REFLECTION ON PROJECT ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR

1. REFLECTION ON PROJECT ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR

2. This is a personal evaluation that was carried out after the completion of my project one and two. The next slide shows the summary of the key points on the tasks I completed in my projects.

3. Successfully designed website and updated portfolio • Successful installation and configuration of the raspberry pi • Background knowledge of the number systems and the Amdahl’s law. • Basic understanding of C++ programming language and successfully completed writing basic programming in C++. • Project Management Tools. • Developed Online C++ Programming Tutorial. • UML modelling. • PACT analysis. • Logic Gates. • Main differences between Linux and Windows Operating System. • Differences between Off – Shelf and Custom Written. • Usability Testing. • Assembly Language and Peripheral Devices • Cloud Computing • Usability and HCI principles. • Ethics and Social Responsibility.

4. Successful completion of my project gave me a good depth of how a standard website is supposed to look like and I was able to develop a standard website that contains my personal portfolio and standard CV. • This task made me understand what a standard website is supposed to look like. With the introduction of the programming language, we were able to write a program for a sample website. Alongside, my group wrote a program for a calculator and designed the GUI interface. We are living in an IT driven world and this is what makes programming interesting because is it an object oriented programming language and you can actually see the results of the coding immediately.

7. As a computer scientist I will be looking forward to designing projects. My ability to differentiate between a good design and bad design was part of the knowledge I gained in my course. This understanding is what I applied in the course of my project. Usability testing is one of the important things that must be carried out before the completion of design. Furthermore in my course of study, I was taught about the human computer interaction principle. I understood the factors that determine how people use technology and the techniques to enabling building suitable systems. This aided in achieving efficient and effective development for safe interaction. I also understood that in designing, the users must be considered first.

8. PACT analysis was carried out after my design and this made me identify mistakes for correction. I would conclude that PACT analysis should be carried out at every stage of project development to make a good design. Lectures from 106 made me know the factors to consider if my design is usable. • The installation of software’s on the raspberry pi was another task I carried out. I noticed that the raspberry pi had a LINUX running on it unlike the regular windows which I was used to. Further assignments were for me to carry out the differences between the windows operating system and the Linux. My job in the future could consist of me writing programs for companies and to enhance my career development, I need to know the differences of running applications in the different operating system and their advantages.

9. Sample windows home screen. Sample of Linux home screen.

10. I learnt different various project management case tools and I was able to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each them. This aided in making my decision on which is the best for my project. I applied this knowledge in the development of the online tutorial toolkit. Furthermore, I learnt the pros and cons of application of open source or custom – written in the development of my software application. • I understood that when designing for a large scale company, it is better to use an open source and when designing for a small scale industry, custom-written may be the best. I found this interesting in my career development because in the next few years, I might be in position to manage projects for a company/firm and with the knowledge acquired in the project management tools; I will be able to decide which the best is for the company.

11. In 120ct, I learned a lot about logic gates and how it works. The understanding of the basic inputs to see the output made me understand how the different gates can combined to give a definite result. The knowledge gained was what I applied in creating the traffic light system with the software (Circuit Maker) recommended. With this, I am able to apply this in our daily electronic devices example TVs, computer etc. I also learnt that logic gates makeup the basic components of microprocessors.

12. Sample of a simple traffic light control system using circuit maker.

13. On the other hand, UML modelling was another exciting and interesting topic I learnt which helps you model business process with details. I used Rational Rose for my modelling and an example is shown below. This is very interesting because it outlines the stages of project development in a pictorial and aids in easy understanding.

15. I learnt about cloud computing and I discovered the advantages and disadvantages of it. I understood the implication of application of IT in the BookAcademia online business. This has to do with the social, legal and ethical principles. • I was made to understand that in developing your software or application of cloud computing in your business, there are ethical and legal principles which I must adhere to so I do not break the law.