Reflection on my performance on Phase 1
During my time in IS101, I have struggled with getting 100% on the sections in the first two chapter, but when I started working on Chapter 3 - Microsoft Office Features I got the better hang of it. One of the major skills that I have learned in the class is to select a word, right-click it and then, look into the thesaurus. This will help me look for words that are more suitable for a specific context. In fact, I enjoy taking IS101 because you learn skills that help make it convenient to fulfill tasks in Microsoft Office. However, my earlier experiences were not as fun.
Earlier in the semester, I am disappointed in myself for rushing finish three of the sections in Chapter 2 – Computer Essentials and Section 1.4 - Online Safety and Security. The reason is because I wanted to catch up to work on my Chapter 3- Common Office Features and Chapter 4 - Microsoft Word assignments. I was struggling with getting the tasks in the assignments done before the due dates because I didn’t start working on the introductory coursework a week in advance. For next time, I will make sure I work at least five days in advance for assignments.
My Knowledge in using Bulleted and Numbered Lists
I have chosen Section 4.4.3 - Bulleted and Numbered Lists as the section to talk about for this blog. I use bullet points to see all the tasks that I need to accomplish for the day separately. I also use numbered lists to help myself see the required order of steps to fulfill a task. To start the list, I set my cursor on an empty line, press the numbering button on the paragraph group to start numbered list and then, press enter to start the next note. However, I struggled with with knowing how to decrease the indent for a bullet point when I accidentally indented it too far to the right. I struggle with that whenever there is a bullet point on the next line. However, watching the tutorial video on Section 4.4.3 - Bulleted and Numbered Lists taught me that there is a Decrease Indent button on the paragraph group. I can use that button to decrease the indent for a bullet point.
My plan to prepare myself for the Word Certification exam
The first step that I will take to get a good grade on the Certification exam is to make a list of the lessons in LabSim that I still need to review. I will then review that video to recall what it talked about. To help myself understand the topic for the section, I will write down the summary of what was talked about. The last step that I will take to prepare myself for the exam is study the lesson for that topic.
What to Share about My Life
One of the things that I enjoy about college is that you get to learn skills that will help you make an impact in your career. For example, in my Introduction to Information Systems class, I learned how to switch between different styles of text on Microsoft Word. This allows me to give the text that I use as headings in a different format than the text that I use as notes. However, I do face problems in college.
One of the biggest stressors that I have dealt with in college is enrolling in an Introduction to Oral Communications class in which the curriculum was not suitable for me. In the class, the teacher required the class to read two chapters a week, along with working on the quizzes based on those chapters, which was hard for me to handle with other classes that I had. I enrolled into that class since it was the best Introduction to Oral Communications class available since I didn’t start looking for classes as early as possible. However, you can learn from your mistakes in college. After making that choice, I learned that the quality of the curriculum of a class matters as much as the effort that you put in to get a good grade. If you are a full-time student and all your classes that you enroll in are tedious, you can struggle having time getting good grades in all of them, even though you might be trying to study those classes every day. After learning this major lesson, I can prevent myself from waiting to pick classes after they opened and then, enrolling into a class in which the curriculum is hard to manage.
Very glad to hear you enjoy taking IS101, Makell :-)
ReplyDeleteStruggling is part of the learning process. Your plan to prepare for the MO-110 Word exam is solid ^_^
Identifying what you would do differently in the future (e.g. enroll early so you have more choices in classes) is the fruit of learning!
Hi Makell, I actually had a different experience with the early chapters. I didn’t really struggle too much because whenever I didn’t know the answer in LabSim, I would just click Show Me right away and watch the steps. After that I would repeat it again and again until I remembered how to do it. I know some people might think that’s kind of a cheating way to learn, but honestly that’s how I understand things better. I need someone or something to show me the exact steps first, then I can repeat the process on my own. I’m not really the type who likes to guess or explore randomly until I find the answer. Once I see the process, it sticks much faster for me.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with you about the bulleted and numbered lists because they are really helpful for organizing tasks. Sometimes the small tools in Word are the ones that save the most time. Your plan for preparing for the certification exam also sounds very organized. Hopefully all the practice will make the exam feel easier when the time comes.
Hello Makell. When looking for a word I used to type in "synonym for ___" in my search bar. It's so much more streamlined now that I know that I can just search on the same page instead of going onto another. Working on assignments in advance is something I should start doing as well. When I had a public speaking class last semester and had to make outlines for my speeches, I learned that you can also increase indents on bullet points by pressing the tab key. I have many of the same problems when going to school full time, my professors were nice enough to give study guides before exams so I used those well. Learning how to learn is still a work in progress for me.
ReplyDeleteI just want to say that I've been consistently using the notepad and using bullet points to identify what I need to do whether it be chores, homework, things on my to-do list. I actually got some stuff done so bullet points are really useful so I'm glad it gives me something in a way that helps keep me accountable.
ReplyDeleteHi Makell! Your plan for preparing for the Word certification sounds solid, reviewing videos and writing summaries is a good way to actually remember the material instead of just rewatching it.
ReplyDeleteHi Makel! The bulleted lists was one of the few options that I was highly knowledgable and familiar about, but the indent feature was something I too struggled with and learning how it all works within LabSim was great to see nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteHey Makell, your preparation for the Word Exam is really good, that's basically what it takes to do well on any exam, especially the upcoming Excel Exam. Having Oral Communication with the class seems like a lot of work but surprisingly it kind of works out because we had just done our PowerPoint presentations and it can be helpful for a communications class. Have a great rest of the semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Makell, I like your approach to studying, sometimes it's easy to forget where you struggled because you push until 100 percent. I do like how the bullets being indented and also adjusted to have different designs changes the look of what you are working on. I agree that some classes take a lot of work and some are not fit for every student. I took the advice of others and started looking into rate my professor.com. I learned some classes are not recommended for those with ADHD and have a ton of coursework that helped me decide which courses to take. Students are brutally honest about their experiences with each professor.
ReplyDeleteHello, Makell, yes, I know what it feels like to be behind on assignments and coursework. I also wanted to finish faster on Labsim when I was behind. But rushing it to finish a work is a worse mistake since I didn't learn from rushing to finish faster, I wanted to learn more deeply about the subject.
ReplyDeleteHello Makell, I agree the effort you put into classes matters just as much as the material. We have to do our part as the students now to succeed and gain as much knowledge as we can from the course.
ReplyDeleteHi Makell, it also took me a bit to get used to doing Word problems on LabSim. I also agree that college is kind of the ease into adulthood, which is kind of terrifying, but I'm sure we'll do great! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHey Makell! Bulleted and Numbered Lists is a great choice! I love making checklists, so learning more about them has been supper helpful!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Makell. This course has really helped me understand things that are useful and that I might never have learned if I hadn't been here.
ReplyDeleteHi Maikel. I like that you picked the bullet and numbered list for your topic. It’s such a simple feature but knowing how to fix indents or adjust levels makes a huge difference when organizing notes or tasks. I didn't know about the “Decrease Indent” button function and now it has saved me so many times.
ReplyDeleteHello Makel. I also found the thesaurus feature on word especially helpful. Previously I would just search up synonyms for words online, but now I use this feature. Also, planning to enroll early is smart! It feels like all the best classes get filled up quickly.
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ReplyDeleteOne of the things that I fear in college is the courses that I take could be wrong and I just wasted time and energy preparing for it. Your insight when it comes to your experience is actually eye opening and a reminder for me to not to rush into things if I feel like it would be too much for me. Thank you for sharing that experience and hopefully you get the best classes that would fit your need and capacity.
ReplyDeleteI liked how honest your reflection was. I can relate to falling behind because of trying to catch up too fast. Your plan for preparing for the certification exam sounds really organized too. Hopefully all your hard work pays off on the test!
ReplyDeleteHi Makell, I appreciated your honest reflection about the challenges you faced and the lessons you learned from them. Your discussion about bulleted and numbered lists showed how even small Word features can become really useful in everyday tasks.
ReplyDeleteWell said Makell! I have always believed that making mistakes is actually the best way to learn. Whether we like it or not, at some point in our lives we would make a mistake that we will regret so much it's never going to leave our minds. The bright side of that is, you will always think about it and it will help you avoid getting yourself into the wrong thing again. The more mistakes we make, the more we make our choices/options narrower and we get closer to the right path or answer. :)
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