In
the world of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) my experience has predominantly
been in the area of Microsoft applications. I have used the four applications (listed
below) and are still in use of them in different ways. Honey and Mumford (1982; 2006) identified four main learning styles
including Activist,
Pragmatist, Reflector and Theorist. In my personal experience, I understand
that Microsoft applications together (if not individually as much) can be used
to meet all the four learning styles in different combinations. In my teaching,
I personally introduce all four styles as much as I can, as explained below:
Microsoft Word
I
have used it both in my own work (in the past when I was employed in the
Government / Public sector as a flood engineer and Commercial / Private sector
as an environmental consultant). I have used during my own studies as well as
while working as a researcher and lecturer in the academic sector.
Particularly, in the context of teaching and learning, I have used this
application to design coursework / assignment specification, etc. I also give
feedback to students in a certain form developed and used in Microsoft Word. My
students also use this application to produce their work for marking.
Microsoft Excel
I
used it during my PhD to analyse data and present in tabular and graphical
forms in order to support the demonstration of a computer model that I
developed (details of the model are laid below in the Microsoft Access section).
I have used it for statistical applications including maximum, minimum and
average. In my teaching and learning experience, I use it to compile marks for
students on a module. I also work out average mark as well as standard deviation
in marks obtained by my students, in order to more objectively discuss teaching
and learning experience of my students in the exam board meetings. Plus, when I
supervise my students’ dissertation, I supervise its application on their data
sets.
Microsoft
PowerPoint
I
particularly use it in my teaching and learning. I prepare lectures on
PowerPoint. I use it for links to video clips. I also place pictures, tables and
graphs on my lecture slides. It is also used by me to prompt me to ask set right
questions at the right time as designed in my lesson plan, in order to activate,
stir up and control students’ discussion in a workshop style in the classroom,
rather than me lecturing in a conventional authoritative style all the time.
When
I have my students deliver presentation, they generally use PowerPoint to do presentations.
I give constructive feedback to them on their presentations and that how can
they make it even more professional in terms of content and expressions on the
PowerPoint slides as well as their body language in conjunction with the
PowerPoint.
Microsoft Access
I
have used it in my PhD when I developed the computer model of a holistic methodology
of environmental risk assessment of landfill leachate. Access has VBA (Visual
Basic Applications) is embedded in it, and that renders the application even
more powerful. I also used this application when I worked as a research assistant
(for the University of Wales Bangor) on a research and development project
regarding Welsh Headline Indicators of Sustainable Development. I am to update
the computer model I developed into newer versions / latest version of the Access,
and then develop research proposal to further the research work by employing
self-funded research students.
References
Honey,
P. and Mumford, A. (July) 2006 (Revised edition), The Learning Styles
Questionnaire 80-item version, Peter Honey Publications Limited, Maidenhead,
Berks, England, UK.
Honey,
P. and Mumford, A. 1982, The Manual of Learning Styles, Peter Honey Publications
Ltd., London, UK.
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