Self Managed Learning Plan – Evaluation
The time really has gotten away from me with this project. It is fair to say that the second year has been a black hole as far as time is concerned. The use of iCal for my time management has been a real bonus for me; although, there are still instances where it could be used more efficiently.
Learning Outcome 1
The essay provided me with a great introduction to the assignment. Previously, I was unaware of the value of server-side programming language in employment; I always assumed that this level of coding was left to specialist software developers.
During the weeks leading up to the self managed learning plan, I had envisioned the project to have a little less structure and be simply a case of getting stuck in; which has been my basis of self taught languages and skills previously.
One thing that was apparent from the research was that there is an overwhelming bias towards experience over qualifications. Again, this was particularly alien when compared to my previous experiences of looking for employment. This worries me as although I understand the value of my (soon to be) qualification, my findings suggest that there is much work to be done beyond the course; a gap that only employment and experience will fill. The first year / two years certainly appears to be a massive obstacle between me and employment in the industry beyond an entry level positions.
The levels of pay are around the figures that I had in mind after a couple of years in the industry; this reaffirmed the preliminary research that I did before applying for the course.
Learning Outcome 2
There has been much amalgamation between learning outcomes 2 & 3 due to their nature. Although I generated much paper based evidence for this learning outcome, I feel that much of the developmental work happened ‘on screen’. Again, by the nature of the assignment it has been difficult for me to get away from this style of learning.
Whilst my learning style has been much more structured during this project than previously self taught new skills, the most valuable resource that I possess has helped me beyond any tutorial or reference book; my ability to make mistakes.
Without this resource my understanding would not have gone beyond learning to recite the typed words both online and in my books. By experimenting and casing issues within my code (sometimes accidently and sometimes purposefully) has shown me some of the limitations and capabilities of server side programming.
Learning Outcome 3
The realization of the brief has proven to be much more complex that I first thought. There have been delays due to my health (and associated worry), the client, the client and, you guessed it, the client. It is the age-old story of endless promises with little to no delivery when it comes to content and imagery. As a result, I have used some stock photographs that I have of my Suzuki Vitara as place holders. It had crossed my mind that I should have used a fictitious brief; that way I would have had a little more control.
Running alongside the ‘Content is King’ assignment I think that it would be appropriate to name this particular project ‘Syntax is King’ as the majority of issues I have encountered have been syntax related; there simply isn’t a ‘nearly right’ when it comes to programming. The slightest issue can cause problems with validation or produce fatal errors rendering the script unusable.
Learning Outcome 4
The reflective weekly journals could have had a little more rich content such as example code and screen shots but I felt that this was difficult to do on a weekly basis as the learning was much more dynamic and trial and error based than that.
As a result, I feel that the weekly journals lacked depth and weight. I enjoyed using TextPattern to manage the SMLP web site; partly because it was (at that time) something new and partly because it was going to run along side the ‘Content is King’ assignment but it fell by the way side when the work load intensified for both projects.
Conclusion
Learning in this way hasn’t been without complications and frustrations but it certainly has taught me a life skill, (beyond the server side language the I have learned) and that skill is to teach myself.
There have been times of joyous celebrations accompanied by an abundance of frustrating and infuriating times during this project. I can remember thinking “this is just *physically impossi*… oh wait…” and just like that the solution would come to me.
Given the chance to do this project over I think that I would have spent less time recovering the basics of PHP that I covered during the team project and spent more time learning as I go whilst fulfilling the clients brief.
Additionally, I feel that I set myself an unrealistic goal of a complex, live client to work with. I am disappointed that although I have demonstrated my knowledge of PHP, the site isn’t ready for hand over to the client. The site will continue to develop beyond the time constraints of this particular assignment and should provide me with an exemplary piece of work for my portfolio; but as it stands currently, there is much left to be desired especially from an aesthetical point of view.
When I look around the class, I see much more realistic briefs and as a result, better projects. The term ‘bitten off more than I can chew’ comes to mind but I have most certainly enjoyed the project and have taken a lot away from it.
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