Self-Assessment of my Technology Knowledge & Skills

Ok, so technology is not my strong point.  That's ok, because that gives me some room to grow and improve during this course.   My results are as follows:

1. Basic Computer Knowledge and Skills - 92 %
2. Word Processing - 99%
3. Spreadsheet  - 97%
4. Database - 65 %
5. Presentation - 82%
6. Internet - 82%
7. Web Development  64 %

I did take the test three times, because the first time I was a little hard on myself and tended to put "basic" when I should have put "intermediate" or "mastery."   The first time through I was thinking "could I explain how this works to a class of students?" and that pretty much meant mastery was out of the question.  By the third time I took the test, I think I was more fair about my abilities, and cut myself a little slack.   I definitely need more work on my database  and web development skills.   To be fair, I do neither in my job, so I haven't had the occasion to practice.  I believe this class will help me improve in the web development category.  I took the test for the final time after I had published my blog, and was pleased to notice I had already advanced in a couple areas.  My goals for this class are simply to become familiar with the technology that is out there.  I don't have to be proficient in each area.  I would be thrilled to enlarge my vocabulary with techno terms, and thereby reduce the "deer in the headlight" occasions when I haven't got a clue!   Let the learning begin!

Inital Introductions

Greetings!! I am a 52 year-old female who is working online to FINALLY get her bachelor's degree in General Studies.  I have been married to a Mechanical Engineer named Dave for 32+ years, and have three grown children:  Ryan (Purdue Communications  grad, age 29 - married to Kristen and living in China running an orphanage); Julie (Ball State Elementary education grad, age 27 - married to Daniel, living and teaching in northern Kentucky); and Brianna (Purdue Communications grad age 23 - newly married to David and living and looking for a job in Ohio.) Ryan has two daughters, Ellie (4 1/2) and Annie (2 1/2) whom I adore and enjoy Skyping with every Friday night!  They came out for the wedding last August, and I made sure we had lots of cuddle and reading time!  The one with the hairy arm is my son! :-)


We moved to small-town Kokomo, Indiana from crowded, smog-filled southern California sixteen years ago, and have absolutely no regrets.  (Okay, there was that time our old California house tripled in price after we  sold it, but I digress...)  Check out these links to see our old neighborhood and our current neighborhood.  I much prefer living farther apart from my neighbors.  In our old house, we would look out our window and wave at our neighbors in their home!  Ugh.  I invested heavily in drapes! ;-)

Once two out of my three kids entered college, I returned to work to put THEM through college.  I work in the Reference Department in our local public library (http:www.khcpl.org) , and enjoy learning new things everyday as I assist patrons with their questions.  Now that my kids are grown and graduated, I have returned to my scholastic endeavors and am working towards my Bachelor's degree, with a possible interest in one day getting an MLS.   IF I make it through the required Math class.  I have serious doubts about that! 

 

When I am not involved in the big  3 S's - studying, skyping or shopping,  I am usually taste testing my husband's newest wine creation, (hiccup) or running from my bees.  Yes, I have 50,000 bees...or rather, I had.  They tend to die off in the winter.  Hopefully, I'll have some left over and can continue my odd yet delicious hobby in the spring.  Here I am with both my honeys!

Here is a link to my Wordle creation, which lists my likes:  www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/2965718/Melanie%27s_Favorite_Things

Just to be fair, I've made a second Wordle creation with my dislikes:

www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/2966482/Melanie%27s_List_of_Dislikes

This has been my first experience with blogging.  I hope it works!