UNIT 0:

Hello, my name is Mats Phillips. I am currently in the optional courses section of my accounting program, and since I like programming, I picked this course. I have mostly programmed in C++ before, with a little in Ruby and Java, as well as some HTML. I find databases very interesting, and I like the idea of having a place where anyone can access from anywhere they have a computer, to allow them to see anything you want to, as long as they know your web address. I realize that I will probably not learn how to use a database in this course, but at least I will have the knowledge in which I can attach a database to.

Describe briefly what you have done as work for that unit.

Activities:

• Read through unit 0.
• Made notes on all the details I though were important.
• Organized and refined the notes to eliminate repetitive information and structure what work is required and where.
• Signed into the landing and have requested membership in course group.
• Received membership in course group.
• Read through various student’s unit 0 entry’s, and copied their style.
• Read parts of the FAQ.
• Requested Webspace from SCIS.
• Received access to SCIS Webspace.
• Took the Unit 0 quiz.

Reflections:

Explain and analyze what went well and what didn’t.

Signing up for the landing group and the SCIS webspace went well, with no errors or misunderstanding. The unit 0 reading didn't go well, since it was confusing to find everything crucial for me to remember and do for the later units, and what was just recommendations and explanations of things.

If you had to do the tasks again, what would you do differently, and why?

I would probably have made notes as I read through the unit instead of after I read the unit if I were to do this again, since I had to reread the entire introduction 2 or 3 times to get everything I needed.

What aspects of these tasks were most difficult for you, and why?

The most difficult part would be gathering and making a to-do list for all subsequent units, knowing exactly what I need to submit, where, and when.

How did your previous experience help and/or hinder you in completing the tasks?

My previous experience with athabasca courses helped me with this unit, since I knew what I needed to find, and how information is structured on the moodle site. My experience with programming also helped, because I understood references to computer and web systems made in the introduction.

What was the most surprising thing that you learned?

The most surprising thing I learned is that database usage is not apart of this course, since it seems to be one of the most key features of most websites now. But I understand it somewhat, since most databases are very complicated, and are better separated into one or more courses of their own.

What was the most useful thing that you learned?

I need to make diary entries and a document mapping my activities to the outcomes of each unit. This was most useful to me, since otherwise I would just make the website with some comments included.

What did you learn about yourself as a result of completing these tasks?

I didn't learn much about myself, except that I am too hesitant in specifying my likes or interests, as I was filling out my landing profile.