Gratitude

This course has finally come to an end.

There are tons of bittersweet and memorable experience during this course. Time has escaped my attention, it has already been 7 weeks in this short semester. In truth, it is a hectic and crazy semester with so many workloads and all. I can say that it's a worthwhile learning experience. 

"To have a solid foundation of computer's knowledge as well as improving it and have a great time learning this course!"

This was what I wrote 7 weeks earlier while completing the database on my aim for the course. I can gratefully mention that I have achieved my aim. I have improved my knowledge on computer greatly from all the assignments I had completed. Little did I know that I will be learning so much, ranging from survey form, SPSS, database, spreadsheet, courseware et cetera. And I never expect myself using new web-based applications as well as computer software to complete the course. I'm always comfortable with my usual software, but this course has given me opportunity to explore on new programmes. I'm glad to be able to learn something new and to step out from my comfort zone. 

One of the most challenging obstacles I faced throughout the course is time management. Previously, I had difficulties in managing my time wisely. I often found myself slacking behind time because there's just "no time" for me. In the end, I felt extremely exhausted from the amount of workload as I have not completed the previous one. As I pace along this course, I tell myself not to procrastinate any longer and try to finish my work in a given time. It was hard at first but gradually, I am able to finish work in classroom and no more delaying work. Azrul, as an amazing partner, has given me motivation to complete our work on time and for this, I owe him my sincere gratitude.

What I've discovered about learning ICT is that it is not a one-time thing. You learn about ICT, directly or indirectly. Once you acquire basic knowledge in it, little chance that you will forget it. The one thing I like about ICT is that there's always a solution. Even when you fail once, twice or countless times, there is a light at the end of tunnel. There's a way to everything. ICT may be hard for a beginner to handle, but once they get the gist, ICT can be fun and exciting. ICT is all about self-exploration. Whatever steps or theories written in the book is not sufficient to cover the practical part of ICT. ICT is not learned by the book. It is of experiences and experiments. As ICT becomes the working vehicle in today's era, it is important to utilise the skills in bringing in development and changes to the nation.

Before I end this post, I would like to convey my warmest appreciation to:

• Dr. Siti Fatimah Mohd Yassin
• Encik Mohammad Fariduddin Wajdi Anthony
• Ahmad Azrul Afeze bin Ahmad Rosdi
• B. Ed TESL (IPGKS-UKM)

I will never be able to accomplish all these without your guidance and support throughout this course. Everyone has been so amazing and helpful! It's a roller-coaster ride with excitement, anxiety and fun all mixed in together :)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

La fin~

B. Ed TESL IPGKS-UKM
IPG Kampus Sarawak
Jalan Bakam 98009
Miri

E-mail: barbarakath108@gmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/barbara_kath
http://www.facebook.com/barbarakath

Database

Good morning everyone!

After we did spreadsheet this week, we also had to create a database. This database is for student management information using OpenOffice Base. This was my first time creating a database because I have not done anything related to database before. Despite such unfamiliarity, instructions on how to create a database given by our lecturer is comprehensible. I owe my work this time around to our one and only, Mr. Mohammad Fariduddin. He endlessly given support to us and I truly appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

Included in the weekly instructions, we are supposed to:

1. Tables: Create table in Design view (4 separate tables)

• student table(use student ID as a Primary key)
• parent table (use student ID as a Primary key)
• curriculum table (use student ID as a Primary key)
• co-curriculum table(use student ID as a Primary key)

2. Tool->Relationship: Create relationships between tables by linking

the student ID (That is why not to create student name for other

tables except Student Table!)

3. Use Wizard to Create Form:

• Student Form
• Parent Form
• Curriculum Form
• Co-curriculum Form

4. Data entry using Form (Note: do not use table for data entry)

5. Create several queries from the database

6. Create reports based on the queries

Using these outline to create a database is already sufficient for myself. Though I must say, there has been countless trial and errors in creating reports based on the queries. As the tables were supposed to be separate, I couldn't find a way to merge the data entry into one single table in the report. That means I have four reports based on four queries. Therefore, Azrul made another attempt with a different way, that is combining the tables into one during the table creation. There were only query so, one report was created with all the data on different column. This method differs with the first method of separating the table. 

I've uploaded a copy of the report on my Yahoo! group. 

Link: http://bit.ly/q4QkHS 

In short, creating a database isn't as easy as expected. There were many shortcomings throughout the process but I believe that with efforts, anything is possible. When a certain something is new to us, is is essential that when we try and fail, we should try again until we succeed. It all comes with hard work. 

As of importance in creating database, we possess prior knowledge to it before we move on to something harder in the near future. I'm sure I'll be encountering it again, harder and more complicated. Having basic knowledge on how to create a simple database prepares us for the next challenge.

To conclude, this is our last assignment of this course. But it isn't the last for this blog.

A "Thank You" post is coming right up :)

B. Ed TESL IPGKS-UKM
IPG Kampus Sarawak
Jalan Bakam 98009
Miri

E-mail: barbarakath108@gmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/barbara_kath
http://www.facebook.com/barbarakath

Spreadsheet

After an enjoyable week of multimedia, we're moving on to something serious this week. 

It's SPREADSHEET!

So, what's a spreadsheet?
A spreadsheet is a table of values arranged in rows and columns. Spreadsheet applications are computer programs that let you create and manipulate spreadsheets electronically. In a spreadsheet application, each value sits in a cell. You can define what type of data is in each cell and how different cells depend on one another. The relationships between cells are called formulas, and the names of the cells are called labels. (Source: Webopedia) Basically, there are numerous spreadsheet application available on the Net and most widely used is Microsoft Excel. OpenOffice Calc is also another application that can be used for spreadsheet.

What did I do this week?
We had to come up with a personal financial management on income and spending. May sounds easy but let's move on to the next instruction. To link the formula between the sheets. I looked up on Google how to link the formula between the sheets since I had little experience in doing spreadsheets. Azrul was the saviour of the day for stumbling into steps on how to link the formula. He showed me on his laptop and more or less, I can comprehend on how to link the formula. The balance from the first month was able to be added to the balance of the next month and consecutively. We created one spreadsheet, ranging from January until December. The balance (income minus spending) of January was added to February and the subsequent months. I am very grateful that we managed to complete the spreadsheet successfully without much hassle. Objective accomplished!

Apart from creating a personal financial management, we also had to plan, create and edit a spreadsheet of
students score and grade analysis. Among the functions we had to utilise is VLOOKUP, STDEV, AVERAGE and COUNTIF. These functions are useful as it allows values of data to be read automatically from the given range. Knowing how to use spreadsheet is valuable because we are going to use them in the future for students' score input. There is no longer a need to insert score and grade manually to the spreadsheet as it can be calculated easily using the functions. Honestly, using Microsoft Excel is so much easier if compared to OpenOffice Calc. The functions button are easily accessible in the navigation bar and a drop down box will appear. One can select whatever functions applicable to calculate certain data.

I've learned so much again this week from spreadsheet. Spreadsheet is not something I'm familiar with since I rarely use it on daily basis. This course has provided me an opportunity to learn something new and thus, I can use these skills in the future. At least next time I encounter spreadsheet, I will not be lost and use the techniques learned wisely.

Happy Spreadsheet-ing!

Links to our spreadsheet: 

1. http://bit.ly/noX4MX
2. http://bit.ly/q7N3KQ 

B. Ed TESL IPGKS-UKM
IPG Kampus Sarawak
Jalan Bakam 98009
Miri

E-mail: barbarakath108@gmail.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/barbara_kath
http://www.facebook.com/barbarakath