Blog 17: Third Answer

1. EQ 

How can a software developer create applications that best me customers' needs?

2. Answer #3 (Write in a complete sentence like a thesis statement)

A software developer can best create applications that best meet customers' need by actively keeping up to date with technology and continually learning new technological subjects.

3. Details to support the answer (a detail is a fact and an example)

• "Technology changes fast. Don’t get left behind."; A quote from Clint Shank, an author of programming and technology topics. Technology changes constantly and new platforms and internet browser versions are constantly becoming apparent in use. Therefore, in order to to best make an application for a customer, one should learn what the latest technology is and whether one should learn previous versions of software. Either way, the developer must continually learning new subjects, new or old, regardless of past experience to design something catered directly towards customer's needs.
• Software being updated at a steady rate; From my research, I have found that the languages change quite often and certain things from earlier versions become less applicable or unusable in new versions. For example HTML5 being updated recently and the change from C++ to C#. These differences should be known in order to know what can, and cannot, be created.
• Knowing how to use software that is new to you; One example of this is my experience from mentorship where I was learning how to create Oracle database tables and use the PL/SQL Developer to retrieve, delete, add, and update data in the tables. In addition, I learned how to use ColdFusion programs to work with databases as well. I found that learning databases as well as the tool is very important. In the future, ideas and concepts such as these should be learned, if previously unknown to the developer.

4. The research source(s) to support your details and answer

Boehm, Anne and Delamater, Mary. Murach's ASP.NET 4.5 Web Programming with C# 2012 5th Edition. Fresno, CA: Mike Murach & Associates, Inc., 2012. Print. 14 Feb., 2015.

Carr, James R. "Computer Programming in the 21st Century: Quo Vadis?" University of Nevada Reno. Web. Aug. 8, 2014. <http://www.uh.edu/~jbutler/anon/carr.html>

Jollymore, Amy. "7 Ways to Become a Better Programmer in 2014." O'reilly Radar, Jan. 1, 2014. Web. Aug. 25, 2014. <http://radar.oreilly.com/2014/01/7-ways-to-be-a-better-programmer-in-2014.html>

5. Concluding Sentence

 Technology is always changing and it is a developer's responsibility to keep up with technology to best carter to the changing market and medium in which they make applications. Continuous learning of these new pieces of information will not only help to optimize the application in the best way possible for all users, but it will also help to manage and organize data and code. Therefore, keeping up to date with technology is a way that software developers can best meet customer's needs.

Blog 11: Holiday Project Update

1.  It is important to consistently work on your senior project, whether it is break or we are in school.  What did you do over the break with your senior project?

Over the senior break, I went over with my mentor my independent component, Jason Internet Information System (JIIS) that is based off of the Financial Reporting System (FRS) that is used in the LA county. She described the procedure of what customers and programmers do do achieve the final product and listed out the steps and procedure I should take in order to complete it. In addition to meeting with my mentor, I also spent time over the break to create the opening logo for JIIS. I also started learning HTML with the book that my mentor gave me to help guide me on how to make websites.

2.  What was the most important thing you learned from what you did, and why?  What was the source of what you learned?

From what I did, the most important thing I leader was the HTML from the book as it not only taught me the code, but it also clarified certain aspects of the internet for me, such as describing what web servers were and how the basic concept of IP addresses and URL's.

3.  If you were going to do a 10 question interview on questions related to answers for your EQ, who would you talk to and why?

If I were to interveiw someone for my EQ, I would either talk to my mentor or to someone that works at my mentor's job. The reson I think this is because my EQ is centered on creating something for an intended purpose for others to use. At my mentor's work, customers are continually giving what are known as "service requests" to the programmers to create different web applications. If I ask my mentor directly, or one of the people who work there, they can answer based off of their prior experience in something the customers, or generally, the user base, what they want.

Blog 10: EQ

1. Review this. Confirm by stating "I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ."

Essential Question
Once a topic is chosen, the student will develop a working essential question. The purpose of the working essential question is to help the student build a strong foundation of research which will allow him or her to create an essential question that encourages depth and rigor in the chosen topic. An essential question must:

Provide a framework for studies (It calls for breadth and depth of research, Is not a yes/no question)
Take a stance (It allows you to argue some point, Cannot be a recitation of facts or a list)
Format (It is specific, The wording makes sense)

I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2. Review the following EQs and

Tell us if each meets the rule of three.
Tell why they do or don't. 

a. What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

Does not meet rule of three

Research is not in depth; can find information to this question with a google search.

Not specific on what "healthy weight loss" is

Answers can be given as a word or as a list (e.g. going on a diet, exercising, sleeping well, ect.)

b. What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

Meets the rule of three

Format is specific on the topic of "securing a conviction"

Allows research to be in depth towards finding what is "most important" to securing a conviction.

Answer can take a stance on what is most important, answer is larger than just a one word answer since securing a conviction is complex

c. What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

Does not meet rule of three

Not specific on what customer sanctification is.

Format is ambiguous and confusing; is it asking what is most important in actually doing the customer's hair or developing a style suited to the customer'd interests?

Research can be in depth, but the topic being researched about needs to be clear first.

d. How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

Meets the rule of three

Gives frame work of study to figure out the best way to treat chronic pain

Specific on the topic of chronic pain

Allows stance on what methods and ways can BEST treat the pain, not just simply treating it

3. Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project. The senior team will be meeting with students shortly for EQ revision and approval; you are expected to bring your research notebook to that meeting with your EQ draft written inside in pencil.

How can an individual become a successful computer programmer in the 21st century?

Blog 8 - Research and Working EQ

(Apparently I posted something similar to this already in September's Extra blog)

1.  What is your working EQ?

How can an individual become a successful computer programmer in the 21st century?

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format. 

• Have a clear understanding of the specifications of a program
• Continuous learning of new skills and languages as technology changes with time
• Good communication, planning, and responsibility with the team you work with
• Have a solid foundation of programming knowledge in studying algorithms, knowing many languages, and practicing over a long period of time

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?

The most important sources that has helped me to come up with and answer to my EQ has been my mentor and my own experiences so far. From what my mentor says and from what she does, I came up with the answers "Have a clear understanding of the specifications of a program" and "Have a solid foundation of programming knowledge in studying algorithms, knowing many languages, and practicing over a long period of time." I developed these answers due to my mentor stating that the programming field is a "Life-time learning experience" where one would have to continually learn how to operate or use new forms of technology. This is similar to what Clint Shank, a writer of technological subjects, once said:

"Technology changes fast. Don't get left behind."

However, although this is a very viable answer, my mentor is continuously telling me that learning developing takes a large amount of time, and with that too comes a large amount of time to learn languages. I have also read in an article that in order to master a programming language, which means to have an understand and a feel for the advantages and disadvantages the languages in certain situations, one must dedicate a large amount of time using, practicing, and learning the language. However, sometimes with the demand of the programming workplace for new projects, there may not be enough time for complete mastery of a programming language. It can be possible that just knowing how to use a program effectively maybe enough for the company's needs. I will need to look into this more. As for algorithms, which are ways to solve programs and identify the time it will take a program to find a solution, my mentor said that if you have a solid foundation, one would be very good in programming and figuring out what to do when a program runs into problems. 

The answers "have a clear understanding of the specifications of a program" and "good communication, planning, and responsibility with the team you work with" are derived more from my own experiences. The understanding of specifications, or the understanding of what the program is used for and what will be required of it, is very apparent in the independent component I am working on right now. My mentor gave me a list and explained to me the many requirements I must have on the website I will be making and I observed the immense detail in what needs to be required. She stated that in the workplace, employees are given sheets like this to work on and that everything must meet these requirements and cannot deviate from what is said to do. Therefore, one must understand the specifications very deeply. I will be experiencing more of this as I continue on the component.

That answer also relates to the next answer, but in a different way. "Good communication, planning, and responsibility with the team you work with" came from how I sat with my mentor to work out the exact requirements and specifications of what I needed to include in the website. She stated that whenever some one gives her, or anyone else, a service request (a request to develop something for a customer), they must sit down with the customer to talk about specific detail of what they want, what they need, and whether their request is reasonable in the stated time span. Also, a topic in many different articles I have read emphasize communication of your thoughts through code as well as the communication with others. The articles also emphasize planning to have organization with workers. My mentor even has a sheet that lists the specific duties of members. Therefore, planning and communication is vital as well. (I also inferred this from group work in iPoly, although this is not related to programming.)

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you doing mentorship, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

My mentor is my mom, Lily Wu, who helps to teach me how things are done at her workplace. It relates to my EQ since what she teaches me and is having me to for my Independent Component #1 is based on her own, current experience as a successful 21st century programmer. Therefore, what she tells me and what I learn from her all related to my EQ, "How can an individual become a successful computer programmer in the 21st century?" This mentorship is a direct source of information towards answering my EQ.

Blog 5 - Mentorship Reflection

Based on what you have done for your senior project so far, answer the following questions (be specific and use examples).

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship?  If you haven't found one yet, describe your experience so far in the search of a mentor.

My mentor is my Lily Wu - my mom. Having her as my mentor is very convenient since she lives with me and I talk to her almost everyday. I found this to be very lucky since my interest is in the same field as what she does for work. She was willing to take the time to teach me computer programming and, because of my explanation of the project, she knows my EQ and the goal of this mentorship component - to learn practical skills in the real world that is not regularly provided in school course work. Once she understood these things, she taught me what she does, what is required of programmers in her field of work, how to program, and has given me input on my current EQ.

2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why?

The most important article I have read so far is "Computer Programming in the 21st Century: Quo Vadis?" which is a compilation of many writings of authors in the programming field. This article not only pertains directly to my working EQ, "How can an individual become a successful computer programmer in the 21st century?" but it also outlines and summarizes possible answers towards this question. In addition, it also gives me a general direction of what I should study such as 'problem solving' or 'continuous learning.' This article has helped me advance greatly in my senior project. Therefore, I feel that this is the most important article I have read so far.

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ

1.  List your topic here: 

Computer Programming

2.  Write a question that helps to focus your research this month.

How can a person become a successful computer programmer in the 21st century?

3.  Post the working bibliography (WB) on the right hand side of the blog and share it so anybody can view it.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gbpYaCiCrApm52MtwhHtHRA--ZTPvj4OTNjefpiYfuU/edit#gid=0

Blog 1: 2-Hour Presentations

1. What presentations did you see?

The following is a list and a brief description of the senior projects I saw over the past 2 weeks:

05/21/14 - Block 1 

Lupe Lara, Music Performing and Promoting:

- Concentrated on the best way to engage an audience during a performance
- Went into detail of singing techniques, voice tones, and overall performing tips

05/21/14 - Block 2 

Krystal Lam, Editorial Publishing:

- Explored the different ways of making a quality yearbook that can incorporate design and content with the overall feel of the school
- Described general design, photography, and teaching techniques and how they are used in yearbooks everywhere

05/21/14 - Block 3

Viviana Bravo, Photography Galleries:

- Went over the best possible way to bring viewers to an art gallery during an event. 
- Showed what is done with the art is played and how to get the word out of the gallery to the general public.

05/22/14 - Block 1 

Carlos Cerrillos, Information Technology:

- Focused on using technology to market real estate companies
- Taught how technology is used, what it can provide to a company, and how to integrate it into marketing

05/22/14 - Block 2 

Patrick Montoya, Video Game Graphic Design:

- About the box art of video game and how to get gamers to buy their product  from their boxes alone
- Went over the demographics and design of games box art

05/22/14 - Block 3 

Brian Cabantug, Software Development:

- Presentation was on the use of different codes used to code mobile applications and explored which ones were the best one
- Displayed different codes such as HTML5, Java, and Command C

05/23/14 - Block 1 

Study Hall, Mr. Hedman's Classroom No Presentation:

05/23/14 - Block 3 

Bradley Schott, Computer Science:

- Presented on making mobile applications and what to do to get the application to be used
- Taught about elements that should be included to provide the most enjoyment and most usability for uses of an applications

05/27/14 - Block 1 

Angel Arredondo, Angioplasty:

- I was not present for this presentation

05/27/14 - Block 2 

Isaac Salas, Engineering:

- Was about traffic and how engineering can be use to help relieve road congestion
- Gave information about different road aspects and different kinds of transportation other than automobiles that are used elsewhere

05/28/14 - Block 1 

Daniel Gamboa, Electrical Engineering:

- Talked about what is most important when repairing and dealing with power lines
- Identified what things are safety hazards and how to spot them

05/28/14 - Block 2 

Vanessa Pacheco, Marketing Management:

- Explored the best way to market a product or service to consumers
- Identified marketing terms in competition and what companies can and should do to make their product stand out.

05/28/14 - Block 3 

Brandon Beghtol, Information Technology:

- Showed how databases worked and how to support small businesses with technical support
- Taught the general needs and interests of small businesses and how to set up technology to support them

05/29/14 - Block 1 

Alfonso Esquivel, Internal Medicine:

- Dealt with the symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease and the best ways to cure them
- Showed how nutrition and surgery methods can be used to cure a person who has this disease

05/29/14 - Block 2 

Lionel Arellano, Computer Technical Services:

- Described the symptoms of damaged computes and how to fix them
- Gave information on the source of viruses and how to see computer symptoms and identify what type of issue it has

05/29/14 - Block 3 

Wesley Wu, Structural Engineering:

- Talked about what is most important in created  a stable structure
- Went over drawing schematics and the different types of structural supports 

2. What questions do you have that haven't been answered about the senior project? This can be about the senior project in general, any components or about a presentation topic you saw or what they said.

A question I have about the senior project is how many independent components are required and how to make a legitimate, independent component for us to do. In addition, if we were to make a component ourselves, how would we be graded on them since everyone's would be different in both difficulty and in relevance toward their topic.

In addition to independent component grades, my other question is how much impact our senior presentation grades will be on our overall grade for the year. I have heard that the senior presentation grade can possibly dictate what grade we will receive in all the other classes, but I want to confirm exactly how that works.

3. What has the most important part of the senior project based on what you are seeing in the 2-hour presentations?

The most important part about the senior project that I got from the presentations is to have an understanding of one's own topic to become essentially an expert in that field. Once this is achieved, it is almost like becoming like a mentor for the time span of the senior presentation. With understanding of the topic, which can be obtained through application of the information or doing in depth studies of the topic, one would be able to relay the information in an way that not only makes sense to the audience, but also in the way that the person's mentor had taught them as well. 

Understanding is the most important part of the senior presentation because understanding of the information gathered throughout the year is basically the foundation of the any project, especially for the senior project. Without understanding, it is highly unlikely that the person learned from the experience. Therefore, if one has a strong understanding of the acquired information throughout the year, their senior presentation at the end of the year will also be strong.

4. What topic are you considering doing and why?

The topic I am considering for my senior project is Computer Programming. The reason for this is because I plan on majoring in computer science when I get into college and I plan on working in a technological based field much like my parents who have careers in Computer System Analysis and Engineering. I feel that working on Computer Programming will help to prepare me not only for college, but for my future career as well. 

5. What are you doing for your summer mentorship?

Over the summer, I plan on mentoring with my mom at her workplace where they develop applications and manage databases for the court of the county of Los Angeles. As Computer System Analysts, they work within the court's system to help organize and make the data accessible to those who need court files. This will give me information on how database systems work and how different programming languages are used.