Introduction to Me

A Little About Me

Hello! My name is Anna Van Winkoop and I was born in Calgary, Alberta. My mother, father and I moved to Kenosee Lake, Saskatchewan when I was 18 months old, and we have lived there ever since. I have one younger sister, who just completed her first year of engineering at the University of Saskatchewan, and we have 2 family pets; a 10-year-old beagle and a 3-year-old yellow lab.

I am 21 years old and currently completing my fourth year of university studies. I was initially accepted at the University of Regina into the Faculty of Science with an undeclared major in Fall 2020. After completing my first year of studies I transferred into the pre-professional program with hopes of becoming an optometrist. In January 2022, I transferred to the Faculty of Education as I had finally decided what I wanted to become when I was older. I am now working on completing my final course requirements, with my internship remaining in the Fall 2024 semester.

For the past 7 summers, I have worked at the Club 19 Restaurant at Golf Kenosee. I started out working in the kitchen washing dishes. As the years went on I moved up to prep-cooking. Once I turned 19 I was finally able to serve, bartend and work the beer cart out on the golf course. My father is the superintendent of Golf Kenosee, so growing up I spent a large majority of my time around the course.

My Experience with Educational Technology

My experience with educational technology began during my first year of university at the University of Regina. As a student in the Faculty of Science, I was introduced to various educational technologies that enhanced my learning experience. From online learning platforms to digital simulations, I found these tools to be invaluable in helping me grasp complex scientific concepts.

During my time in the pre-professional program, I continued to explore educational technology, especially as it related to my future career as an optometrist. I found that interactive software and virtual labs allowed me to gain practical experience and develop crucial skills that will benefit me in my future profession.

Upon transferring to the Faculty of Education, my interest in educational technology deepened. I became more aware of the importance of integrating technology into the classroom to enhance learning outcomes. I have explored various educational tools, such as interactive whiteboards, and educational apps, to create engaging and interactive lessons for students.

During my internship in the Fall 2024 semester, I plan to further explore educational technology and its impact on student learning. I am excited to incorporate innovative teaching methods and technology into my classroom to create a dynamic and engaging learning environment for my students.

My Thoughts on Blogging

Although I have never had a personal blog, I have some experience with blogging through various university classes. While I wouldn’t consider myself an avid blogger, I have found it to be a valuable tool for reflecting on my learning experiences and sharing my thoughts with others. I have primarily used Edusites for blogging, and I find it to be an intuitive platform that allows me to easily organize and share my thoughts. While I may be a reluctant blogger, I recognize the value of blogging as a means of self-expression and communication, and I am open to exploring it further in the future. My previous blog posts from other classes can be found here.