#module9

It is interesting to see how the individual begins to function amidst others once they reach adolescence. The adolescent begins to involve himself more with his friends in an attempt to widen his social sphere, for the social aspect of one’s life begins to prove to be very important during this stage of development. It can be observed that people tend to flock to certain groups wherein they will be able to find peers with whom they can relate and with whom they may share things in common. This is a sort of stereotypical understanding of friendships and group dynamics when it comes to teenagers. I was surprised, however, to find that the tendency of the typical adolescent to go about interacting and belonging in many different groups is an idea that was acknowledged directly. It is the sort of phenomenon that does occur in real life yet would not really be acknowledged or thought of until someone were to point it out to you directly.

Here are the badges i earned:

And here is a screenshot of an exercise in one of the courses i completed:

So, I’ve recently just visited code.org to complete a coding exercise for this very module. While browsing through the list of exercises, the first one that really strikes out to me the most was the Flappy Bird one. 

You can check it out here [https://studio.code.org/c/491987763]

The exercise is sorted in a quick-learning 10 steps style, where you will have to go through each process of attaching simplified code to make a game. It was overall very easy to follow, and its format is very loosely similar to that of Max Cycling 74, a sort of simplified visual coding style. I have had some minor experience with Max Cycling 74 back in high school, I just fooled around with the program to make a sort of counting machine that changes displaying image every time a particular number is randomized. Putting pieces of predefined codes together on code.org was very easy, and I can see how it is a good learning tool for someone who isn’t familiar with digital technology. Once I’ve gone through all the 10 steps, the very last page allowed me to simply make the game however I like. So, I did.

The Flappy bird game I made with code.org, as you can see in the image above, looks very simplistic. I modified the game so that each click propels the bird up with randomized flap-strength. I figured it is pretty funny and made the game pretty much challenging to play. Also, instead of ending the game when the bird is crashed into an obstacle, I made it so that the speed of the game gets faster, and a randomized gravity strength would also have triggered. The speed of the game is also slower when you successfully passed an obstacle to reward a player with a cruel twist. In the end, I got an online certificate for it!

Image Source: GameJolt

When you are trying to assemble something, say a new computer, having a manual is a lifesaver. It saves you time and ensures that you are setting it up correctly. Ultimately, it helps you derive the most values and benefits! Imagine having a course manual for every university course that you have taken, it would make your life a whole lot easier. And no, I’m not talking about a course syllabus that helps you stay on track by telling you the material that is being covered each week. I’m talking about a guide to success, also known as little tips and tricks that will help you excel. I find that many do not realize how crucial these tips and tricks are, and often forget them when our schedule gets bombarded with a million things to do.

To future EID100 students, fear no more. I have come up with a manual to success from my experience with the course. These tips and tricks will help you do well in the course and ensure a great learning experience.

BASIC MANUAL Come to class: You don’t want to miss out on these easy marks (attendance is taken via the QR Code app that can be downloaded on your phone).

Image Source: QRCodePress

Pay attention and listen attentively: Although the information is on the PowerPoint slides, listening to your professor explain the content makes a huge difference.

Be prepared: Have a notebook and pen, or a laptop ready so you can take notes.

Participate: You get marks for class participation, so put up your hand and you’ll receive a code to scan for marks (again, QR code app).

Participation via Twitter: If you come across any course related material, tweet it! You can earn marks for taking what you have learned beyond the class. In addition, Twitter is used a component for exam review marks. You have to tweet up to 5 course related questions with the exam review hashtag (i.e. #eid100midterm) and mention @EID100_RU.

Image Source: Twitter

Use Quizlet as a study tool: Since the course involves a lot of terms, it can be a handful to study by just reading off your notes. An effective way to study is by using Quizlet, an online studying platform where you can study in an interactive and engaging environment. 

BLOGGING MANUAL A major portion of the course is the module blogs. A total of 10 modules is required, and it is due on a weekly basis. Here are the tips and tricks to receive full marks on your blog posts!

Sourcing: It is crucial to source, as you want to avoid plagiarism. An effective way to source is to insert hyperlinks for meaning words that leads to the information you need to source. For example, “A research study shows…”, in this case, a hyperlink can be inserted for “research study”. Avoid saying things like “Click here...” and inserting the hyperlink for “here” because that word is meaningless (this is what Am said).

Incorporate course content: This is where you can relate what you have learned and make your blog post relevant to the course.

Add graphics and source it: This will make your blog posts more intriguing and not boring to read. Also, it is a requirement to obtain full marks.

Image Source: Microsoft

Remember to submit it on Twitter: When submitting on twitter, follow this format...           #module[module #] [BLOG TITLE] [link to blog post] @EID100_RU  NOTE: the content in brackets are subject to weekly changes

Source: Emojipedia

You’re probably on my page for 1 of 2 reasons:

1: You’re the prof (If so, what is up my favourite professor?) 2: You stumbled onto this with the #EID100 hashtag on twitter

Regardless your reason to being here today, I’m back with ANOTHER ONE. For all interested in joining this class, this will be your BIBLE to continuously come back and refer to when you’re stressing about anything EID 100 related. Consider this my one last gift to you before I leave this page forever. 

HERE ARE YOUR KEYS TO BEING A SUCCESSFUL STUDENT IN EID 100 - DIGITAL SKILLS AND INNOVATION

CLASSROOM TIPS

Source: Tumblr

Key #1 - Attendance

The professor, Ahmed Sagarwala gives lectures that are both engaging, and packed with tons of information. With many references to popular memes, and even the fun KAHOOT game at the end of each lecture, why would you not want to come to this class? Also, coming to class and partaking in class discussions is a really easy way to rack up your participation marks!

Key #2 - Note Taking

Ah.. note taking, I know how you feel. With Professor Sagarwala’s lecture slides that tend to be very minimal, it is ideal that you come to class in order to know what topics are being discussed, and to what context. If it is somehow impossible for you to come to class, make sure to get a friend to get these notes for you!

Key #3 - Make Use Of Your Resources!

Ahmed is a great guy, a hero. He is one of those few professors that have no problem with recording their lectures, and providing students with the recording to look back to in case they could not make it to class, or did not understand something the first time. USE THIS!

TIPS FOR OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Key #1 - Modules

Ahh modules .. the most easiest marks you can possibly get in the course! Each module comes with 5 different topics to chose from. All you got to do is research the topic, and create a cool blog post about it on any platform you enjoy using! (i.e. Tumblr, Medium, Blogspot) Each blog post tends to take about 45 minutes to complete, so get ‘em done, and you got yourselves some marks boy!

Key #2 - Twitter

Alright ya’ll. Twitter is probably the most important thing about being a student enrolled in this course, and is probably what the course revolves around the most. All your assignments are submitted through Twitter, all your online participation marks are from twitter, and all your midterm/final exam practice marks are from twitter. 

1) When handing in assignments, please remember to tag the professor @EID100_RU and hashtag #Module(#). This is the major key to submitting assignments. If you don’t do it right, you lose easy marks that shouldn’t be lost in the first place.

2) Share some cool digital technology type news on twitter that relates to course material for some easy participation marks. Tag the professor @EID100_RU, and you’re pretty much on your way to getting a 100% in online participation!

There you have it folks, everything you need to know about the course in the palm of your hands. Now get out there, and become the best EID100 student you can possibly be!