Quiz Day

Today we began by being put into pairs. In these pairs we had to match up key terms with their definitions. I found this task to be easy and so I was done with seven minutes to spare. We were then given an extension to come up with those words in a sentence, again I found this task easy and had 3 minutes to spare before the timer ran out.

We then moved on to being put into groups of five. In these groups we had to create a PowerPoint that had network suggestions and the equipment needed. We did this for two scenarios but annoyingly we did not get to present it to the class. In the afternoon we were given a quiz about the difference between 3G and 4G. We watched a video describing the differences before we then had to answer questions. I achieved a score of six meaning I do not have to do the quiz next week because someone scored two.

Overall today was a fun day because I go to do more teamwork based exercises which I enjoy because we don't often get to work in teams. I also enjoyed the quiz because it was not too challenging but then it was not too easy either. The negative of the day is probably the amount of work I still have left to do  

A Step by Step Guide

Today we began with a crossword. The crossword contained words to do with the communication technology unit we are currently doing. I felt that this task helped to remind us of the keywords and knowledge needed in this unit. I did not complete the crossword first because I was too slow and therefore I did not win the prize.

We then moved on to researching about step by step guides and the key features they have. I looked at the first three step by step guides that came up. They featured things like images, numbers and simple text. I felt this helped me prepare for the later activity of creating my own step by step guide about accessing Skype.

Overall the day was average because there was one fun activity in the crossword and the rest of the time was spent prepping us for assignment three. There was no quiz making the day slightly more boring and we had to make a mind map about the different types of network available and if they are wireless or wired.

Assignment 2

Today we began by downloading the charades application in order to begin with the first activity. We then had to place the device on our heads and began playing charades. I did not achieve very high scores because the video games that popped up Eaun had never heard of although this was the same for me.

We then moved on to taking notes about assignment two task two. In this task we have to make a table with transmission methods, the strengths and weaknesses of these transmission methods and how effective these methods are. I feel that the task is quite straightforward because it involves making a table and adding description.

Overall today was a good day because I enjoyed the activity at the start of the day and I finished assignment one and a section of assignment two. The negatives of the day was the note taking section of the day because I found this learning style to be not so beneficial to me because I found it hard to concentrate.  

Assignment Deadline

Today we began by completing any work for assignment one we had left. I continued with assignment one because I needed to finish both the five, six and seven sections of task two. I felt that I have done particularly well on these tasks because I followed criteria. I did not however manage to complete the whole of section seven which is why I need to finish it tomorrow.

We then moved on to discussing Encapsulation with John and how it allows users to connect up to other networks after this discussion we moved on to completing more of assignment one task two. I successfully referenced section six of task two and sent it off for marking.

Overall today was a very good day because I got lots of work done to the best of my ability and I learnt a bit more about Encapsulation. The negatives of the day were that I could finish section seven of task two and that I hurt my knee walking down the stairs. I hope to have assignment one task two completed tomorrow.  

The Digital World

Today we started off by having a fun session of countdown in which we played the number game and the word game. I did not do very well because I did not win any of the rounds we played. We were then shown a PowerPoint that was created to help explain about signals and wave forms.

We then moved on to installing Audacity so we could decrypt John's audio that he had used random effects on. We were then allowed to continue with any outstanding work that we had left on this unit. I continued with the assignment which was to describe network operating systems and connection software.  

Overall today was an average day because I got lots of work done and I was able to learn a bit more about how signals and wave forms work. The positives are that today is a Friday and that I got some work done. The negatives were that the football court was not available for use at lunch meaning I had to buy popcorn.

Assignment Work

Today we started off with a quiz that was about collision detection and avoidance. I found the quiz to be both fun and very easy because I managed to achieve a score of 10 out of 11. Unfortunately I did not score enough points to win the quiz but I do not have to do it next week because I did not come last.

We then moved on to working on assignments 1 and 2. I finished up the blogs about network services and network topographies. I had to then put these in a word document so that changes can be made to the document when it gets marked. I feel that I have met the requirements of the task because I looked at the scheme of learning for help.

Overall today was a bad day because I had to do an incredible amount of work and then at lunch we were kicked off a football court for kicking the ball over into the car park. I hope that I have less work to do tomorrow and that we can go back in the football court because lunchtimes can get boring without it.  

Network Tepologies and Other Stuff

Today we began by working on any tasks we had outstanding for the communication technology unit. I worked on task two which was to describe the different network types and the network set ups or tepologies as they are known. I manged to get both tasks done and I included references because I put images in the blogs.

We then did a quiz that involved using past knowledge from this unit to answer the questions. We then learnt the difference between an advantage and a benefit. We then recapped over the PowerPoint we were shown yesterday. I found this helpful because I had one or two things I needed to go over again.

Overall today was an average day because I got lots of work done and I sent off some work form a previous unit that needed to be handed in. The negatives of the day were that I only scored four in the quiz because I did not understand the difference between an advantage and a benefit. I also found learning about error checking to be boring.

   

Communication Models and Protocols

Today we started off by being put into four different teams. The teams had to develop a presentation about an assigned network type. The team I was assigned to had to come up with a presentation for Wireless Access Protocol. We decided to divide up the team and give ourselves different tasks. I had to research what WAP is and what it does.

We then moved on to talking about models that show how data is transferred from the computer to it's destination. We also looked at how IP address are assigned to computers. John put a very interesting map on the screen that showed where the computers IP address originated from

Overall today was a good day because I got to do some more teamwork and then present the work in front of the class. We also got to play a binary game which was fun and it helped to explain how binary works. The negatives of the day was the cold in the morning and having to look through a PowerPoint about models and protocols.    

Question answering and Communication Technology

Today we started off by learning about the different network surfaces and what they actually do. We learnt about broadband and the varied speeds it can have, we learnt about packets and how packets of data travel from one computer to another. I feel that I understand how each network surface works and there advantages and limitations.

The afternoon moved on to talking about communication models and protocols mainly talking about what they were and what the acronyms stood for. I understood most of this as I wrote down twenty comments on the PowerPoint mainly containing the definitions of each protocol and model.  

The answer to the question name the two top level protocols on TCP/IP is application and transport.
the answer to the question how many layers does the OSI model have? is that it has seven layers.
The answer to the question how many layers does the TCP/IP model have? is that it has four layers.
The answer to the question what does IP stand for? is that it stands for internet protocol.

Overall today started off well because I enjoyed the team work aspect of the day as we were given four network surfaces to research about. The afternoon then got complicated because I was presented with a sheet in which I had to fill in binary on the sheet. I could not do this for the life of me, the video didn't even help me.

New Unit

Today we began by talking about the key terms of communication technology. This includes Data Terminal Equipment and Data Circuit Terminating Equipment. We learnt what functions these had and how they can connect to a network and the limitations that they can have. At first I did not understand but then I researched and got help and found out what they do.

We then moved on to talking about different devices and their functions. We had to do this in a blog post and then copy and paste it into a Word document so that we could submit it properly. I felt that I did this assignment well and matched the criteria stated on the scheme of learning.

Overall today was a productive day because I got the first task of assignment one completed and I learnt lots of new terms and definitions. I also got to walk around the classroom with a technical term and then had to look for someone with the definition of my technical term. I was given LAN or local access network.

Games Designing (Still)

Today we started off by looking at the technical manual of a game. A technical manual is used to introduce a new games designer to a game midway through it's design. It contains a description of the game plus flow charts and algorithms. I have not started creating the technical manual yet as I am still creating both the game and the instruction manual for the game. I hope to begin creating the technical manual very soon.

I moved on to adding some more features to my instruction manual. I added an FAQ page so that it would meet the scheme of learning requirements plus it would be helpful for anyone wishing to play the game. I found it hard to add questions as my game did not have much wrong with it other than level 2 can only be reached by scoring 500 and then pressing up on the arrow key.

I then moved on to my game and I added the new level by creating another room and then adding all the objects necessary in order to make the game work. I then had to make the first level advance onto the second when a score limit is reached. I did this by using the test score option and then typing in 500 so that level 2 would appear. Unfortunately the level will only advance when 500 is scored and the up arrow key is pressed.

Overall today was an average day because I got some work done but not as much as usual because of my issues with level advancement within the game. The positives of today were that I worked hard and tired myself out which doesn't usually happen. The negatives of today were that pieces of work had to be handed in like my game and it is still not finished as of yet. I also had to hand in more work form a previous unit.   

Still Games Designing

Today we began by writing up reviews about the professional development plan. We had to evaluate the targets we had set earlier on in the unit. We also wrote up about how achievable and challenging we felt these targets were. I also covered the the strengths and weaknesses of the targets and how it helped us when it came to designing the game. I felt that the review contains as much information as I could put in but there are only two long paragraphs there so I perhaps need to think up of other topics.

We then moved on to creating the instruction manual for our games. We had to create a cover, an introduction section, controls page, descriptions of each of the characters, images of the items and brief description and images of the menus and how to navigate them. I felt that the majority of the instruction manual was very good because it has all the required content except for the images of the in game menus because I have not finished creating these yet.

I then continued with my games design and today I added another power up which destroys a certain asset for a limited period of time before it comes back. I had to use the destroy instance tool on Game-Maker and then write up a piece of code for the timing of the event. I felt that dragging the tool was very simple but the coding caused a problem because I cannot code and I do not know how to get things to function.

Overall today was an average day because I got lots of work done but I still have lots to do in order to meet the upcoming deadlines. The positives of today were the quantity of work I got done and sending off some previous work from a different unit. The negatives were that I still have lots more work to do and then we start a new unit on Thursday which will mean more work.

Game Designing

Today we began by making more of the game we are required to make for assignment three. I began by setting up more sprites and power ups to be included in the game. I then set up the first power up which is stealth. by changing the looks of the character using the change sprite tool. I then used code to make so that after 20 seconds the power up wears off and the sprite changes back to it's original state. I feel that at first the task was relatively simple until I had to make the effects of the power up wear off at that point I struggled because I had to use code and I am not very good at coding.

I then moved on to adding the extra life power up into the game by creating a sprite and object to be included in the game. I then used the set lives tool and made so that when the character collides with the power up it gains an extra life. I struggled with this at first because the lives would not increase and so I had to use YouTube tutorials in order to find the correct method of adding an extra life to the game.

I need help with making sprites objects disappear but then reappear after a certain time. The alarm techniques seems very complicated and so I will probably have to use code although I find coding hard so I will probably require assistance at some point.

Overall today was a very average day because I got as much work as I could done although I will probably need an extension because I was away yesterday. The positives of today was the amount of sprites and objects I added to the game. I also got them to function well within the game by testing it. The negatives of today were that I still have lots of work to do on my game and I keep having muscle injuries within my left leg which the hospital need to look at when they can.

January Blues

Today I worked on my maze game for assignment three because the deadline for the assignment is on Friday this week. I began by making the background of my games assets transparent so that they could look more life like and not have huge coloured squares around them. I then added a scoring system in order to make my game more competitive and enjoyable. I felt I have done very well in adding these features into my game because they both work.

I then added a life system to add more danger and fun into the game. I did this by using the set life counter feature and then making it so the lives decrease every time the character comes into contact with enemies. I then added the power up asset and made it so it appears in the maze every ten seconds. I felt I did well at adding these tools and features because they both work and add an element of fun into the game.

I enjoyed adding in the power up the most because it was challenging and difficult at first but after overcoming the problems I successfully got the power up to spawn in every 10 seconds and spawn at random points within the maze. I least enjoyed making the life system as it was quite similar to the score system in how it works and functions. Every time the character would come into contact with the enemies it would take away a life one at a time.

Overall today was an average day because I got lots of work done considering how much I usually struggle with game maker and programming things. I found the day to be very tiring because after having two weeks off I am struggling with tiredness due to all the relaxing I did. Hopefully I can be less tired after working by the end of this week.