CST300: Module 2 Learning Journal Post

Part 1 : Review and Reflect Learning Strategy  (LINK)

This article thoroughly explains proven and effective strategy skills that have been used by a lot of successful high school and college students. While everyone learns differently and learns at different paces, this article covers a general guide on how students can be effective despite those differences.

After reading the article, I have realized some of my strengths and weaknesses. My strengths, for example, include making a schedule, being consistent, and putting in the time. However, my weaknesses include not being an active reader, not being an active note taker, and not having a good plan for studying.

I have come to realize that I mostly need to work on being more effective and smart with my study times. Usually, I go into my studies without a plan and try to finish the assignment, whether it be reading or quiz. By doing this, I realize that I don't retain as much information and I'm wasting a lot of time. To improve my study skills, I will need to start using the SQ3R method before starting each assignment to get more out of what I'm doing and why i am doing it which will in turn better reinforce my learning.

Part 2 : Preview Time Management Skills (LINK)

This website has a lot of great tools to help with time management and organization such as making an activity log, making a to-do list, and managing emails/files effectively. For one of the days this week, I made an activity log of my day and recorded each data file accordingly.

Part 3 : Project Management Basics (Video1) (Video2) (Video3)

Project management requires a lot of structure that differs from day to day operations of most companies. For example, projects are temporary, unique, and closed after finishing the objective. Projects also have a life cycle phases which include, initiating, planning, executing, monitoring/control process, and closing. A couple of different tools that one can use in managing a project are work breakdown structure and Gantt charts; a work breakdown structure is a hierarchical decomposition of the work to be done by a team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables by organizing and defining the total scope of the project while Gantt charts are bar charts that illustrates a project's schedule such as start/finish dates, terminal, and summary elements. 

Here is an example of a work breakdown structure of building a house. 

 

From https://www.workbreakdownstructure.com/

Here is an example of a Gantt chart which visualizes the entire scope of a project.

from https://blog.proofhub.com/gantt-charts-for-project-management-and-how-to-use-them-2101fc6a384f

Part 4 : Previous Capstones (Link)

Looking at the previous Capstone Projects I liked: 

1. Oceanside Library Home Delivery System

• What was type of the project?  
• This project digitized and simplified the checkout and delivery of library items after COVID restrictions made it difficult for people to go to the library and check out materials. 
  
• Was the project well done?  
• This project was very well done. The system created showed its ease of use for the UI so that a lot of people can learn it easily. 
  
• How do you like the presentation?  
• The presentation was well done, concise, and clearly presented. 
  
• Can the project and presentation be improved?    
• Implement a similar method for checking in/returning books back to the library.
  

2. Mirrored Fantasy (Game)

• What was type of the project?  
•  This was a game that differentiates itself form other MMORPGs.
  
• Was the project well done?  
• The project was very well done from top to bottom. From the art, level design, and game play mechanics, it was very well rounded. Looks like a lot of work was done considering it was only done by one person.
  
• How do you like the presentation?  
• The presentation was probably the best out of all of them because of clear the presenter spoke and how confident he was when talking about his project. 
  
• Can the project and presentation be improved? 
• Show more of the game play video and have more time to develop everything that the developer wanted.   

3. SimpliFit (App)

• What was type of the project?  
• This is an app that helps people perform routine workout exercises.
  
• Was the project well done?  
• This project was well done and well thought out. 
  
• How do you like the presentation?  
• The presentation was very well put together and the presenter sounds very clear and adamant about the topic. 
  
• Can the project and presentation be improved?    
• The design of the project is weak. the colors and background don't match anything and the font choice and layouts are very primitive.
  

Part 5 : Things I've learned this week

Along with the above points, I have also learned a lot this week.  I have learned about the increased trajectory of higher skilled jobs which are replacing lower skilled jobs, increased technological trends that are appearing in 2021 such as widespread use of cloud services, and increased knowledge in project management and how to be able to manage a project in a cost effective and timely manner (New Rules - Thomas Friedman, Trends in Computing 2021, Introduction to Project Management). 

I have also learned how to do a proper peer review following guidelines set. This is a beneficial skill to have in order to become a better writer and to help your peers become a better writer as well.