T171 ECA - Module 2 reflection
Learning Skills
As I have already stated this is not my first year with the OU. Creating a study journal as described in Exercises 1 and 2 I had already learned on previous courses. I no longer use the method as I have developed my own way of taking notes and allocating study time. I use eNotes from my-enotes.com to capture relevant information from Websites, then make up my notes from this when off-line. I did a report writing course some years ago through my work and was already capable of the analytical reading techniques of Exercise 3. The concept maps in Exercise 4 I had already come across on the the report writing course and other OU courses (i.e. THD204 IT and Society makes extensive use of them) and have always found them useful.
Ideas and Concepts
I was already conversant with all of the objectives of the module but I feel I learned the following:
I knew of most of the names of the key players in this module little about the person. Using the course materials and the WWW was able to broaden my knowledge of the person.
I already knew quite a lot about Xerox PARC from M206 "Object Orientated Programming" and programs I had watched on The Discovery Channel. I learnt about the more Xerox Alto and Star, WYSIWYG and why technologies developed at Xerox PARC were so instrumental in starting the PC revolution.
Appendix
Objectives of Module 2:
After studying this module you should be able to:
give a coherent and informed account of the development of the personal
computer;
identify the key people, organisations and technologies who have played
a part in the development of the personal computer;
explain the basic architecture of a computer and the functions of its
main hardware and software components;
appreciate the cultural context in which technological developments take
place;
understand the key business concepts particular to the PC industry;
talk comfortably about the current issues in the PC industry;
recognise familiar trends in new developments;
write a report on a relevant issue;
find and assess relevant information.
Source: Cut and pasted from T171 Web site.
This was my attempt at Exercise 4 - Concept Maps
