Blog 10: Senior Project, The Holiday

Content:

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

Over the break, I finished my last Research Check and completed another Research Check from a new source called Android Application Development ALL - IN - ONE for Dummies. I was also able to start on my Independent Component by creating a basic rough draft blueprint for a mobile application. Along with that, I also set up my programming work space so that my coding can go as smoothly as it can.

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

The most important thing that I learned from what I did was that I should plan and set up so that my design and function is what I want it to be. I also learned to set up my System Development Kit (SDK) as well as my Android Virtual Device (AVD) so that I can prepare my setup to test and prototype the application. The source of this information came from my Research Check.

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

I would talk to a college student (preferably a Junior or Senior) majoring in Computer Science and has experience for programming in multiple languages or creating mobile applications because they are currently learning new techniques for programming languages in order to streamline the processes. Another person I would interview would be a programmer/manager of applications used. They hold a lot of experience in managing applications as well as updating.

Additional Post 4: Independent Component Update 1

Hello everyone. Just an update on the independent component. After looking at the work amount to make 2 applications for 2 different platforms would be difficult, I decided to leave it at 1 platform: Android. However, I will be using Java as the main language. For the designing of the applications, I created a rough draft of how it would look like and what each button would function as. For example, when a user would tap the "homework" button, it would lead to another screen showing what homework is assigned had the user added it. I also plan to add extra functions such as shortcuts to jump to different screens.

This rough draft is also important since it serves as a blueprint for me to follow. Link to view rough draft is here.

Additional Post 3: The process of D-BAN and imaging

For mentorship on Monday, Director Bates assigned me to the back of the SAIT's under Joel and Edward's wings. They work on the computers themselves, which includes imaging, D-BAN, and cleaning out the computers.

An image is basically a ghost of an installed OS that has custom settings that a person can use. Once it is saved, it can be installed on different computers without going through all the hassle of working with installs all over. It was interesting to see that. I was able to look through and start an installed image process as well.

D-BAN or Darik's Boot and Nuke

 D-BAN or Darik's Boot and Nuke is a process used to make sure hard drives securely cleared so that any data that was previously on it is not able to be recovered. It works by overloading sectors of the hard drive with binary code so that it basically "shreds" through the data and makes it unrecoverable. I was able to try out the D-BAN which was fairly simple. Just booting it up from a flash drive and making sure it went through the process was really straightforward.

Computer in process of D-BANning

 Cleaning out computers and labeling were also a part of the day but those were straightforward.

All of these computers are being updated and re-imaged for streamline updates

I found it very enjoyable and interesting to learn. I find it important to learn this since creating an image to fit certain departments' needs fit what the client would need for an application.

Blog 9: EQ

Content

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)
• Takes a stance (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 it meets the rule of 3 criteria.
• Tell why it does or why it doesn't

 a.  What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?
 b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?
 c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?
 d.  How can an Anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

A)It meets the rule of 3 criteria since it not a simple yes/no question. Stances can be taken in accord to the question and is simple to understand terms.
B) Does not meet rule of 3 criteria because it does not provide enough information to research specific topics (what types of criminal investigations). Wording is a bit confusing, not stating a specific element (most important...).
C)Meets the rule of 3. Stances can be taken albeit not too detailed or specific. It provides a framework for study and makes sense.
D) Does not meet rule of 3. Stance cannot be taken and rather leaves one to read from a list to answer the EQ. Wording make sense.

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.

What is the best programming language when developing mobile applications?

Additional Post 2: I finally have a mentor! =D

After trying to contact many possible mentors, I have finally found one who would accept me. Director Cathy Bates of Cal Poly's Student Affairs Information and Technology Services. I start working with them next week on Monday. Thank you Bradley for giving me information that helped me find a mentor. =D

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

Content:

1.  What is your working EQ?

What is the best platform when developing mobile applications? (Updated)

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

Developing applications using a cloud system is a good platform for mobile applications.

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 source that I have used that has helped me come up with an answer to my working EQ is Building Applications in the Cloud:Concepts, Patterns, and Projects by Christopher M. Moyer. It's explanation of why to build in the cloud and using patterns such as the n-tier web pattern and Map/Reduce process to analyze large amounts of data sent back and forth.

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

Currently I do not have a mentor and am not volunteering anywhere at the moment. Hopefully I can get into either the IT department in Cal Poly and job shadow what they do with applications. I also hope to find a place to shadow while they work on mobile applications in order to find out if a specific platform is good.

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

Content:

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

For the Independent component, I plan on creating a program/ software component by using a certain method to plan and develop, such as the Waterfall method or the Spiral Method. A simple program such as an app for calculating math problems as well as other miscellaneous tasks as it can be exported to a device to go through testing.

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

In order to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence, I plan on taking photos of my program as well as releasing versions of the software every few days to show improvement in its functions. Some videos explaining the software or photos of myself working on the program would be included to show my physical being working on it and not having someone else pose for me.

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

Working on and developing software for myself can help me understand how the development cycle will really affect my work and how much progress can be made. Building it can help me understand how much effort goes into finding bugs and working them through to make the software usable and presentable.

4.  Post a log on the right hand side of your blog near your mentorship log and call it the independent component 1 log.

Your answers to the questions should be supported with details and examples for the senior team to understand what you plan to do.   Once we review your Blog Post 7, your house teacher will discuss with you the approval of your plan.  If it is approved, please start working on it.  If it is not approved, your house teacher will explain why.  It is your job to address the concerns so you can get your component approved.