process will be supported and documented through the development of a technology journal you create and the creation of a timeline of your past technology and artistic accomplishments. Top of page. 

The time required to learn changes and new applications often restricts us from attempting to learn what could be a great benefit to us.  Organizing the varied tasks necessary to use technology should account for half the energy devoted to the project.  The more time you spend organizing translates to less time spent doing things inefficiently and/or repeatedly.  Unfortunately, its easy to fall into the trap of doing one thing at time when things are at their busiest.  And ironically, this is when organizing is the most effective.  When there are many things to do at once, categories emerge naturally.  However, the more effort put into seeking the commonality, using strategies and anticipating results, the more efficient our end products become. Top of page. 

Learning Future Technology: 

Students at all levels of experience benefit from the process of organizing their learning of technology.  Both novice and accomplished technology users can always benefit from greater organization of their learning skills.  For everyone, the amount of knowledge available is infinite.  It doesn’t matter if you have never turned on a computer or have used them for years.  You will definitely be using them in the future and will continually need to learn how to use the many applications that follow.   Top of page. 

Students will further develop and utilize the skills and opportunities of organization and work distribution by working in discussion groups.  Perspectives, information and support are gained by participation in and contributing to the group.  This course is for students of all levels and each of them have valuable contributions to make to each other.  Students will develop individual technology learning goals for themselves that are appropriate for their level, style and needs while collaborating and sharing information with discussion group members.   Top of page. 

Your Relationship with Technology: 

If you’ve had little experience with computers, be assured that they are very user friendly compared to the past.  If you have used computers for years, don’t under-estimate the bad learning habits that can develop if much of your learning was disorganized.  The reason these skills are so important to us and our personal development is that they can make everything you do more effective.  We have many feelings and emotions tied to our experience with technology.  These include fear and accomplishment, curiosity and bad experiences, inspiration and being overwhelmed, feelings of inadequacy and success, and our greatest sources of both boredom and excitement.    Top of page. 

Accessibility: 

Information seeking and delivering will be involved with every decision you make and project you attempt.  The knowledge explosion and expansion that has been facilitated by the Internet provides both opportunity and confusion.  Being able to find what you need and being able to use it in practical applications is the true definition of “Accessibility”.   Top of page. 
 
 

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