The Web Club Goes on an EPIC Trip

Some of the Web Developer Club members at MPTC before leaving to visit EPIC Creative

A local company graciously opened their doors for us during our spring break so we could learn from them about the “real world.” We are very thankful they didn’t mind taking all 15 of us on a tour through their facilities and answering the many questions we had for them.

EPIC Creative is an ad agency that specializes in a little bit of everything from web design, to video, to social media and much, much more. For the Web Club members, both consisting of web design and interactive media program students, it was an opportunity to find out the tools, both physical and intellectual, needed to succeed in this kind of business.

Our guide gave us some great advice about working with clients. You should never forget that they are the boss, and the reason you get to do what you love to do is because they are paying for it. He also stressed the importance of planning, lots of planning, before doing anything.

An EPIC Creative postcard

Since most of us in the club are in the IT-Web Designer/Developer program, he spoke to us about web trends. It’s nice to know that the things we learn and discuss in class and at club meetings, like PHP, responsive design, JavaScript, and Facebook, are the kinds of tools we need to be focusing on.

After the tour, the club members stopped for a bite to eat and to discuss what we enjoyed most from our visit to EPIC Creative. We got into a discussion about technology, all the things we should know, and how it’s always changing. It’s a bit daunting, but our club advisor used an analogy to explain this situation. Web design is like designing a car. There’s always going to be something new and the cars will look different, but it’s still going to have the same basic parts. At its foundation it will still be a car. If you have a good foundation and keep learning, you’ll be able to build it.

On behalf of the Web Developer Club of MPTC, I’d like to thank EPIC Creative again for taking time out of their busy schedule. Thank you!

Technology is the Integrating Link

Week in Review: A Reflection of August 27 – September 2

In my accounting class we’re learning how financial statements are integrated. The net income (or net loss) on the income statement also appears on the statement of retained earnings. I’ve realized this week that my classes are also integrated. Concepts I’ve learned and topics we’ve discussed in my IT-Web Designer/Developer classes also appear in my Office Assistant classes.

Having finished quite a few of my web design classes, I’ve got a pretty solid foundation in web-related concepts. This semester I’m taking classes for my other program, which focus on business concepts. I can see now that the two programs are interrelated because web design companies are businesses and every business needs a website.

In my Customer Service Essentials class we talked about the role of technology in customer service. The Internet plays such an important part in customer service. A well designed website equals good customer service, because customers can find the information they need, such as hours of operation or answers to questions they have, easily. Businesses are using e-commerce, mobile apps, and online chat to assist customers.

More to Do for School than Homework

Week in Review: A Reflection of February 13 – February 19

When you go to college you generally expect to spend several hours every week doing homework. Well, this week I spent a lot of time doing school-related activities but none were actually considered “homework.” I had homework to do, of course, but I had a few other things to keep me busy (and away from the beautiful glow of the TV set).

For my scholarship application I need to write a statement about what I will take with me when I leave Moraine Park Technical College. It took longer than I expected to figure out how to state my answer, to write it, revise it, and then revise it again. It’s nearly complete, but I want to check it over again. I’ll need to get it done soon, though, because the application is due at the beginning of March.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I’m looking into the Individualized Technical Studies associate degree. I want to create my own individualized degree that encompasses a few of the programs offered at MPTC such as the IT-Web Designer/Developer and Office Assistant technical diplomas. I’ve been researching the course catalog to see what classes will fit my career needs. There is no deadline for this, but I would like to get things in order before I sign up for fall 2012 classes. Believe it or not, that’ll be coming up soon, too.

One activity I haven’t worked on much lately is my Futuremaker Video Competition entry. I can’t believe the deadline is at the end of this month! This coming weekend I’m going to devote all my time to this project. It’s a great opportunity to represent Moraine Park at the state level and win some money if my video is chosen. If I win, I’d like to get one of those sleek-looking Mac Book Pros that the Interactive Media students are walking around with. I’m not going to lie, I’ve got computer envy. If I take some Interactive Media classes for my ITS degree, I’m probably going to need one. Yay!

Application of Knowledge Outside of Class

My instructor, who is one of the instructors of the IT-Web Designer/Developer program at Moraine Park Technical College, told us we need to do more than the homework assigned to us. We need to practice and learn things on our own if we really want to be the best at what we do. This semester I’ve realized I have been using what I’ve learned in class outside of the classroom and class assignments.

I volunteer in an office setting where I use a computer on a regular basis. While volunteering at an organization I was interested in, I was able to offer my time and skills. In return I’ve learned about office culture, and I’m able to apply what I’m learning in my classes. Frequently I use programs like Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Without realizing it, I’ve developed a good understanding of file structures. I was able to comprehend how this office file structure works. My files on my personal computer are also very organized. I never have to wonder where I’ve saved something. If you’ve ever spent time looking for a file because you don’t remember where you put it or what you named it, you know how much time that can eat up.

This blog has been an excellent resource for applying what I’ve learned in my classes. This semester I learned how to save files for the web so the file size is smaller (for faster download time) while maintaining quality. I’ve been able to create my own images and graphics and edit them. I’ve used my textbook to look something up that I had forgot how to do.

On my own time I’ve been able to create things in Photoshop for fun and share them with my friends. The more I practice, the easier it becomes, and the more fun it becomes. During winter break I’m sure I’ll be working on some kind of fun project. If I put some thought into it, it could become my next portfolio piece.

Web Site Coordinator Certificate

Last semester while looking at what classes I’ve completed and what classes I still needed to take, I discovered I was only three classes away from being eligible to receive the Web Site Coordinator Certificate.

I’m already in the IT-Web Designer/Developer program here at Moraine Park. The outcome of the program is a technical diploma. The certificate requires many of the same classes that the technical diploma requires except the certificate requires fewer classes. It gives students a foundation in Web design basics.

I decided to sign up for the certificate because it’s something I’ll be able to put on my resume at the end of the Fall semester. It will be awhile before I earn the technical diploma since I’m only in school part time. Some of my classmates started off in the certificate program, decided they liked the classes and chose to continue on with the technical diploma. I think that’s a good idea to start with the certificate program since it’s a smaller commitment than the longer program.

I wasn’t sure how to enroll in a second program, so I went to Student Services to ask what I should do. They gave me an application like the one I filled out for the IT- Web Designer/Developer program. All I needed to do was fill it out and hand it in. There was no application fee or anything else I needed to do.

Some time later, I received a letter in the mail from MPTC stating I was accepted into the certificate program. I only need to take one additional class that isn’t a requirement for the technical diploma. Of course, I will check with my advisor to make sure I’m not missing anything. I will have a piece of paper in my hands that shows I‘ve accomplished something sooner than I thought!

IVC: Interactive Video Conference

Being in the IT-Web Designer/Developer program, I have become very familiar with IVC - Interactive Video Conference - system. Many of our classes are taught this way.

IVC allows students from different campuses to have class together using video and microphones. I can be at the West Bend campus with classmates while the instructor and other classmates can be at the Fond du Lac campus. We can see and talk to each other through the cameras and microphones. We can also see what the instructor is doing on the computer on a separate projection screen.

The first time I saw a IVC microphone was a few years ago. I thought, what an odd looking mouse? It’s about the same size as one, sits on the table and has a long cord. There are several of them in each room that is IVC capable. If you’re in an IVC class, make sure you turn your microphone on when you want to talk otherwise the students at the other campuses can’t hear you. Similarly, turn it off when you’re done speaking; otherwise people can still hear you! Everybody does one or the other at least once.

I’ve also used IVC for meetings with people on other campuses. It’s really a great way to connect the campuses in real-time. Recently, we had a meeting about our student blogs and I got to meet Kirsten, the student blogger from the Beaver Dam campus (Note: Check out her blog by visiting the Links tab on my blog page). I was able to meet with people from Fond du Lac and Beaver Dam while staying in West Bend. I didn’t have to drive all the way to another campus. That’s a good thing with gas prices being so high.

Even though I understand what IVC is I sometimes forget, along with other abbreviations, what it stands for. Here’s a link to an MPTC page that shows some common abbreviations you may need to know when looking at class schedules:

http://www.morainepark.edu/programs-and-courses/class-schedule/abbreviations-class-schedule/

Web Developer Club Meeting

One of the groups I’m involved with on campus is the Web Developer Club. Once a month we meet to network and learn things outside the classroom. This past week we had a former graduate of the IT-Web Designer/Developer program make a presentation, and she answered our questions about entrepreneurship.

Kristen owns her own web design business. She gave us a lot of helpful tips about running a business. Some of the things she talked about were how to find clients, things to include in client agreements and estimating timelines. She also suggested we find a specialty, like WordPress, SEO or graphic design, so prospective clients know you are very knowledgeable in one specialty and are the go-to person for their specific needs.

In the past, current club members have given presentations in subjects they know through personal experience. One member knows a lot about SEO (Search Engine Optimization). He was able to give useful information about a prominent subject in the web world.

Sadly, there is only one meeting left this semester. Next year we plan on doing some fund-raising, and we’ll be going to some places where we can learn even more about the web design field. This year we’ve had the opportunity to go to the Graph Expo in Chicago and visit MIAD (Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design).

It’s a great idea to join an academic club. You get to network with your future colleagues and learn new things that set you apart from others.