Completing Self-Paced Microsoft Access Course

Despite the fact that I thought December 8 was a Friday when it was actually a Thursday, I still completed all my self-paced Microsoft Access work at Moraine Park Technical College a few days early.

For self-paced classes, MPTC uses an online training system called MyITLab. I first used this at the beginning of the semester when I took the self-paced Microsoft Excel course. It took some time to learn how to navigate through the training system. When I started the Access class, I was much more comfortable with the system, and it went very smoothly.

I can see how Microsoft Access comes in handy when you have to manage several things for a company that requires more than a simple spreadsheet. I liked the label-making feature that allows me to make address labels. The book showed a lot of different ways to customize forms and reports to make them look nice and unique.

Even though this was a self-paced class, there were open lab hours staffed by the instructors of the courses a few times a week every week. I went in there a few times to work and to ask some questions I had. It was nice to work in that lab because the computer monitors had a horizontal orientation. I could have the PDF instructions on one side of the screen and the program open up on the other side of the screen.

The last task to complete for the course required some critical thinking. It was the Core Ability Self-Assessment. Besides learning technical skills, MPTC stresses these core abilities that employers are looking for in their employees. These things are transferable to every job position and include things like thinking critically and creatively, acting responsibly, and communicating clearly, just to name a few. I had to explain, while working through this course, how I demonstrated these abilities.

Since I turned in all my work early, my instructor was able to grade my work early. I am very pleased with my final grade. I feel confident that I learned the program well, and I’m excited to add it to my resume during winter break. I’m glad it’s over though, because I spent hours in the computer lab each week, and I’m looking forward to spending more time moving around and less time sitting.

Week in Review: A Reflection of December 4 – December 11

What a busy, busy week it has been! There was the holiday celebration event, which included two BINGO events and a casino, a Lunch ‘n’ Learn, and final projects to work on for my classes at Moraine Park Technical College.

The cafeteria and computer labs were popular places for group projects and study groups this past week. It is definitely nearing the end of the semester. Which reminds me; book buyback starts this Thursday. I’ve got a few books l would like to sell back to the bookstore, but I highly recommend keeping books you know you’ll use in the future. I will not be selling my Photoshop or JavaScript book back. They were good books I know I might need to use for reference in the future.

Sometimes when I go down the hallway past the library at the West Bend campus, there will be something set up at the tables. This past week there was a fundraiser for Relay for Life http://www.relayforlife.org/. Students and staff could purchase tickets to enter drawings to win gift baskets filled with things like movies, iTunes gift cards, candy, and cookbooks. I was one of the first to put my raffle tickets into the bucket.

After completing my self-paced Microsoft Access class, I was able to focus on my final project for Graphics for the Web class that was due on Monday. It required a lot of research and a lot of time spent using Photoshop to create a logo.

Now, the last thing I need to focus on is the last assignments for Beginning Photoshop. That will be due on Monday, and then I’m all done for the fall semester of 2011!

Week in Review: A Reflection of November 27 – December 3

So this whole time I’ve been talking about December 8 being the deadline to turn in my homework for my self-paced Microsoft Access class at MPTC. I looked at the calendar recently and realized December 8 is actually a Thursday, not a Friday. It really isn’t less time to get the work done since the date didn’t change, but it feels like I lost a day. That’s okay, though, because I did a pretty good job staying on track and the last lesson plan isn’t as long as some of the other lesson plans.

November is over and December is here, and somehow it didn’t bring with it a pile of snow yet. The end of the semester has really snuck up on me. When my Graphics for the Web instructor started talking about our final project being due next week I was like, “Are you sure?” There is no work to still be assigned or completed. This is our last assignment!

After I finish these final assignments for my classes, it’ll be time to think about what I will be doing with my free time during winter break. I try to have a mix of fun and productive activities during breaks. I think I’ll get out my paint supplies and canvases since I haven’t been able to do that in a while. I’ll also be looking for a part time job that will hopefully pay some bills and allow me to gain experience and apply my new skills I’ve developed this past year.

Week in Review: A Reflection of November 6 – November 12, 2011

Time went by so quickly it’s difficult to remember what even happened this past week. I suppose this could be a good thing because it means things went pretty smoothly for the week. There’s just a little more than a month left of the fall semester. It’s going to be time for winter break before we know it.

I was just short from finishing the second lesson plan for my self-paced Microsoft Access class. There are five lesson plans total, and I’m trying to finish one lesson plan per week. So, I’m a little behind schedule in that class, but I’m ahead of schedule with my Graphics for the Web class. I thought an assignment was due on Monday, but it turns out it’s due two weeks from Monday. It’s a lucky mistake, but it’s a good reminder to check and write down due dates or next time I might not be so lucky.

What I learned this past week is to focus on the positive, especially the little things from day to day. I’m pretty lucky to be able to attend college. I feel blessed to have met such nice, intelligent, and creative people in my classes and extracurricular activities. And as Friday was Veterans Day, I’m reminded how fortunate I am to live in a country full of brave men and women who ensure I get to live this life filled with opportunities and freedom. This week I’ll try to remember that.

Week in Review: A Reflection of October 30 – November 5, 2011

Spring 2012 class registration for returning students at Moraine Park was this past week. I’ll be focusing on my second program, the Office Assistant program. I signed up for four classes, all of which are during the daytime. The IT-Web Designer/Developer program, my first program, consists of all night or online classes. This will definitely be a change for me. One of the classes I signed up for is at 8:30 in the morning. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a class that early. But then again, I can’t complain because I won’t have to watch any of my favorite primetime shows online anymore.

I had to spend several hours in the computer lab, but I’m caught up with my self-paced Microsoft Access work. While I was on campus working on my homework, I noticed a book sale by the library. I bought a book by an author I like for only a dollar. The money is going to the United Way. What a great way to raise money, recycle, and buy some inexpensive books.

Week in Review: A Reflection of October 23 – 29, 2011

Mission accomplished. I finished my homework by Thursday night so I had the entire weekend off to celebrate Halloween. It really wasn’t the “fall break” like I thought it was going to be since there was a lot going on. The weather could have been better, but at least there was no snow or ice.

My online Photoshop class is moving along quickly. I looked ahead in the syllabus, and it appears we will be going through the entire book. That’s a lot of material to cover in half a semester. By taking this class and the Graphics for the Web class concurrently, I’m getting to know Photoshop CS5 really well. I’m trying to memorize more keyboard shortcuts as I go through my assignments. These are combinations of keys you press on the keyboard to get the program to perform a certain action rather than clicking through menus. It saves time.

I didn’t have a whole lot of time to work on my self-pace Microsoft Access assignments this past week, so I’ll have to make up for it this coming week. The December 8 date is looming closer. I definitely won’t be able to get all that work done in a week before the due date. Guess I’ll be spending lots of time in the computer lab this week!