Wow! Let me just say that I think we have covered a lot of information this semester in this class. I cannot believe all the things I have learned! When I first looked over the previous presentations the students covered the summer, I was overwhelmed. I just remember thinking there was so much work that needed to be done. And now the time has come—it’s done!!! (Well at least to a point where it is ready to be graded…still needs to update it from time to time) CD 315 made me take assignments one at a time, which allowed me to concentrate more on one genre per week; this was very helpful to me. I have definitely learned a great deal about computers and the internet. With many struggles in the process, I learned how to link sites into my webliography, sign on and talk on MOO, and create an antville blog. I also became more knowledgeable of Parkinson’s disease. I actually surprised myself during this semester: In another class we were required to watch a list of movies. One of the movies I watched was “Awakenings”. It is about a rare disease that is like Parkinson’s disease. While watching the movie, the ‘doctor’ was explaining the disease and compared it to Parkinson’s disease. Before he could get to how this rare disease differed from PD, I had already come up with a list of differences in my head. It’s funny, because I didn’t realize how much I had learned from this research.
I did not have a very organized way of completing this assignment. I am what you could call a HUGE procrastinator. It is definitely one of my weaknesses! In the beginning of the semester, I was completing most of my assignments before Sunday and was organized. However, as the semester went on, the procrastinator in me started to show more and more. Needless to say, some Sundays were more hectic than others, but the assignments were done on time! I was able to get my information from the MU library search, reliable internet sites, and a text book. I would basically type in different words to search and then go from there. I think my researching skills improved because in the beginning I was very picky. If I did not find the specific information I wanted then I would exclude that site and continue my search elsewhere. However, I soon learned that I was missing out on a lot of useful information. I needed to take more time to read over the material because it could include some bits of useful information or be helpful in the future.
I’m sure computer technology will be integrated into my future work in many different ways. One way is that I will use computers and the internet to learn new information. With the knowledge of finding reliable sites and searching techniques, I will be able to learn the latest research. I may also want to join a mailing list with other SLPs. This will not only provide me with new information, but can also work as a support group. I’m sure there will be days when I feel like I have been making no progress with a client and I am feeling down on myself, it will be nice at these times to talk to people that can relate to how I feel. Another way technology will be integrated into my profession as a SLP is with augmentative devices. With all the fast progress technology is making, who knows what they will come up with in the future. (I’m anxious to find out)
Well, this is my last journal I will be writing. In closing, I would just like to say that it has been a long road, but I’m appreciative of what all has been accomplished.
Hope my blog is informative to all who read it!!!
Miss mustudent,
Julie:)