Reflection on my learning experience in each of the Modules
This module was divided into the following 4 sections:
Learning in Cyberspace - I became very frustrated early on in this section due to complications with the First Class software, and this distracted somewhat from the information I should have been learning from the module.
Group Learning in Cyberspace - Having eventually solved the First Class technical issue I began to the use the software realised what a useful resource it provided. However I attempted to utilize too many of the coonferences and suffered from a degree of information overload When I eventually concentrated on the rlevant conferences I was somewhat disappointed at the apparent lack of activity within the groups, especially regard group activity.
Computing with Confidence - I did not study much of this section as I felt I had sufficient office application knowledge already from previous courses. However instead of utilising the spare time efficiently and reading ahead or building on previous sections. As such I wasted potential study time and this resulted in me falling behind lateer in the course.
Web Skills - I found this section to be the most daunting as it
involved a skill that was completely new to me. After initial
frustratiom I realised that I could produce a simple web page. I
was however disappointed, as having previuos desktop publishing
experience I found HTML to be quite limiting.
This module aimed to explain the development of the peronal computer and the industr that developed around it. It also explained the involvement of key personalities, organisations and technologies. I also learned to appreciate the impact that computers have on business and culture. I found myself describing Moore's Law when advising friends about purchasing PCs.
I still found that I was not organising my time efficiently, and found myself constantly trying to catch up. This situation was not made easier by the requirement to have regular access to the Internet, which proved a problem for me atr times due to personal circumstances.
Howvever I found my note taking skills had improved, as well as my report writing skills. I enjoyed the set text, Accidental Empires, finding the writing style informal and at times amusing, which I felt made learning the subject matter easier.
I found this to be the most enjoyable module (eventaully), primarily as it honed my new found web building skills further. However I yet again found myself falling behind in my studies and as such decided not to read the set text, Where Wizards Stay Up Late, sequentially. Instead I just dipped into the textwhen I needed specific information. As such I found the text very useful and actually quite stimulating, as opposed to finding it hard going when I first started to read it sequentially.
By this stage my web skills had developed, especially as regards research skills. This proved very useful when developing the web report for TMA04
I have found that I am now very interested in web page development, and feel I have developed an important skill in that field.
Although still behind in my study, I feel I have identified the weaknesses in my study technique, and as such know I will be able to avoid such difficulties in any future study. Therefore I find I am now looking forward to my next course.
