Now for my review;

2 projects completed (I hope) they have to go through the assessment process first, whether I will be asked to add further information or not is in the hands of the Gods (or in this case leia’s).

When starting this qual, Leia had the brilliant idea that I use “Moodle” and “Prezi” to complete my projects. Well that was a good idea:((   What the heck is Prezi??? I thought, I soon found out. It’s a posh and updated way to present information. Ha! I’m going up in the world:)).  Ha! this is going to be easy:)) WEll IT WAS NOT

Moodle was a little bit easier, I still had loads to learn: How do I add information? I think the term is adding “Resources”. Again this was not easy in the beginning. Talk about steep Learning Curve!! Well maybe it is the best way to learn??? It’s what I have been used to in all my previous jobs:(

Topics.  I don’t make things easy for myself do I.

Project 1. Start I.T.User Fundamentals.

This is where it got a little bit easier.  Knowledge, it’s a wonderful thing to have. Shame mine at that point was not HUGE, I could have done with some (lot) more:((

I soon got the hang of what I needed to do, find information to help learners how to;

• to log on/shut down their computer
• save/name documents
• create/name files & folders
• move folders and files
• understand different fonts & SIZES
• how to bold/underline
• cut & paste
• drag & drop

To help me add this information, I looked on many websites to see if there was any information or images that I could use to make beginners understand what to do. Well there is a GOD or 3 out there – GOOGLE, WIKIPEDIA & CREATIVE COMMONS. All the information/images I could ever use, and a little bit of my own knowledge. Yes I do have some:)) Oh, nearly forgot YOUTUBE – for video.

With their (Gods – see above) help I could then create documents, links and I even with a little bit of trial and error inserted a video into “Moodle”. Now my skills were starting to grow and so was my confidence. This didn’t last long.

With “Moodle” almost finished I had to decide what my topic was going to be in “Prezi”. Once chosen I then had to attack “Prezi” and add information/photo’s etc again. And as this qual is level 2, I had to have non ict stuff, and this is where the dilemma started. What to use that was relevent!! I then had an idea to use the jobs page from the Evening Post.

Now as I haven’t yet given the subject of my project, I bet you can guess now? Yes, it’s the dreaded Employability and Personal Development Qualification.

6 units of really interesting TASKS for learners to complete and provide evidence for. Before it could be started I had to, from scratch complete a new  Log Book, a new completed sheet for each unit (6). Now spreadsheets came back to haunt me! Not my best subject and with a little help from Stella I can now add “drop down” boxes in my spreadsheets. This came in handy for completing evidence of records another l2 feature-(torture more like) so I put in loads:)) they helped make my spreadsheet more presentable and user friendly.

Next,6 different units, 1000′s of City & Guilds standards to input, more “Moodle” resources to provide. (ping) I have just had a thought:)) WHY didn’t I use this evidence for my 1st project. AAARRRGGG

Anyway, back to the “Prezi”, what information was I going to include?? More of the same?? text/images/table/graph and as I said earlier non ict information. The (Gods) helped here as well, by delivering copyright free pictures of signs,people queuing and photo’s of us tutors and learners from the past.

I soon found out that “Prezi” was annoying and driving me insane:((

Circles, frames, arrows (bendy & straight), inserting documents, images, photo’s.

HOW do YOU get THEM the SAME size??

• Trial and error??
• Leave them as they are??
• Call for help??

LEEEIIIAAA!!!

And don’t even ask about creating a pathway! It must have taken me a week, off and on to get it all looking right and in some sort of order. And then guess what happens? I ask Stella to have a look, give some feedback, tell me how great it was, pat me on the back and guess what she does? Finds a problem with 1 piece of evidence and suggests(TELLS) I to do it again. So I have to take out the one in the pathway (that took a week to get right), correct the mistake and re-insert it again. Was this going to work as I hoped? or would I forever have to set new pathways when someone finds the smallest detail in the wrong place – my name in a footer(as I was taught).

It DID, I didn’t break the pathway (not sure why) and I still have a working “Prezi” for my qualification.

By the end of the project how I wish I had never started, or had chosen a different theme. Visions of my A.O.N. project came flooding back to haunt me. Sorry Leia it’s going to be another one of the same:((

2 projects done, still a load to do.

• project planners x 2 (did this 1st) honest
• fill in logbook
• send e-mail to tutor
• feedback from tutor(not Stella-see above)
• check all evidence is in user space
• make sure all evidence in diigo
• up-load everything to Mahara

Can’t think of anything else at the moment. I’M sure that someone reading this will remind me:((

It’s been a long time in the making.  I’m almost ready to submit my work for assessment, wish me luck, I think I am going to need it after this review.

Please feel free to leave me comments, I need cheering up after writing this it’s taken ages to do.

xx

So I would like to improve my knowledge, understanding and skills in ICT and apply them in the workplace. I would like to learn more on troubleshooting and installing programs and the general running of computers.

I do uses Microsoft word and textease for work sheets and tying up something for wall displays but that is as far as it goes.

At home  I only use my laptop for browsing the internet, Facebook and uploading photos and music from my phone onto the computer or updating my music on my iPod.

In the school im 1:1 / LSA. I work closely with a Little boy and he is my responsibility, I support him in the classroom and helping him to become independent. He need constant 1:1 supervision. He does like the computer and he knows how to access the internet and then the cbeebies website and will do all that himself. I will use splosh with him for writing his name or learning numbers etc.

The purpose of me starting this apprenticeship is to further my knowledge and understanding of computers and also for me to be able to fix instead of calling out a technician to come out and fix a problem that could be as simple as plugging in a cable or installing or downloading a simple program.

Today I did some computer work on the testing computers. I had to restore the computers to their former glory. On two of the computers I had to replace the sound card I found it easy because of normal checks and updates scans on regular matainence when doing such things I feel confident that I could do this with no problems.

After that I had to do upgrades for all the computers in the yellow room, in the yellow room there are 12 computers. I had to install the new versions of fire Fox and after that delete the extensions.

Then dinner came I went down the shop with Adam, a fellow student, I wasn’t so hungry so I bought some energy drinks which were called blue bear. On the way back this guy nearly got run over by a car, this was so funny!! When I eventually got back I had to attend a class.

I learnt what distracts me, doing a lot of print screen’s(boring) this was not so hard. This was taking time then a student made the internet go down(great, well done Ryan).  Adam started complaining about Ryan, this was FUNNY.

After my break I got told about this website(Write or Die) and am trying it on a hard setting, I have to write really quickly or lose what has been done, you try it, it’s not easy!! This is a pain, I will use this more to improve my typing (HELP).

I had previous knowledge of MS Office from school; but while in ITeC, I improved on using this package, for example, in Word – I learned how to create a CV; what is the difference between Serif and San Serif fonts; how not to use default fonts, but always change it to something better. In PowerPoint – I learned how to time slide transitions in my presentation and how to add custom animations. In Excel – I don’t think I worked much in this programme before; here I learned how to create graphs, how to work with SUM function and other formulas.

Also, I learned how to use blogging by participating in group blogging in WordPress. I was given Administrator’s permissions in my group blogging – yet, I learned a lot about what widgets can be added to a blog, Adam helped me to learn this.

In my Basic Skills (Literacy Numeracy), I learned how to use online calculator, during the workshop “What is better? To be on benefits or full time working”. Again, in spreadsheets, how to use formulas and SUM; Another thing I really put a lot of effort is a Touch typing – I really put a lot of effort into learning how to touch type fast. My tutor, Elena, says she noticed the improvement.

In developing my Personal Skills, I have learned how to work in the group environment during our group blog project.

I also have learned that to succeed in learning and at work, I need to develop my positive skills and attitude further. I must demonstrate commitment and motivation, be enthusiastic about my learning and/or work, stay organised. I appreciate all the help in training and work tasks. Good communication is also very important – when I don’t understand something, I let my tutors know; I also have learned to listen better – communication is a two-way path. At times, volunteering is important too – I learned more on IT Technical jobs by volunteering to assist Mark Evans on some technician tasks and I enjoyed it.

Which of my initial targets have I achieved?

• ESW ICT – Project
• IOL
• ITQ Unit 125 – Presentation Software
• ITQ Unit 105 – IT Security For Users
• ITQ Unit 107 – Using The Internet
• ITQ Unit 109 – Using Collaborative Technologies
• EPD Unit 412 (candidate project)
• Learned how to create a graph in spreadsheet, that I used in my Project 1
• Gained more confidence at meeting targets
• Timekeeping – learned how to value this skill.

I also learned that the best ways of learning for me are researching the Internet, having discussions with my tutor or talk to someone on the subject, so I understand it better; and listening to Alison. Using proofreading and a spell checker was also helpful. Also, by listening in workshops and talking to my tutors and Tracey, I learn better about what is expected of me and how to follow rules.

How can I use what I have learned in other ways?

IT Skills

• WordPress making my own blog
• Sildeshare create my own account and share my resources

Basic Skills (Literacy Numeracy)

• When applying for jobs or training – I feel more confident that I can write a better cover or other letters.

Personal Skills (Timekeeping, confidence etc)

• What I’ve learned here, during my downtime on timekeeping, taught me to make sure I turn up on time to work or training in the future.

What changes did I make to my plan and why?

I found many of my tasks were difficult to do – time consuming tasks are not my cup of tea. For the most part, I finished all my targets ahead of original date(s), but some of them took a lot of effort to do. In the second dev plan, most of the targets I finished ahead of time because I was trying to finish all my work before I go for the Christmas break.

Where did I perform well?

• Achieved Microsoft quiz to 100%;
• Found Internet Test to be easy – got distinction on the first try.
• I think my project 1 turned out well – I’m pleased how my timeline had turned out in my presentation and how quickly I’ve learned how to use “track changes” and proofreading tool in Word.
• My tutor told me that I worked well with Paul during our blog project and helped him a lot.

Where could I improve

• I need to improve on reading instructions carefully and on my patience – I find it difficult to stay focus for long time;
• As my tutor advised, I should improve on applying my theory knowledge into practice;

What were the difficulties?

• IT Security test was a challenge, but in the end, I passed it.
• EPD – it does my heading because I find it so time consuming and a lot to read and process; I find it a bit boring.
• My main difficulties are spelling – but I’m getting better at it (my tutor confirms)
• I find it difficult lately to get up on time and arrive to ITeC on time.
• Staying focused is challenging – Adam’s behaviour affects me and not to my benefit.

What areas would I like to develop further?

• I really would like to develop my programming skill – C++; and many more computer programming languages; for this I need to learn more on math operations – because math is essential in programming.
• I really need to learn how to overcome other people interruptions and stay focused on my work.

I have a monthly review with my tutor Elena, where we discuss my progress, what has been completed and what has still to be completed. Diane, our Career Coach, has also provided support, she has helped by finding work experience at Funky Dragon, completing my  C.V. and “getting my foot in the door” with Coastal.

I have good computer skills, these I learned before starting the course, I just need to have the proof . To demonstrate that I have the right attitude for work and learning, I must be willing to learn and be positive: this means be enthusiastic, show motivation, be flexible, be organized and keep good communication flowing.

During my work experience,  I found that I demonstrated all these; I learned how to use new software – Joomla, which allowed me to learn and to use my new skills in web design. Tam Church, who was my mentor at Funky Dragon, has made positive comments in my Monthly Review, which shows that I have really done the work I was asked to do.  I really enjoyed my week-trial with Funky Dragon and will go back there again after Christmas for 3 more weeks – I CAN’T WAIT.

There have been good point and bad points on this course:

Good Points / Confident Doing

• Making new friends
• Completing my ICT project
• Learning Joomla

Bad Points / Didn’t Enjoy

• Using E-Toys
• Being blamed for things I didn’t do
• Boring work

In my opinion I am able to pick up interesting tasks easily, why can’t all work be interesting and not BORING.

Can’t I just sleep all day!!!!   Or is that BORING!!

The first month of the course was very intense and hard going but with the support of my tutors and other members of the group who give me encouragement to carry on as at one point I was ready to call it a day.

But every month my tutor Mair would give me a review and progress update on how I’m doing  and this would give me a  confidence boost as I was doing better than expected. Also the workshops we did were helpful as we could discuss with our tutors any problems we had which they would help you and explain in more detail so you could understand the problem.

Another thing that I found useful and helpful was Diane our career adviser who helped me to create a new C.V and update it with all my newly accomplished Itec skills and all my latest employment.

My career adviser here at Swansea ITeC is Diane. Diane has sent me lots of emails to my Swansea ITeC Email Account. She is here at Swansea ITeC to give me all the support and guidance for career opportunities I need.

Support is also given by the other tutors during workshops and self study periods. There are also tasks to complete on Moodle and Alison for when I can’t do work for my course.

The other learners in my group have been an help with internet research, finding information I needed for my projects and EPD.

The group blog was good to complete as I am interested in Technology. I used many different websites to collect information and images on;

• The Intel Corporation
• Operating Systems
• Samsung Phones

Help and support has been given in many ways during this course.

THANKS TO ALL.

Skills I learned which are needed for my trainee course were things such as:

• How to use Diigo
• How to create blogs and blog posts
• How to use Alison
• How to use Lino
• How to use more advanced settings on Microsoft Office – Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc.
• To communicate with other Trainee members

I believe I have improved upon my IT skills while being at Swansea ITeC as well as my personal skills. Although I still think that I need to improve upon my numeracy skills – Percentages, Perimeters, Dividing and Volume and my one main personal skill which is to build upon my confidence.

It’s free, it’s fun and it’s fantastic!!!