Slack

Slack was incredibly useful for staying connected with classmates both during and outside of class time. Its channel-based layout kept our conversations organized, making it easy to share documents and follow discussions. Initially, it took some time to get used to the system, but once I understood how the channels worked, it became a seamless way to communicate and collaborate.  Slack helped with my teamwork and communication skills by encouraging quick, professional exchanges with my classmates. Additionally, its structured layout taught me how to organize information effectively. I appreciated how intuitive it was once I got the hang of it, and I would love to use Slack for future collaborations with colleagues.

Google Slides

I used Google Slides for creating a game, which was a unique and enjoyable experience. I wasn’t familiar with Google Slides before this course, as I’ve always used Microsoft PowerPoint for presentations. However, I appreciated how we used the “link to slides” feature creatively to design a game rather than a typical slideshow. Although I enjoyed experimenting with a new tool, I still find PowerPoint’s layout more comfortable and suited to my needs, possibly because I’ve used it for so long. While I might stick to PowerPoint for presentations in the future, this experience taught me to think outside the box and use tools in unconventional ways.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT was a game-changer for me this semester. I used it primarily to explain difficult concepts from articles and occasionally to summarize them, although I realized it sometimes left out key points. It was also instrumental in helping me design my game, as I relied on it to generate ideas and some scenarios for gameplay. This tool greatly enhanced my ability to understand complex material and brainstorm creatively. While I learned to critically evaluate its outputs, I see immense potential in ChatGPT as it continues to improve over time. I plan to use it frequently in the future for tasks like clarifying concepts and sparking ideas. This is what I think is the correct way to use AI, especially in learning, don’t take a shortcut and let it do the work for you. It can help you but letting it do the work will make you get used to it, and you’ll not learn without doing the work.

Zoom

While I had used Zoom during school during the quarantine, using it for the Soliya program in this course felt like a completely new experience. It allowed me to connect with people from around the world with excellent quality and features like breakout rooms, which were new to me. These smaller groups made it easier to have focused, meaningful conversations. The facilitator also transcribed what we said in the chat, and I would take screenshots to remember what we covered after the meeting, which was helpful. Zoom once again proved to be a reliable platform for fostering connections, and I would gladly use it for future virtual meetings or global collaborations.

Blog Posts

Writing blog posts for assignments was a first for me, and it turned out to be a refreshing way to engage with the course material. Posting assignments in this format improved my ability to write reflective pieces, as we did it often throughout the semester. I especially liked how it encouraged me to organize my thoughts and articulate my learning clearly. However, one drawback was the lack of an account system, which meant re-entering my name and email every time I submitted a post. Despite this, blogging has become a skill I value.

Smart Boards & Movable Chairs

The classroom setup, with six smart boards spread across the room, made a significant difference in how we learned. I liked how there was always a board nearby, ensuring I could clearly see what the instructor was showing on screen. These smart boards were also interactive and often used during class activities, such as answering questions or brainstorming ideas at the start of class. The movable chairs further enhanced our learning experience by making it easy to rearrange the room for group discussions. Sitting in a circle for class conversations created a more inclusive and interactive environment, where we could comfortably share ideas and listen to each other. This combination of smart boards and flexible furniture made the classroom feel engaging and dynamic, improving both participation and collaboration.