Shanna Hunsaker's ePortfolio

Assignment One: 01.03 Computer Buying Project

Reflection: The purpose of this assignment was to familiarize myself with computer terms like the processor, the optical drive, and the motherboard. This assignment was like the introduction to the science behind a computer and how it works. I am including this assignment in my ePortfolio because it was the first assignment that educated me about computers and their functions. I was able to learn that a computer’s speed depends on its processor. The higher quality of the processor, the faster the computer runs. I realized that this is why my laptop runs so slowly: it has a low-quality processor. So, if I wanted a fast-running computer, I would need to focus on the processor.

Assignment Eight: 05.02 Handshake and Fence Post Activity

Reflection: This assignment’s purpose was to help me learn how to problem solve and create algorithms to solve these problems. I learned that problem solving can be quick and easy, but I learned that it can also be an intense, difficult process. I also learned different methods of problem solving, such as guessing and checking, thinking backwards, and finding patterns.

This assignment pertains to computer science because computers have to solve problems all the time, and people have to solve problems involving computers all the time. Whether it’s a computer solving a math problem, or a person solving a computer’s flaws, problem solving is very important in the world of computer science. I included this assignment in my ePortfolio because it was a very difficult activity that strained my brain, but helped me better understand how challenging working with computers may be.

Shanna Hunsaker's

Assignment Two: 02.06 Evaluate Websites

Reflection: The purpose of this assignment was to figure out how to determine if a website is credible or not. This is important when it comes to computer science because in research or any search online, I need to be able to weed out the incorrect information from the correct information. I learned in this assignment that sites like news websites have editors that make sure that the information sent in is correct and credible, mainly because they need to keep up their reputation as an irrefutable news source. I included this assignment in my ePortfolio because finding website credibility is crucial for any research online, and therefore is important in the world of computers.

ePortfolio

Exploring Computer Science (Q1)

Assignment Six: 04.06.02 Following Instructions

Reflection: The purpose of this assignment was to show me how important it is to be specific when giving instructions. I learned that it is pretty difficult to instruct how to do origami without pictures, and that without them, I need to be very precise in my instructions. This assignment pertains to computer science because it illustrated how specific you have to be in instructing a computer what to do, whether it's in a simple task like opening a browser, or whether it’s a more complex task like programming. I included this assignment in my ePortfolio because it is a good representation of being specific when giving instructions to a computer in words, not in images.

Assignment Three: 03.02 Communication Methods

Reflection: The purpose of this assignment was to establish the importance of sharing information through varying methods such as talking, texting, tweeting, etcetera. This assignment is important in the world of computer science because even through a computer there are many different ways to communicate. You can communicate through email, chat rooms, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Skype, Google Hangouts, and more. Knowing the appropriate times to use these methods is very important, as some information is better kept private, like over a one-on-one email conversation, and other information is okay to share with the world via Twitter or other social media. I learned that it is better to talk about personal matters in person, such as breaking up with a partner or even gossipping, while it’s better to have group discussions over text or video chat. I included this assignment in my ePortfolio because it is a good representation of the different forms of communication available to us today as well as the appropriate times to use them.

Assignment Five: 04.04 Data Journal

Reflection: The purpose of this assignment was to show me how often I give off data during the day. This is important to the field of computer science because computers are always giving off information, whether it’s via the internet, a word processor, or even a game preinstalled on the computer. Computers are constantly collecting and giving off data. I learned that I give off a lot more data than I think. I give off data by doing something as simple as attending class. My attendance is marked down as data even then. I included this assignment in my ePortfolio because data and the recording of it is an integral part of computer science.

Assignment Four: 03.03 Privacy

Reflection: The purpose of this assignment was to illustrate the importance of retaining your privacy online. I learned that it is imperative that I keep my personal information to myself on the internet. You never know who could use that information for the wrong reasons. I also learned that this information could also be in the form of pictures, not just in text. This assignment pertains to computer science because while online, it is best to keep your identity semi-anonymous so you can experience a risk-free computer experience. I chose to add this assignment to my ePortfolio because it was an eye-opener to how important it is to keep your personal information private.

Assignment Seven: 04.08.02 Intelligence

Reflection: This assignment’s purpose was to test my definition of intelligence. I learned that if computers pass the Turing Test, they are considered intelligent or and “intelligence”. This assignment pertains to computer science because it is testing the intelligence of the computer itself. It is testing whether a computer’s intelligence could be passed off at the same level as human intelligence. I chose to put this assignment in my ePortfolio because the question of “Are computers intelligent” has been around ever since computers was invented, and is still a big question today, so is very much a part of the field of computer science.