Review and Reflect Learning Strategy
Top 3:
- Study scheduling - In the past I've gotten into a routine for each course of when I study. Having a dedicated time helps not only me, but also others in my family, and thus allows me to really focus on my work. Also, after a short while with the schedule, I start studying/working a lot more effortlessly.
- Reading - I feel I'm fairly good about reading efficiently and learning and understanding as I read
- Surveying on exams and answering easy questions first - This strategy is very efficient for me on exams. It allows me to focus and spend more relaxed time on harder questions
Bottom 3:
- Note taking consistently is hard for me. I seem to fluctuate from actively taking notes to not taking notes. I think I definitely feel I'm more apt to take notes properly when I'm less stressed and feel as though I have more time
- Using index cards. I've always found it frustrating to create and use index cards as a study tool. I find I might use them once, but have a hard time going back to them
- Study location. I often end up studying on the couch after kids are asleep, but it's still easy to get distracted by other things going on around the home.
Preview Time Management Skills
Project Management Basics
The videos presented in the project management basics section were all about projects and how to manage projects.
The first video defined what exactly a project is, an endeavor which can be broken up into cycles, that has a defined beginning and end. It also went over things that can cause a project to fail, such as mismanagement of time, money, scope, and quality. The role of the project manger is to help solve these problems and keep the project on track.
The second video was an overview on the work breakdown structure. It showed how to break down a project into deliverables that a team can execute on. Which is the point of a project, to produce a deliverable. Overall, the key is to break down work into smaller and smaller 'work packages' as to keep individuals and teams focused on things that need to get done.
The third video covered Gantt charts, a type of bar chart that is a visualization of project management. It helps illustrate a projects schedule with start and end dates of individual task or efforts.
Check Out Previous Capstones
Pick at least three presentations, and keep an entry in your learning journal on your reflection, such as (but not limited to) what was type of the project? was the project well done? how do you like the presentation? can the project and presentation be improved?
Mirrored Fantasy
Mirrored Fantasy is a multiplayer online battle area type game. It's a video game designed to be played by multiple people over the internet against one another. The project was well done, especially for a single developer. The presentation was great, they went into a lot of detail about how and why they made choices they did. Not only that, but they also discussed issues that came up and how they resolved them.
Like a Camera
Like a Camera is a teaching website using interactive tools to teach users about different photography topics such as aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and how control of them helps to take a great photo. The project was very well done, it was a great interface to give live feedback on how adjustments to those photography settings will effect the photo. The presentation was clear and they did a good job explaining the learning process they went through. I thought it was also interesting they included feedback they've gotten about Like a Camera and how the content on it was helpful.
Share Moor
Share Moor is a service that allows individual to share photos with one another without the need for third party applications. A host would run the Share Moor server and ask attendees to contribute photos they'd like to share so that others at the same event can have them. The project was well done, but I felt that it didn't cover all aspects of the taking and sharing photos problem scenario. For example, After sharing photos you've taken with Share Moor, you can then download photos that others have taken, but there's seemingly no way to exclude the photos you've contributed, so you'd get double images. Small issues like that cause end users to not want to use the solution, even if overall it provides a good service. The presentation was clear, easy to understand, and well done.
Week 2 Recap
This week's been a lot of work between finishing our essay draft, to reviewing 2 other essays. But, it's helped reinforce what makes a good essay, and how to help structure our own work. I think seeing previous student's capstone project presentations was a big help to understand how efforts in these CS online course build together to enable you to create such a project and presentation.
Hello Robert,
ReplyDeleteI think you have done a great job of keeping a work-life balance and managing your time well. During the weekdays, you have dedicated your mornings and evenings to spend time with your family. You also dedicate time every night to complete homework for the CS Online program. You have set aside some downtime by keeping Saturday entirely free, and given some time for homework on Sunday. In total, you have dedicated ~24 hours per week, which is more than enough. The only thing I would suggest, if you don't implement already, is to take breaks during the 4 hours you spend from 9pm-12am on weekdays. It is possible to get burnt out by working constantly for so long, especially considering that you have a full-time job.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Robert,
ReplyDeleteI think you have done well managing all of your schoolwork on top of a family. I have 4 kids at home, so I totally understand how hard it is to keep that balance. I, too, find myself studying after the kids go to sleep or, if I'm lucky, before they wake up. When it comes to finding a good place to study, I have found that setting up a corner that is clean and organized just for working can help a lot with staying focused. I notice that whenever I study at my desk, as opposed to on the couch or at the kitchen table, I'm far more productive. As a bonus, the family knows that I'm working if I'm at the desk and they are less likely to interrupt me for trivial things. As a side note, I find that even if I am studying at the table, wearing headphones gives me the illusion of being in a bubble and helps me not to lose focus.
This is Meagan Eggert, for whatever reason I'm having trouble with all of my comments only posting as anonymous.
DeleteHi Rob,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you have a really busy schedule. I'm a student living at home with my parents so I can't relate to how full your schedule is. It's impressive that you still spend the time to study and work on completing this program! I don't think you have to change anything if this time management schedule works well for you.