Second Web Developer Club Meeting of the Semester

We had another great turn out for our second Web Developer Club meeting of the fall semester at Moraine Park Technical College. It was part meeting and part presentation by one of our members. He showed us how to make gradient backgrounds. He also showed us a site that allows you to crop images without downloading a program like Photoshop.

Besides learning a few new things during the meeting, the club has decided to reinstate the open lab. We’ll be having the open lab on Monday nights in S-112 of the West Bend campus. The open lab is for students to get help from other students on their web design homework. Sometimes it’s nice just to work on homework in the lab even if you don’t need help. We’re still fleshing out the details about the time, so if you’re interested in getting some help or helping, talk to your instructor.

During the meeting we formed a small committee to review our bylaws this week. If necessary, we’ll make some revisions and bring them back to the club to vote on those changes. I really like that this club is what we want it to be. We’ve decided to focus on learning new things about web design through presentations and discussions, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Week in Review: A Reflection of October 16 – 22, 2011

This past week, as I mentioned in a previous blog, was the start of my Beginning Photoshop class. I also started a new self-paced class, Microsoft Access. It was my first week not going to class on Thursday nights for Career Development since that ended last week. It has felt like the beginning of a new semester. In an odd way it’s giving me more energy. Around midterm time it’s easy to get lethargic. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a “fall break” in the same way we get a spring break during the spring semester?

I’ve been thinking about Halloween lately since it’s coming up soon. The outside of my house is all decorated, and I’m starting to work on the inside. My costume is ready to go, and I’m excited for Halloween weekend. I’ll have to be diligent about getting my homework done this week so I don’t have to worry about it over the weekend. If I do, maybe this coming weekend can be my “fall break”.

My First Online Class

Monday was the official start of my first completely online class, Beginning Photoshop. Although I’m familiar with Photoshop CS2 version, which I learned more than five years ago, I will be taking this class as a requirement for my program. The latest version is Photoshop CS5, which is what I’ll be learning in this class. There have been a lot of updates and changes since I originally learned the program, one of them being the Content Aware Fill. We had talked about this feature in my Graphics for the Web class. It’s simply amazing. To see what I’m talking about, watch this video: http://tv.adobe.com/watch/photoshop-cs5-feature-tour/content-aware-fill-part-1/

Taking an online class is different than taking a class in-person. Luckily, I know how to use eCollege, because I’ve had blended classes that use this tool. Blended classes are ones that meet face-to-face but also have an online portion. The online portion uses eCollege, an online portal for classes.

The posting in the announcements section from my instructor explained how this class was going to work. Even though we don’t have a meeting time or place, homework still has specific due dates. I will be following along in the textbook to complete assignments. The instructor has additional comments and instructions to go along with the chapters. There are scoring guides so we can make sure we are meeting the criteria of the assignment and a schedule to follow. Other students have already posted their introduction to the discussion board. It’s pretty clear what I need to do for this class and when I need to do it.

Now, it’s time to get to work!

Week in Review: A Reflection of October 9 – 15, 2011

It feels like the end of the semester for me at Moraine Park Technical College. I have three classes ending, and I’ll be starting two new classes. One of the new classes is completely online, which is a first for me, and the other is a self-paced class.

Speaking of new classes, it’s time to start choosing classes for the spring semester of 2012. I’ll be focusing on my second program, which is the Office Assistant program, next semester. That will definitely be a change for me. I’ve got a feeling it’ll be like starting all over again at MPTC. It’ll be a new set of instructors, new classmates, and new things to learn outside of web design.

Something I’m looking forward to for the second half of the fall semester is a more flexible schedule. Only one of my classes has a specific meeting day and time each week. While I’ll still be on campus for the self-paced class, I get to choose when I work on the homework. I use the designated self-paced lab and the computer lab near the library quite often for that purpose.

Wish me luck and endurance as I begin my new classes!

Last Day of Class for Career Development

It’s mid semester, and that means my one-credit Career Development class is over. During our last class we shared information about our career field such as world trends, workplace challenges, and the need for continuing education. Listening to my classmates speak made me stop and think outside the world of computer programs and become aware of other fields like the medical and industrial fields. I noticed some trends with our contrasting fields, changing technology being the most prominent commonality.

Every week we worked on a different aspect of the job search process. We created resumes, cover letters, and references; last week we went through mock interviews. What I found the most helpful was looking at a list of typically asked interview questions and preparing answers for them. It gave me time to think through my answers and get feedback on my responses to those questions. I feel much better prepared for an interview now.

There were two things our instructor had us repeat everyday and we are not allowed to forget it: Customize and Sell Yourself.

Week in Review: A Reflection of October 2 – 8, 2011

This week went by so fast! There is only one week of classes left for my one-credit courses. Schedules for Winterim/Spring 2012 semester are already online. My advisor sent an email out to all the students in my program to let them know they should look up their registration dates and times. He’s offering help in choosing classes as well. I met with him at the beginning of the fall semester to make sure I was on track to get my Web Site Coordinator Certificate in December.

I spent some time recently organizing a binder for the Web Developer Club. It will have the by-laws, meeting minutes, agendas, calendar of events, project opportunities, and whatever else we need to keep record of for the club. And when I graduate, or am no longer the secretary, it can be passed on to the next person.

I really tried to take advantage of the warm weather this past week. As I mentioned a few days ago, we had the Student Senate meeting outside. It was beautiful outdoors. I didn’t even mind having to rake leaves at my home. Not only did I not have to wear a scarf and gloves, I didn’t even have to wear a jacket to stay warm. It has been such a lovely week! I’ll be dreaming about it come January.

Plenty of Activities at Moraine Park Technical College

Our West Bend Student Senate meeting was held outside this week because the weather was so nice. We sat just outside the cafeteria at the tables. MPTC President Dr. Shelia Ruhland joined us as well.

We discussed a lot of topics at this meeting. Representatives from clubs shared what they are planning. The Graphics Club will be doing a poster sale, which I believe they did last year, outside the library. Business Professionals of America are having a brat fry, and the Chiropractic Club is going to be fundraising by selling candy bars. I like hearing what other clubs are doing this semester. It may give me ideas for my own club’s events.

The week of November 7 is Club Week at the West Bend campus. Students can check out clubs they may be interested in. I hope to represent the Web Developer Club that week. Keep your eye on the events calendar for more information.

October 10 – 22 is the First Annual United Way – Moraine Park Technical College Disc Golf Tournament at the new disc golf course also at the West Bend campus. Money from the event is going to United Way and there will be door prizes. I’ve never played disc golf before. I’m not even sure what it is, but it sounds like fun. Now is the time to use the golf course before it’s covered in snow.

Student Senate is the place you want to be if you want to know what’s happening on campus. It also a place where you can share ideas, get in contact with administration, and have a voice as a representative of the student body. I haven’t been a part of planning any events yet, but I hope to sometime soon. If you have any event suggestions, please share. What would you like to see at MPTC?

Lunch ‘n’ Learn: Self-Maintenance

Since October is Emotional Wellness Month, this week’s Lunch ‘n’ Learn at Moraine Park Technical College West Bend campus was about self-maintenance. This is something college students struggle with at times. We are busy, hardworking people juggling lots of different things. We’ve got classes, homework, clubs, work, family, friends, and other commitments. Where does time for us fit in? What can we do to make sure we take care of ourselves while we take care of everything else?

During our conversation we talked about all the things we do or don’t do to take care of ourselves. Things like sleeping, eating, fitness, time management, and stress management are all factors that influence our wellness. Stress and time management always seem to be big issues.

One thing I have learned, and need to remind myself periodically, is that I need to not take everything too seriously. Sometimes things just aren’t as important as I make them out to be, and some things are beyond my control. These are the things I can let go, because all they’re doing is taking up my time and energy. I could be focusing on something more productive instead.

We were able to share our methods of winding down at night and turning off our minds at the end of a long day. It was a good reminder that we need to take care of ourselves, too, and that’s a good thing not a selfish thing.

Week in Review: A Reflection of September 26 – 30, 2011

This week I realized there are only a few more classes left until two of my one-credit classes are done. After that I start a two-credit class, Beginning Photoshop. I’m also more than halfway through my self-paced Excel course.

My self-paced Excel course was very challenging at first. I’m used to a more traditional style of learning that takes place in the classroom. With the self-paced course I’m using a book and online project simulations. It was a new way of learning for me. I could move through material as quickly or as slowly as I wanted to. I liked that. However, there’s a lot of information to take in for each lesson plan. But this week things are finally clicking for me, and I enjoyed completing this last lesson plan, and I even got it done ahead of schedule. So, what I learned this week is to just hang in there when something is difficult. Lots of things are difficult but very few things in life are impossible.

Besides learning the software program thoroughly, I’m gaining some useful transferable skills. I’m developing problem-solving skills, self-motivation, and organizational skills. These are the kind of skills any employer would like to have in their employees. We talked about transferable skills in my last Career Development class session, so I’ve been thinking about them lately and how I can convey them to future employers.

When I’m done learning Excel in mid October I will begin the self-paced Access course. This will also be a challenge. In a way I think it’ll be easier, because I am more comfortable with this learning format. It’s good to learn new things and new ways of learning new things.