Blog 14: Independent Component 1

Content:  

• LITERAL
  (a) Statement saying: “I, student name, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”

I, Brian Cabantug, affirm that I completed my independent component which represent 30 hours of work.

• (b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component

Burd, Barry. Android Application Development All-In-One for Dummies. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2012. Book.

• (c) Provide a digital spreadsheet (aka log of the 30 hours).   Post it next to your mentorship log.

DONE

• (d) Explanation of what you completed.    

I was able to complete a basic rough prototype of an android application running on Java. It does basic functions, such as switching screens after a button press and can switch to a website after pressing another button. Activities are mostly linked as such.

• INTERPRETIVE 
  Defend your work and explain how the significant parts of your component and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work.  
  

 I had been working programming, designing and organizing an android application for my independent component. My work covered all aspects of understanding the language and how to design an app. I had also learned how to connect classes and activities together to act as an action. Doing things such as linking Intents, coding strings for XML buttons to share throughout the application, and putting the design together to test it out. It represents 30 hours of work since most of the process would be split up among different people to create a prototype, while I decided to take all aspects of the process and attempt to create an application for android users.

Blueprint rough draft: click here

Add class example

Confirmation Screen

XML code for all string variables for app to use for display purposes

XML code to organize button values and screen variables

Screenshot of how the SDK and Eclipse Development Environment

First prototype version of testing app

Code from home screen

Clicking on logo button leads to...

School website.

• APPLIED
  How did the component help you understand the foundation of your topic better?  Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped. 

This component helped me understand the foundation of my topic better since it helped me realize some of the concepts and importance of development planning as well as testing. For example, I was going through with my design of my plan and my blueprint. It helped me execute the design of my app when developing a bit more simpler and allowed me to focus more on the code and problems that came up. Another thing that came up was understanding my language. I had to use my knowledge of Java to learn how to implement the idea of intents and switching screens through a button click with the method. It helped me see the works of what steps are needed to go into application development.

Blog 13: Lesson 2 Reflection

Content:

1. Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your Lesson 2 Presentation and why?

I am most proud of my explanation of my answer during the presentation because explaining a programming language within 20 minutes of speaking is very difficult. I think I did as well as I could to explain it within the
limited time, along with definitions and object-oriented concepts.
2. Questions to Consider
       a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 2 Presentation (self-assessment)?

       AE       P          AP       CR       NC

       b.     Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 2 component contract.

I felt I had explained my content pretty well, using props and my object oriented activity. I felt I could be heard throughout the room and I had eye-contact with the audience. I also hit time and referenced some of my research with the Java Website and the Android Application Developement. The hook and activity included the whole audience and did aid in showing others the idea of Java being a part of a huge mobile development environment.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 2?

What worked for me in my Lesson 2 was the activity and my explanation of the answer.

4.  (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 2?

However, I wish I had gone back and cited more resources that I had within the presentation. It was something I only did at the end so it hindered my ability to back up what I was teaching.

5. Finding Value
What do you think your answer #2 is going to be?  

I think my 2nd answer is either going to be HTML or Objective C.

Additional Post 5: Independent Component 1 Update 2

I have started to layout the actual application on Android by starting with the homescreen. However, I still need to code the functions of each button and image so that it can be tested out. Also, the activities for each one will be created soon so it will begin.

Homescreen layout.

Code for app. Still needs actions for each button

Blog 12: Third Interview Questions

Content:

Post 10 open-ended questions for approval you want to ask an expert in the field of your senior project.  The first question should be your essential question and the other nine must be about the foundation of your essential question or help you answer your essential question.

If you have already interviewed someone two times, you aren't allowed to interview that same person without House teacher approval.

The interview itself is not due till Friday February 21st to turnitin.com.   However, we want to give you as much time as possible, so we are asking you to complete the blog now. Remember that in addition to turning in the interview, you also need to turn in the verification sheet to your House teacher.

1. What is the best programming language to use when developing mobile applications?
2. Which programming language has the most useful assets when working on applications?
3. What language is essential for any programmer to have experience with?
4. How would a mobile developer prepare for a new project?
5. How much planning is required before coding/ development occurs?
6. When does object-oriented programming become a huge part of the application development process?
7. Why would development require much planning?
8. How does the user's opinion matter when developing an application?
9. How does a prototype help your team discover any bugs within the app?
10. What is your preferred language to use when coding an application?

Blog 11: Mentorship 10 hour Check

Content:

1.   Where are you doing your mentorship?

I am currently doing my mentorship at Cal Poly Pomona's Student Affairs Information & Technology Services Office.

2.   Who is your contact?

Director Cathy Bates

3.   How many total hours have you done (total hours should be reflected in your mentorship log located on the right hand side of your blog like your WB)?

Currently have 14 hours
   
4.   Summarize the 10 hours of service you did.

For my first 10 hours of service I have done, I was able to experience multiple aspects of SAITS such as going around the campus and observing the problems other departments face, as well as meetings regarding the improvement of service for SAITS. Some other aspects include the process for clearing (D-BAN) and preparing (Imaging) computers to prepare them for deployment.

5.   Email your house teacher the name of your contact and their phone number confirming who they should call to verify it.  

It shall be done.

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.