CST300: Module 3 Learning Journal Post

3.1 Time Management and Study Strategies (Link)

This week I have realized that I was not very efficient in my studies. Often times, I find myself getting easily distracted while I am studying such, as checking my phone or Googling random thoughts that pop into my head, and I have slowly been losing track of the study schedule I have put forth in the beginning of class. To help with my concentration and time management tips, I will try to apply the following tips for this week. 

Concentration: To better focus, I will need to stick to a small study routine. I think I was overzealous when I told myself that I would be studying for long periods of time but doing that only made me lose focus. Also, I need to study in a quieter area. During normal circumstances, I would be studying at a coffee shop or library but with COVID and everyone being home, it has been hard to find my own quiet space to study. 

Time managements: In order to be more effective in managing my time, I need to learn to prioritize my studying. I have been more laid back this week because and not starting my assignments on the first day. I just need to realize that even if i study for one hour per day, it's better than not studying at all. I need to make a mini schedule and just block off times for studying instead of meticulously planning out my day minute by minute because I don't work that way. Lets hope that next week is a lot better. 

3.2 Lecture Readings & Activities 

3.2.1 Module 3 Intro

This week's intro videos gave a brief overview about what we are going to do this week; describing/analyzing CS curriculum, creating an individual learning plan, reflecting on ethics, and learning about project management. 

3.2.2 Module 3 Lecture

Readings :

• What a Computer Science Major Needs to Know
• Review Program Policies - Enrollment and Grade Policies
• Basics of professional ethics in Computer Science  
• Project Management (Skim 1 Hour) (Links to an external site.)
• Ethical consideration of AI (TED) 

This weeks module presents different articles related to topics that a computer scientist should know and study. Along with different software engineering courses such as data structures and algorithms, computer scientists should also have a resume, have technical communication skills, have good core mathematical and physics background, have a Unix philosophy (focusing on abstraction and composition), have multiple languages studied under their belt, and many other things. 

This weeks module also introduces the topic of ethics. Ethics, the difference between right and wrong, is one of the main issues that affect a company's view on its stake holders. Some ethical issues include privacy (tradeoffs between security and privacy), inclusive (how computers are not reachable to certain groups and populations). This module helped me become more aware of the issues that plague the technological world and how to combat it. 

Along with Ethical Issues, there are other issues at hand such as cultural, environmental, and legal issues. Environmental issues include how technology affects physical and mental health and how technology affects the planet as energy/resource demands continue to increase. Cultural issues include how technology changes the way people interact (social media), changes the way people work/employment (automation), and changes the way cultures get displaced (globalism). Legal issues include cyber security (hacking), and copyright infringements (Intellectual Properties). 

3.2.3 Module 3 Writing Lab

This week's paper is about an ethics argument in which the argument is both supported and disputed. This paper seems interesting as I have some ideas that I want to write about such as automation and artificial intelligence.