Gantt Chart Update

(Author's work)

 Hello everyone!

Today I finished my blog and here is an updated Gantt chart which I was using since I introduced it to you. I have added new tasks and as you can see, I had a very busy last weeks of the term. Task with software was most intense as I started it later than it was planned and was left with only weekend to complete the task, however, I made it on time. Last task for myself I added revision of the work as per previous experience I know that it must to be done and it is better to include it in your project plan. I will have to submit this project on 8th of December and deadline for revision is sixth of December, just to be sure that in case of any 'emergency' I will have time to make any changes. Otherwise, I'm ahead of the plan what gives me more time for revision. Can't stress enough of how important this last step is!

Academic paper summary

 

This paper aims to describe positive and negative impact m-learning has on education. It states that m-learning is a teaching and learning system of metods  developed from e-learning with even more advantages and improvements. Social learning is adopting in ways such as unlimited online courses and blended learning models where student learning material is available online and time in classrooms are spend for discussions and exercises. It is popular due to its accessibility, portability, universality, flexibility and so on. Fighting against it is unnecessary, as it seems correct platform and way to educate generations which was born and grow in so called 'technology world'. Based on research results, in period 2013-2017 mostly were published articles with advantages of mobile learning. However, with all advantages there are still some disadvantages such as technical issues, incompatibility with social and cultural norms and unfamiliarity with mobile technologies. Some of disadvantages appears due to m-learning being new to education and more time is needed to learn how to effectively use this tool for greater benefits. Regardless of negative aspects, m-learning soon might not be an option to choose and will be used in all educational institutions. Focus should stay on how to improve and adjust m-learning to receive all benefits it can bring (Criollo-C, Luján-Mora  and Jaramillo-Alcázar, 2018)

References

Criollo-C, S. Luján-Mora, S. and Jaramillo-Alcázar, A. (2018) "Advantages and Disadvantages of M-Learning in Current Education" 2018 IEEE World Engineering Education Conference (EDUNINE), pp. 1-6, DOI: 10.1109/EDUNINE.2018.8450979.

Software functionalities and an example of creating a to-do list

(1)

In Outlook you can exchange emails, create contacts, segregate those contacts in groups such as family, work and there are many more useful, also, standard functions email application has. But I want to show an example of functions a lot of people do not use even if it is very handy. Recently, we were learning about time management and its impact on students. In Outlook you can create a to-do list, manage it, categorise, add to your calendar, set reminder and so on ( Boyce, 2010).

In Outlook you can exchange emails, create contacts, segregate those contacts in groups such as family, work and there are many more useful, also, standard functions email application has. But I want to show an example of functions a lot of people do not use even if it is very handy. Recently, we were learning about time management and its impact on students. In Outlook you can create a to-do list, manage it, categorise, add to your calendar, set reminder and so on.

(2)

As I mentioned, to-do list icon is available on the top of the right corner next to the setting option. When pressed new tab will appear with to-do list. Here, as you can see on the photo number 2, opens easy to use time management tool. You can create lists for studies and daily life. All tasks can be categorised by adding hashtag, labelled, moved, added to the calendar, set a reminder, deadlines and so on. This amazing function of Outlook is very helpful for anyone with busy lifestyle.

(3)

As an example, on the picture 3 you can see I added category DMU. I created a task  by pressing on option 'Add a task' , and steps I must complete. Steps can be added or removed on the right side window.Also, there can be set a reminder for the next day, task can be  labelled and added to the Outlook calendar. By clicking on circle next to the task it will be marked as completed, however, it is reversable. 

References

Boyce, J. (2010) Microsoft Outlook inside out. Microsoft Press. Available at: Microsoft Outlook 2010 Inside Out - Jim Boyce - Google Books (Accessed:1 December 2022)

Software (Overview)

 Hello!

In this post I will describe Outlook software provided to students by DMU. I chose it as it is widely used by students and tutors on a day-to-day basis and not everyone is aware of how useful this app can be. In diagram below you can see what exactly is included in Microsoft office student plan.

(Author's work)

However, Outlook as you can see, is a part of Microsoft office product 'family'. It is a software used for communication, personal information management and time management. You can send and receive emails, create meetings, appointments, and tasks (Student skills hub, 2022).

References

Student skills hub (2022) Available at: https://library.dmu.ac.uk/ms365/outline (Accessed: 1 December 2022).

Primary Research Questionnaire (General question analysis)

This post will analyse data from general questions on questionnaire about software application (app) usage. As from previous post, we are looking on mainly unemployed male students. Small percentage of participance were female or employed students, however, all of them will be included in this study.

First question was if participants use software educational applications such as Brilliant. 41.7% (5 people) answered no, however, 58.3% (7 people) said yes. Next, we will look at possibility to be distracted while using applications. As you can see from the chart only one person was very unlikely to be distracted while using applications. Meaning, mostly people get distracted, perhaps with side apps, messages, calls and so on.

(Author's work)

Chart below shows how often and how many platforms are being used. Mostly applications are being used every day or every other weekend. Quantity of educational apps vary.

(Author's work)

Next two questions were about increased screentime, are they familiar with this term and do they know the effect of it. Shockingly, five people did not know what increased screentime mean, and three did not know the impact of it. You can see results in chart below. It could mean that people are not informed enough about consequences increased screentime has and can’t prevent it from happening.

(Author's work)

As mostly in this study participated people from Generation Z, results are alarming. Generation who was born in time when technologies were already invented and increasing in popularity at some point unavoidable, these results show that there must to be lack of warnings in increased usage of devices.

Primary Research Questionnaire (Demographic question analysis)

In this post I will analyse demographic questions such as age, gender, employment and education, from my questionnaire about software applications and its impact.

Firtsly, age. People who participated were in age from under 18 to 35. Majority of participiants we will look at are Generation Z, (Born between 1997 & 2012).

(Author's work)

In diagram below you can see that mainly man took part in questionnaire.

(Author's work)

(Author's work)

On question about employment status answers vary, three people answered that they are students, which could be understood as unemployed. However, employed are only 4 people from 12. 

Last demographical question was about education, specifically, if participants are students. As you can see in chart below, majority are students and two preferred not to share this information.

(Author's work)

By analysing this section, people who participated are mainly male students in working age and most of them unemployed. 

Diagram 2

In this post, with help of diagram, I want to show how individual are different programming language syntax.

 (Author's work)

On diagram you can see how to write "Hello, World!" in Python versus Java.

I mentioned in initial idea 2 post, differences in purpose of programming languages also it's dissimilar syntax. Python is straight forward, clear code, easy to read, however, Java language might be more difficult to understand. For example, in Python word (native function) "print" tells system to print specific message written in brackets followed, in Java you have to write println, ln stands for line, to print message on the screen. Small details but very important to write code without syntax errors.

Primary Research Questionnaire (Google forms)

I have been working on questionnaire to gather data from students about software applications. I used Google forms to create questions and analyse them afterwards. I will post my findings in next few posts.

(Author's work)

On the picture above you can see how my questionnaire looks like. On the top of the form are setting options where you can manage response presentation and so on. Google forms are easy to use, every question can be adjusted, moved, deleted. Also, you can choose style/type of answers (see picture below).

(Google forms)

As you can see, it is straight forward. Theme can be changed choosing photo from their library or by uploading your own from device. Google forms are free of charge. 

Diagram 1

 Have a look at the diagram related to my major project, created at diagrams.net. 

(Author's work)

Diagram shows advantages and disadvantages of using software educational applications. I made it to help reader visualise information described in my major project. Without reading trough all text redaer can understand impacts of apps on students by analysing this diagram. It is great tool to use in projects, presentations and so on. 

Shortly about diagrams.net. In this website you can create diagrams for free, choose diagram frame from multiple designs given on website or create your own, also, download diagram frame from other websites such as flaticon.com and adjust them in diagrams.net.

(diagrams.net)

Website is practical and easy to use. On the left side you can chose shapes.

 (diagrams.net)                                                                                             

And on the right side are given options to adjust colours, size, insert text, adjust diagrem style.

Computer Ethics

Hi there!

Let’s talk about the Computer Ethics, about the rules you must follow.

Computer ethics most appropriate for my project are to not interfere with other people’s computer works. It’s very common to send computer viruses via link. As well it is important to remember to not spread false information.

In my opinion, all points of computer ethics are important. It is important to know and follow the rules to not bring harm with your knowledge and skills. 

World of the internet is changing so fast, it's unbelievable. It's hard for legislation to keep up with it, however, it is improving, and more safety plans has been put in place. We can clearly see that in the banking process, login process and so on. Most of the websites now offer extra security for users, many ways of verification. Bank will let you know as soon as something suspicious will happen to your account.

Introduction

      ( Adobe stock, 2022)

About my choice of university and my future plans... 

I chose DMU because I live in Leicester, and I like this city as it is multicultural, and I am feeling here welcomed. DMU is offering many different courses and I decided to study Computer science. In this course we will have optional third year modules, including: Advanced Web development, Privacy and data protection, Fuzzy logic, and inference systems. If i would be asked to choose now, I would pick Fuzzy logic and inference, as it's going well with data science.  On more reason why I chose DMU is because it's offers to international students’ year in college, which, basically, prepares you for the university. How amazing is that!!! I have opportunity to not only improve study skills but boost my confidence too. In DMU I will gain knowledge in Computer science as well as I will learn other very useful study skills such as problem-solving skills, self-discipline, note taking and so on. These skills I can use beyond my education. After finishing this course, I will take a break and travel, ideally, I plan to visit 6 countries in 6 months, in one go.  

References

Images – browse 13 stock photos, vectors, and video (no date) Adobe Stock. Available at: https://stock.adobe.com/uk/search?filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aphoto%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aillustration%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Azip_vector%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Avideo%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Atemplate%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3A3d%5D=1&filters%5Bcontent_type%3Aimage%5D=1&order=relevance&safe_search=1&limit=100&search_page=1&search_type=see-more&acp=0&aco=introduc&serie_id=478133376&get_facets=0 (Accessed: October 29, 2022). 

Welcome!

Welcome to My Space.

My name is Sandra. I'm originally from Latvia and I moved to the UK to study computer science. I'm interested in app development and recently I discovered data science very gripping. I haven't decided yet in what exactly I will dive in to, but I still have time for that. I'm here to explore and chose what suits me best.  

My hobbies are running, kickboxing, reading and traveling. Race I entered and I'm most proud of is Samworth Brothers Charity challenge, where teams from all around the UK was rising money for their chosen charity and at the end, we all had a chance to win more money, what would be added to our charity fund, by completing 10-hour long race. It was a huge project, very tough race, many organisations were involved and at the end, we all together raised over 2 million pounds.

Here in DMUIC I have an opportunity to prepare myself for studies in university, gain more skills and it gives me time to finalise my decision about studies.

I have a degree in Retail science and for a good 10 years I was into food industry, but computing was always on my mind. 

(Author's work)

Major project plan

 Hello all!

Planning, planning, planning....

It is important in any project to make a plan, have it to set up a deadlines, follow the progress.

For my major project I was writing down steps which I needed to complete as well as timing.

You can do it online, on the paper , you can choose any fancy way to do it but tehe idea is to keep track on your progress and to know exactly what you need to do.

As an example, see below my plan.

(Author's work)

I wrote it as it suits me, however, everyone has their own style. This word document was created by DMUIC and issued to us as a helping tool.