What I´ve learned

This year I took a info systems essentials class at my university. The course´s name was CIS265 and was taught by Professor Shade.

I´ve got to be honest with you. At the beginning of the semester I thought this class was going to be only about excel and at this point of my life I had already taken 2 info systems classes in high school. My first thoughts were: Oh I got this! It is just another excel class. But guess what? It was not.

In this class we did go over excel for one month but after that we moved into learning how to use Microsoft Word Docs. As students, we all think we know how to use this program because it is where we often write our papers. Especially me, I thought I was a master in knowing how to use Word Docs. In this course I learned how to cite without having to type it all out every single time that I mention a source. This definitely made my college life easier.

I also learned how to use google drive and create presentations. It is good to know there are other platforms out there we can use apart from PowerPoint. Sometimes it gets boring to be using only the same formats and templates. The great thing about google presentations is that they stay on the Internet. If you forget your computer or your USB the day you are supposed to present, you should not worry because it is in you gmail account. In fact I want to share with you my first google presentation. To read it click here.

Professor Shade also taught me how to use linked in. This website is actually more useful than I thought. I really enjoyed having someone coming over to our class to give us a wider explanation on how to use it. After that I was eager to start my account and to start looking for connections.

In conclusion I can say that this course went beyond my expectations not only for the great quality of professor that I got to have but also the great quality of content she taught to us.

Blog Assignment #2: Mobile Learning

I remember I was 7 years when I got my first phone. It was an old
Motorola Timeport L7089 like the one in the picture. I really did not have someone to call and honestly did not use it for anything else than play the games snake and falling numbers. Now that I am 20 I get to compare my first phone to my tablet and realise how much technology has improved and developed. They have become indispensable for us. I was born in El Salvador in Central America and I have also lived part of my life in Guatemala. Both of these countries are Spanish speaking countries. Coming to the U.S. would not be the same without my electronic device. My iPad has allowed me to download an app that translates words and sentences from english to spanish. This has helped me when I am writing essays and do not know how to say or write a word in english. Smart phones and electronic devices such as tablets provide innumerable applications that can be helpful for studies. These gadgets are not only reachable but also help the environment. One of my favorite applications is Kindle. I have been able to buy books to read on my iPad and since these books are not in paper the price is even cheaper. I would love to have all of my books from college on my iPad. That way it will not only be ecological but more easy to reach and I would not have to be carrying all those heavy books around campus. Only my iPad. If there is something I could recommend to professors to do it would be to make their students buy books that can be read on electronic devices.

Last but not least, one of the most amazing things about technology is youtube. I love the fact that I can have the youtube application on my iPad. I am musician and love to listen to music all the time. I specifically have an obsession with auditions from contests like American Idol, The Voice or the X Factor. I love to watch the auditions and discover new singers. To finish today´s post let me share with you my one of my favorite auditions so far. Even though he did not win the competition last season, I loved how emotive everything turned out. The story behind the choice of song is amazing. Take a look and have a wonderful day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra_iiSIn4OI

Thanks for stopping by.
Until next time,

Fabiola Rivas

Blog Assignment #1: Introduction

My  name is Fabiola Rivas. I am an international student at  California Baptist University and I´m currently majoring in Early Childhood Studies. I have had the opportunity to teach in the Kids Ministries at my church in Guatemala. I have always loved kids. It is because of my experience as a Sunday school class teacher that I decided to become a pre-school teacher. My dream is to go back to Central America and start a trilingual christian school. I want to be able to give and teach kids a good education like mine and also to be able to keep teaching them about God.

For me, it is very important that people understand what it means to be a christian. Christianity is not about a religion, but a lifestyle. Nowadays, people do not understand completely what it means to accept Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. When you are saved by the blood of Jesus, you understand that nothing is about you in this life, but it is all about Him. You are transformed by the creator of the Earth, because you understand it is Him who has saved you and lives inside of you. It is Him who has forgiven you for your sin. Finally, you understand the true meaning of grace, because you realise you do not deserve anything in this World, and just the fact that the only one who is perfect is giving you the chance to be someone, but not anyone, His child, makes you want to give it all to Him and for Him. It makes you want to be more like Jesus. That´s what christianity is about. The younger someone understands it and decides to live it, the better.