Reflections

This is the last teaching week of this semester which means the CIP exam is coming soon and this is sort of the end of the teaching in CIP. Will be doing a reflection on this module base on the questions.

1. Do you think the syllabus covered is appropriate? Is this what you expect in the module? If not, can you suggest what other useful topics to be included in CIP, OR what topics should not have been included at all (if any)?

The syllabus is appropriate. This is basically what I expected of this module. However, a topic that teaches us how to configure a network could be considered. For example, teaching students how to set up NPSTD and how to use its network services.


2. Are the workshops on MS Word, Powerpoint & Marcomedia Dreamweaver, Flash interesting & useful? Are these appropriate in developing your IT hands-on skills?

Yes, I find them interesting and useful, the basics taught enables me to futher explore into these programs so as to make better use of the programs. They are appropriate as what was taught is something my classmates and I really do not know even though we might have been using MS Word and Powerpoint for quite some time.


3. Are the PBL problems authentic enough for you to learn better? Does it provide an opportunity for you to work effectively in teams as well as develop problem solving skills?

Yes, the PBL problems are authentic and real for us to work on. It does not provide a lot of opportunity to work together as a team as problems given are easy to be divided into parts and make different people do different parts. Hence, little was needed on team work. It does helps me develop problem solving skills as I can only gather information from the sources, as to how to use them to solve the problems, I would have to think about it before using them to solve the PBL.


4. Are the lecturers and tutors helpful in your learning? Is the class size of 40 a good size for effective learning?

Yes, they are helpful. My tutor, Mrs Sun-Lee, is helpful. Whenever questions are asked, she tries her best to tell us what she knows as well as finding out more to inform us so as to give us a better understanding. Class size of 40 is appropriate for this module.


5. If there is 1 thing that you can change in CIP, what would it be?

More 'practical' things to be done during lectures and tutorials. Lecturers and tutors could show students actual process of certain things such as setting up a network or brings certain uncommon computer products so that students can have more exposure on such things instead of looking at them only in picture forms in textbooks and lecture slides.


6. If there is at least 1 useful thing that you can appreciate in CIP, what would it be?

I think if would be the workshops on MS Word, Powerpoint and Macromedia Dreamweaver and Flash. I have learnt much from the workshops, some of which I can apply though there are some I might not have a chance to use. I think that these workshops have helped me to make further use of these softwares. More could be done on Macromedia Flash though.


7. Other reflections.

I think that this module is not very taxing on the students. However, I would like it more if there would be no exams on this module. I would rather do more for tests and other workshop assessments than to have an examination. I think that CIP should be like BCA where we are tested more on the skills learnt. I think that CIP should adopt a continuous assessment basis.

Other than those mentioned above, I have enjoyed what I have learnt in this module and hope that in this world where IT has become more and more important to our lives, these skills can help me further. My interest in IT has also made this module very enriching for myself and hope that slightly more IT modules could be included in our modules.

Working on Problem 2

This week is Chinese New Year week. Anyway, back from Malaysia, now need to start working on finishing problem 2. Basically, my group was separated to do different things. I worked on doing the Biometrics part. It sounds quite boring initially. After doing some research, it is not that difficult. It is quite interesting to read about some of the research and development going on. The other parts of the problem seems to be quite interesting too. They are related to some problems we have but we seldom do so much research into it. So long as we managed to stop it, we are happy.

Hopefully, our problem 2 presentation could be alright.

Macromedia

Just handed up my dreamweaver and flash project last week. Hopefully, it was well done. Anyway, it was quite interesting to do the project as we were not really taught in details but were left to explore the functions after we were taught some of the basics.

I started out with the website. I was generally quite simple as you can roughly see the design before it is published. Hence, there is no need for knowledge on html codes. The pages required would enable us to use most of the basic functions of Dreamweaver. Some of the more interesting thing I have learnt is flash buttons and using anchors to create links within a page.

As for doing flash, I had some difficulties initially trying to insert the tweens. However, after a few tries, I managed to use both the shape tween and motion tween. As I this is my first time using it, I do not have must idea about the other functions. Hence, I only managed to do a very simple flash for the project.

This project has heleped me learned some basics of using dreamweaver and flash. Hopefully, I can use it in future.

End of Problem 1 Presentation

This week was our presentation week. Everything was pretty alright. Some of the groups was good with their presentation as they put in more illustrations than ours. The presentation process made us nervos but we were glad that everything is over. The only thing left is to submit everything into Mel, including our reflections which I just completed yesterday.

I have learnt a couple of things about networking and hope to learn more in this semester.

Choosing Things Needed

Today we had problem 1 preparation. We were required to do our presentation. In the process of doing, there are many things that we need to consider. We need to see the price and the system as well. Explaining our choices is important as well. Should be able to complete it by this week. Presentation for my group is at 2.50 next week. Hopefully everything turns out alright.

New Beginning

Will be using this blog to record events and things relating to this module in level 1.1. A new semester. Have to work on Problem 1 currently. Will be preparing the presentation around next week and actual presentation begins the week after next. Hope to complete it on time.