CS2190: Self-Learning Activity and Report

You will need to do the following by the deadlines indicated. (All deadlines are 11:50pm.)

1. State your topic, and...
2. Define a self-learning plan, due Feb. 18
3. Progress report 1 due March 4
   
4. Progress report 2 due March 25 April 4
   
5. Results and Evaluation due April 8 Sat., April 24, noon
   
6. Artifacts that demonstrate learning

You will create a report on your self-learning experience.  This will be one document that grows over the semester.  Each deliverable (part) will begin on a new page. You'll add to the end of it, and resubmit it as each check-point deadline is reached.  I'll grade what you've submitted so far at each deadline.

Part 1:  Choose a subject area, technology, etc. that you'd like to learn something about.  It can be something that other students have also chosen.  It has to be something that you're interested in so that you are self-motivated enough to learn.   Post your topic and any brief ideas about it that you want in the Discussion Forum for this.  Post in the Discussion forum as soon as you wish -- this is not required but strongly encouraged.  (When you turn in Part 2, briefly state your topic as the first section of the report.)

Part 2:  Make an informal plan about how you will learn about this and what you will do as practical exercises to show that you have learned something.  You might list websites or books or tutorials that you'll look at.  You should give a list of things you will do to demonstrate learning, each resulting in a recognizable achievement.  (You've written a program that does X; you've installed and configured a server for Y; you've written a short tutorial for beginners on Z; you've trained a friend on how to use W; etc.)  This is just a plan.  At the end we expect you to have tried to follow it, but fully expect you'll modify it or decide you bit off too much or didn't define enough.
In your report, document your plan and submit it by Feb. 18.

Parts 3 and 4:  Progress reports: by the data specified, give a short paragraph in your report stating what you have done and whether your plan is working out OK or if you've changed.  You must submit revised documents that show you are making progress by the two dates given above.

Parts 5 and 6:  Results:   In your report write up a description of how successful you've been in your self-learning.  Explain what you have achieved.  Imagine you were explaining this to your boss or to a potential employer in an interview.  Be frank about what problems you ran into.  Explain if your plan worked out or if you had to change it.  Describe the things you did that demonstrate learning, and attach them or provide links to them as the "Artifacts" of your self-learning activity.