Week 10: Muddy

During week 10 of this course we learned about Database Management. After completing this topic we should have been able to do the following:

• Define what a database is
• Describe different users of information
• Identify the qualities of valuable information
• Discuss the terms character, fields, key fields, data types, records, files and tables
• Identify file maintenance techniques and how they are different than databases
• Describe the most common types of databases
• Describe the fundamental concepts of the relational database model
• Understand the hierarchy within relational databases
• Describe the Microsoft Access relational database management system and its components
• Create tables, import data, create queries, forms and reports using MS Access
• Explain how to interact with web databases
• Describe basic database design guidelines

After completing the required readings and watching the lectures and doing the access scavenger hunt, the concept of database management was still quite unclear to me.

After doing some outside research, I found that according to webopedia.com database management is simply a collection of programs that enables you to store, modify, and extract information from a database.

There are many different types of DBMSs, ranging from small systems that run on personal computers to huge systems that run on maniframes. The following are examples of database applications:

computerized library systems

• automated teller machines

flight reservation systems

• computerized parts inventory systems

As I went through the lectues, I had a hard time remembering/understanding what a query was. Webopeda.com gave a great breakdown of this concept: it stated that
queries were requests for information from a database, which is a stylized question.

For example, the query: SELECT ALL WHERE NAME = "SMITH" AND AGE > 35 requests all rescords in which the NAME field is SMITH and the AGE field is greater than 35.

Doing outside research on this topic has really helped me to clearly understand the concepts presented in this section.

Web Presentation 2.0

In staying with the guide lines provided by the rubric for critiquing our presentations, I believe that I met all the requirements that were asked of the professor.

I had a logical flow of content in my presentation. I went in sequential order in explaining the points of my presentation.

For all my headings, I phrased the title in somewhat of a question. So, I anticipated what my listener was thinking.

I attempted to grab the readers attention in the first couple slides of the presentation, by providing an interesting and engaging topic with supporting information in each slide.

I avoided invalid claims and double checked my work for errors and unbelievable claims.  I also avoided clutter by keeping slides simple and clear.

To ensure readability, I kept the words on the slide to a minimum and did more talking in each slide explaining my point clearly and effectively.

I first showed the information and then began to go over the information verbally to my audience.

By critiquing my peer's presentation before completing my own gave me a better idea of what was expected from me on this project. I liked looking at my classmates work and using the rubric to analyze their presentation. This process allowed me to have a better understanding when completing my own work.

Upon completion of this project, I learned how to effectively use PowerPoint to my advantage. I had no idea that I could create slides and then add a narration to the slide. This is a very effective way to present an idea in the business world. Especially, with the rise in technology; you never know if a future employer will request a PowerPoint from you via E-mail. If that is ever the case, I know now how to add a narration to make my point explicitly clear.


A link to my Presentation: Web Presentation 2.0

Week 9: Clear

This weeks lesson was about the Internet and the Worldwide Web, how it works and what can be done with it.

According the lectures, the Internet is a world-wide network of networks connecting businesses, government agencies, educational institutions and individuals.

There are two main ways to connect to the Internet. The methods of connecting to the internet include: Dial-up access (which I remember using in elementary school on my Toshiba desktop computer) and High-speed/Broadband access.

To get internet you must go through something known as access providers. According the the lecture, and access provider is a business that provides individuals and businesses with access to the Internet for a fee.

Moving on to the Web. The lecture states that the Web is where you search for and use information. Individuals can also share and view media files on the Web.

The Internet has grown significantly since it began more than 30 years ago. It is now used in a wide variety of ways and provides individuals with endless opportunities to browse and connect with people from around the world.

Below is a great video giving numbers and statistics of the state of the Internet:

The State of the Internet

Week 7: Clear

This week we learned about presentations. After completing the necessary reading and presentations we were suppose to succesfully be able to do the following:

• identify elements of effective presentations in a multiple-choice quiz
• recall principles of storyboarding, visualizing information, layout principles and making presentation ideas stick in a multiple-choice quiz
• select an appropriate topic for presentation based on a given set of criteria
• practice and apply correct principles of developing effective presentations
• critique your own presentation and peer presentations based on a set of given criteria for effective presentations

As a public relations student, it is very important to understand the concepts of effective presenting. In doing research to explain the concepts behind great presentations, I came across this video: Effective Presentation.

It highlights the ways in which a someone should go about giving a great presentation and getting others to clearly and efectively understand their concepts.

Sometime's it can be scary or even intimidating for some people to do presentations, but it takes time to practice this craft and become a great presenter of a concept. Nothing happends overnight. Practice and patience are the key elements to mastering this craft.

Week 6: Muddy

This week was about all things multimedia; including audio, images and video.

After completing this section, we were suppose to be able to succesfully do the following:

Explain how image, audio and video data are represented on a computer system

Explain the difference between a standard video and a screencast and identify appropriate usage scenarios for each

Describe the difference between lossy vs lossless multimedia compression as applied to image, audio and video data; select the appropriate type of encryption in particular usage scenarios

Identify the most frequently used file types for each of the above types of multimedia data - type of multimedia data stored, and the key attributes of that storage type

Explain how to create new image, audio or video content

However, I was still muddy on audio files. In doing research, I found some information on audio files that made things a little clearer. I found that the Audio Files category includes compressed and uncompressed audio formats, which contain waveform data that can be played with audio playback software. This category also includes MIDI files, musical scores, and audio project files, which typically do not contain audio data.

I think that this information is useful to know and will help anyone in their quest to have a greater understanding of audio files.

Excel Project

While working on the Microsoft Excel project for this class, I started to slowing but surely understand a lot of the concepts that were once foreign to me that I spoke about in my previous blog post.

After completing the project, I am now capable of doing the following things on my own:

• Understand and navigate the three dimensions of an Excel workbook
• Enter, edit and format data
• Format and print worksheets
• Use arithmetic operators to create formulas
• Use absolute and relative cell references appropriately
• Use selected general-purpose functions fluently
• Find and learn to use more advanced/specialized functions when needed
• Create and use pivot tables
• Use built in help to improve Excel skills

While doing the project, I realized how efficient Excel could actually be. I think the best thing that came out of this project was me learning how to use the pivot tables. It was truly amazing to me how Excel could automatically sift through a large amount of data and make sense of it all after a couple of clicks.  I was very proud of myself once I figured out how to create target heart rate percentages and target rates achieved. Two weeks ago, I would have never been able to tell you how to convert raw data in averages or percentages, but now I am able to do it with just a click on my mouse.

Avg Increase

The one thing that I continue to struggle with, however, is learning how to manipulate Excel 2007 on my Mac computer. After watching the lectures, I noticed that the professor used a Microsoft computer. In the beginning it was quite difficult to figure out how to apply the same concepts on my personal computer. But after figuring out how to use the wizzard, I was able to do the exact same thing.