One last “hello, folks.”
Today officially marks the end of the course, and I am delighted to share my reflection with you all!
Throughout the course, I got to experience many impactful moments and experiences that are worth mentioning. One of the most impactful parts, which lasted till the end of the course, was that it gave me the space to be creative in ways I hadn’t experienced in a classroom before. It wasn’t just a course that encouraged creativity; it actually required it, while still holding us to a high standard of professionalism. A standout moment was when we were asked to create a digital game from scratch. But not just any game; our task was to design something meaningful for a specific group of users. It was challenging, but in the best way. Along the way, I learned how to embed hyperlinks into Word documents, navigate transitions and layouts in Google Slides, and customize my presentations in ways that felt polished and intentional. By the end of the project, when I reviewed my work, I had a moment where I genuinely thought, “Wow, I’ve learned some really cool and useful skills.”
Another turning point for me was when we started discussing digital literacy and digital skills. Before this course, I hadn’t really questioned how much control the internet has over us. That conversation opened my eyes to the idea that it’s not just about using the internet, but learning how to use it wisely and critically. One thing that stuck with me is the idea that the internet is like slime; it only becomes useful if we shape it right. Even the more theoretical topics in class felt engaging because the professor always found a way to bring creativity into the learning process. She encouraged us to integrate fun, playful tools into our assignments, even when the subject matter was complex. It actually made me consider following her approach in the future, maybe even in my own profession or leadership roles someday.
In my academic life, one of the most valuable takeaways was learning how to test and evaluate research tools. Instead of just giving us a list, our professor encouraged us to explore tools like Perplexity and Research Rabbit and figure out what they’re best used for. As a biology student, research is central to everything I do, so knowing which tools help with literature mapping or summarizing information will absolutely stay with me throughout university and beyond.
In my social life, I was really surprised by how useful the AI-detection and media verification tools were. Learning how to spot fake photos and videos is a skill I never realized I needed until this course. The classes we took on digital literacy gave me important insights into how to tell whether a website or app is safe, how much personal data they collect, and how to protect myself from scams and spam. These are things I will apply in everyday life, whether I’m online shopping, signing up for a new platform, or just trying to avoid digital traps.
In my future career, I know I’ll rely on both research tools and digital design skills. Being able to create a high-quality presentation that follows accessibility principles like proper color contrast is something I’ll take seriously moving forward. I got to understand that professional communication is not just about content but also about clarity, readability, and visual impact.
That’s why, if I had to show someone what I learned in this course, I would share my presentation on digital literacy and AI tools. It represents everything I gained: practical skills, research ability, creativity, and a deeper understanding of how we interact with the digital world. I will also share my digital game, as it includes many skills I learned throughout the course, such as inserting hyperlinks and music pieces into the slides, as well as customizing transitions. One last thing I will share is my evaluation of AI search tool engines, as it contains comparisons between many different aspects of research methodologies that are important or may be useful for others. One additional thing I will also share is the AI tools list that a lot of people still don’t know about, like AI question generators, misinformation detectors, and advanced prompting techniques, which make it fun and useful to share.
If I could make a few changes to improve the course experience, the first thing I would adjust is the Soliya sessions. While the idea of connecting with people from different parts of the world was interesting, I think the experience would be more engaging and effective if the sessions were shortened to one hour instead of two. Sometimes the conversations felt stretched, and reducing the time could make the dialogue feel more focused and meaningful.
Secondly, I would add more outdoor classes or field-based learning activities. Even one or two classes held outside the usual classroom setting can refresh our minds and lead to more spontaneous, creative discussions. I’d also love to see optional bonus opportunities like attending digital literacy or tech-related conferences. These events could connect what we learn in class to what’s happening in the real world and give us a chance to network and apply our knowledge in a bigger context.
Finally, I think the course would benefit from having a single centralized platform that includes all the course materials, deadlines, assignment submissions, and discussion forums. Juggling between different apps or sites can sometimes be confusing and lead to missed work. Having one place to manage everything would reduce distraction and help us stay better organized and more focused.
In my opinion, people who hate to see the word AI should take this course.
Throughout the course, we explored a wide range of tools, both digital and physical, that truly enhanced the learning experience. Some I enjoyed and plan to continue using, while others I found less helpful for my personal or academic goals.
1. Hybrid Learning
One of the tools I appreciated most was hybrid learning. The flexibility it provided made a big difference, whether I attended in person or online. It helped reduce stress on days when attending was hard for us all and allowed me to participate as fully. I hope more courses in the future adopt this format, as it supports both accessibility and engagement.
2. Active Learning & Classroom Technology
The classroom setting itself was a powerful learning tool. The movable chairs encouraged collaboration, especially during discussions where we could quickly form a circle. The dual projectors (front and back) made it easy for everyone to see, no matter where they sat, and the sound and visual quality were excellent, especially during video-based lessons. Even small details like the carpet tiles played a big role by making movement quieter and smoother, which mattered a lot since we were constantly rearranging our space. These physical tools helped create a dynamic environment where learning felt active, not passive.
3. EPSON iProjection
When we projected our final game projects, we used EPSON iProjection, and that technology really impressed me. It allowed us to share our screens seamlessly and made our presentations look professional and polished. I can absolutely see myself using similar projection tools in both academic presentations and professional settings in the future.
4. Multimedia Learning (Videos & TED Talks)
I also loved the use of videos and TED Talks in the course. They covered everything from intrinsic/extrinsic motivation to microaggressions and more. These videos added emotional depth and real-world relevance to what we were learning. I often remember visual content better, so using these multimedia tools helped me grasp abstract concepts in a much more engaging way.
5. AI Tools
We explored several AI tools, and while I found some of them extremely useful, especially those related to research, question generation, and critical thinking, others didn’t resonate with me as much. For example, I didn’t find CoPilot or Claud’s tools particularly helpful. They felt either too naive for my needs or not directly relevant to the kind of work I want to do. However, I still appreciated the opportunity to try them and learn how they might be useful to others in different contexts.
Links for assignments, Materials
I hope you enjoyed this, and have a nice day!
Provide Feedback