Extra Blog: JIIS

As the holidays continue to be moving along, my mentor and I met together to discuss the assignment JIIS, how I should work on it, and the procedure I should take in relation to the real work place. First of all, JIIS stands for "Jason Internet Information System" and is an assignment from my mentor to help me practice web application development. The JIIS is what I will be using as my independent component as the requirements and structure is closely modeled off of the Financial Reporting System (FRS) used in LA County.

Within the JIIS, the requirements consist of creating a logo, a login page, a banner and footer, links to different pages in the site, a welcome page, and under construction pages. The following is the sheet of current requirements for JIIS (Click to enlarge):

The JIIS Service Request Specifications

I will be making this with Microsoft Visual Studio Express 2012 and Photoshop for the graphics. Once I make these, I would need to get the approved by my mentor, as this is the procedure that the programmers and customers undergo. In the coming days, I will be learning HTML and CSS with my fancy book and will be creating the website and images.

Aside from Senior project, things I've been doing these past days consist of sitting at home, visiting my old, torn down school, moving rooms, searching for scholarships, and achieving exactly rank 10,000 in a video game (down from 7417). Hopefully this next year comes with great experiences as this our last winter break of mandatory school and our class will be moving towards college next year at this time. Cheers for the next year and the class of 2015!

Extra Blog: break;

[Note: I've done this blog 3 times now due to this Blogger phone app not doing what I want. This is either due to my inability to use phone apps properly, lack of a user friendly design, or the general lack of functionality phones can provide. I'd like to believe it's the last one on that list.]

As college appeoaches its finals week, my 5 hour, bi-weekly homework is finally coming to an end on Monday, Dec 1. What this means is that I will not only get a break from staying up till 3am, trying to finish half of what I'm supposed to accomplish, but that I will have more time to work on my independent component - creating a website using HTML, JavaScript, and a little bit of CSS. However, for the time being, I'm concentrating on finishing the last of this boring homework, writing this blog post, and, most importantly, finishing my UC application so I can submit it before Nov 30th when the UC servers get jammed.

As for my independent component, I am planning to first create a logo, then learn HTML formally through the use of my pretty HTML and CSS book, then design the layout of how I want it to look, and lastly, coding and testing it. I hope to get from this experience a clearer perspective of what a programmer does in the 21st century, what were some things that worked and did not work during this process, and whether my current answers will be stronger or weaker in answering mu EQ. But for the time being, I will (attempt to) enjoy my Thanksgiving break at Las Vegas - walking around during the day; sitting in my room and working on assignments at night.

[Another note: I can't put photos in here, so I can't really format this post with pictures in the way I want. I'll upload a picture here about this app. I don't really know where it will show.  Someone, or maybe in the near future, me, should make an actually intuitive word processing application for mobile phones. But who uses their mobile phones for anykind of seriously formal work? I certainly don't. *looks away from cell phone screen as I type this]

Photo caption: This interface is misleading. If you exit this program without clicking 'done' at the top left, your progress is all erased. It's basically a "save" button, so why not label it "save." I mean, what if I'm not "done" and I want to save? There's no option for that, is there?

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 #9: Lesson 1 Reflection

1. Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your Lesson 1 Presentation and why?

I am most proud of speaking exactly what I wanted to say at the pace I wanted to say. I had enough information planned to extend as far as 15 minutes or more, but I was able to quickly omit, speed up, and leave time for me to get all my points across in ten minutes. I am proud that I had enough preperation and knew my topic well enough to be able to do this.

2. Questions to Consider
       a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 1 Presentation (self-assessment)?

       AE/P

       b.     Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 1 component contract.

Professionalism:

• Volume/enunciation: Had clear volume and clear speech, fumbled over words a few times
• Body language/eye contact: Felt relaxed and move to the boards as I needed to. Looked as various places in the room and not just one spot
• Engages audience/content clarity: Engaged audience twice, used presentation method as an example in itself for my 1st answer, and clearly enunciated what I was going to talk about and what the purpose was for.

Justification of Foundation:

• Application of research made evident by referencing specific examples: Cited or showed about 10 examples of content through props and pictures.
• At least one published research cited: Mentioned 3 printed sources, 1 book, 2 internet articles
• Mentorship and/or interview referenced: Referenced mentorship twice, one for suggesting the book I read and one of her actual experience in the work place.

I deserve an AE/P because I met and went above and beyond the listed P requirements on the contract by doing extensive preparation, engaging the audience in meaningful exercises, and incorporating the presentation itself as actual content of my presentation (Answer to the EQ of having foundation knowledge; Teaching basic fundamental concepts in the presentation) while making this apparent to the audience. I also had fun teaching during my time up at the front of the room.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 1?

Getting the audience involved and getting multiple participants to answer questions. Also, content all related to each other and I was able to explain something complex in to simplistic terms the audience could relate to and understand. Also, the powerpoint worked to show examples of my topic, rather than containing content in itself. Knowing what I wanted to say and studying the topic thoroughly helped tremendously.

4.  (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 1?

What didn't work was the whole paste code on the white board with tape. It didn't work because it became too much of a hassle and would have wasted too much time. I had to skip part of putting the whole code up on the board. If I could go back and do something differently, I would have reminded myself that I could use technology to do that code, or that I could use the doc cam rather than big pieces of paper. Also, I would not use a powerpoint since I didn't really need it; I knew the examples and knew what I needed to say. I could have visually shown the examples on the doc cam, but I wasn't aware that I could use when I was planning for the lesson.

Extra Blog: if (today == "Monday") {

The days leading up to the First Lesson feels like time crawls by very slowly. I have a solid foundation of what I want to say, but other factors other than the senior project are currently pressuring me for next week (11/3 - 11/7). In addition to presenting my topic, I also have a midterm as well as a yearbook deadline on that exact same day. Also, that is when the UC application submission time opens up and I still need to (at the time of writing this) type out the essay to the 2nd UC prompt. However, despite this work that I got myself into (2 college classes, Yearbook, and UC applications), I still feel confident in my my 1st Lesson. The following text will be about what I generally plan to say and what my reasoning is for saying these things. Not only will this help me to organize my thoughts and organize what I have to say in my lesson plan (since it's too long anyways), but I can also complete this month's extra blog as well. Hooray for multitasking!

The hook I want to start off with is show pieces of technology that have become an essential part of our lives. I want to show things from super complex computers to minute programs such as the TI calculator. The goal of this is to get the audience to relate to what I have to say. I will then ask the audience what is in common with these different devices - what makes them run and do what they do. The answer will be Computer Programming. I will then state that this is what will influence society in the present as well as in the future.

Pictures I will use for the hook.

After, the hook, I will say the overly generic introduction everyone has to say: "My name is Jason Wu, my topic is Computer Programming, and my Working EQ is 'How can an individual become a successful Computer Programmer in the 21st century?'"

The main points I want to covering my presentation are "What is a Computer?" "What is Computer Programming and why is it important?" a class "activity" where I ask people what a block of code means, explain that block of code using code I will put on the white board, and my first answer to my essential question. Although it seems like a lot, I feel that doing this exercise helps to support my reasoning for my first answer not only in just stating facts, but in practice as well. Teaching people the basics of computers, programming, and simple code embodies my answer to "Have a solid foundation of programming knowledge in coding through practice"

I will state the question "What is computer programming?" and emphasize that in order to fully understand what it does, one must know what a computer is at a basic level first. My plan is to explain are computers are any kind of technology that interprets binary code into an action. This binary code, on or off, can be described in physical switches or electrical current flowing through wires. After this, I will go back to show examples of modern computers and applications that run on programs. An additional statement I will make, if I find I have enough time, would be how simple technology like 9 digit calculators are considered computers as well as the wires and transistors are represented as off or on.

Pictures I will use to illustrate the products of programming.

Once I state this, I will transfer over to the topic of "what is computer programming and why is it important," Computer Programming allows us to go beyond simple calculators and makes the altering of 1's and 0's into something legible. Here, I will cite my source from an article on Wisegeek titled "What does a computer programmer do?" saying that "computer programmers design software in logical work flow charts" through different programming languages. I will summarize this stating that computer programming basically represents the 1's and 0's in a visual form of plain English that the computer will understand. In order to ease people's fear that code is overly complicated, I will reassure them that coding can be complex, but having a good foundation in coding will lead to success in the future. If there is time, I will state this is my answer which I will explain shortly. This will lead into showing a simple block of code - the "if statement."

The "if statement" will look like this

I will ask the audience to try to explain what the "if statement" says. I will describe each line and symbol briefly to both  to provide a basic under standing for the audience. I will use printed out pieces of paper with the code on them to illustrate each point. I will reference the book "A Smarter Way to Learn Javascript" as it taught me in this way also.

Reused picture from September's Extra Blog!

Once I finish with my explanation the "if statement," I plan on stating my first answer to my EQ: ""Have a solid foundation of programming knowledge in coding through practice." Here, I will cite my mentor as she taught me how it is obvious when hiring when someone does not know the basics. She encourages that becoming an expert requires dedicating time and practice towards obtaining programming knowledge.  In addition, I will also cite norgriv.com which states that in order to master a programming language, one must continuously use and practice coding with that language. Mastery of in a field of work is desirable of employees and will lead to success in the 21st century.

I will conclude with: "Thank you for listening and participating in my lesson. Remember that having a good foundation in computer programming is essential for success. Therefore, as a parting word, remember this: creating things in life is difficult, but for computers, creation is literally at your fingertips."

TL;DR
I will hook with questions regarding current technology and cover what a computer is, what computer programming is, what an "if statement" is, and what my first answer to my essential question is.

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 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

I plan on making a website that includes different kinds of functionality that a standard website has and other functions that my mentor will suggest that I add. Some of these functions that we currently have in mind are multiple pages, animated objects, and an email box. After the initial creation of the site with its basic functions, more things will be added later to add depth to its interactions and make it look visually appealing.

2.  Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

What I will do to meet the extra 30 hours is spend:

• 10-15 hours reading and learning about HTML, CSS, and JavaScript and how to integrate them with each other
• 10 hours making the initial framework and functionality of website
• 5-10 hours adding additional features to the website.

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

Creating a website will not only make me familiar with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, but it will also help me understand the software in which I will use and give me experience in the process of actually making a website.

4.  Update your Senior Project Hours log.

Updated.