Programming Robots!

Aims and Objectives:

*Have a basic understanding of the NxC language.
*Understand how NXT and NxC relate.
*Refamiliarize with flowcharts and Pseudo code.

Hello!

Over my independent study time, I completed the Joy of Food programme where I have been cooking weekly for a month. It was a great help towards my confidence and I will be using the recipe book in university. I recommend the course greatly. I also completed U26_A3T2 and submitted it, as well as doing some art.

Coming in today, it's completely different. We had John. John continued U24 unit and we had a fun, relaxed day where we learnt and experimented how to program robots. A strength of today was being able to understand the basic functions, how it works briefly and to get the robot working. However, a weakness is that I would not be able to write my own code at this current level of knowledge.

There are many additional things to consider. Such as problem solving, time to test and debug, time to experiment and more. Reflecting on today, it has been fun but a little tiring. I am glad to know that it is half term now.

See you in a week's time.

Triple Unit Wield!

Aim: To explain the key elements of event driven programming.

Objectives:
Understand the purpose of event driven programming.
Identify the key features of an event driven program.
Describe in detail the key features of event driven programming.

Hello!

At the start of the day, Zoë decided to give us a longer starter. We had to pair up into twos or threes and create a pitch about a piece of new technology on Kickstarter. I teamed up with Ben R and Adam M to research and pitch about Apollo 7 - a true wireless earphone. I found this task to be fun and gives me another glance at today's rising technology.

Afterwards, I got the new unit's folder structure and completed the pre-unit survey. It is safe to admit that I am not very good at this and hold little interest, however I am always willing to learn. The new unit is Event Driven Programming. Note: We are working on thee units in one go, U14 Event Driven Programming, U24 Controlling IT Systems and U26 Mathematics for IT Practitioners.

Before going into the unit, Zoë gave us whiteboards and introduced the new unit to us by telling us to write down every event that takes place in an application we choose. I chose Adobe Photoshop and wrote down every single aspect I knew about it that is considered an event. This was okay because I got to refresh my current knowledge, but I did not learn anything new as a weakness simply because the activity was more of a memory-task.

Zoë then explained U14_A1T1 about the key features of event driven programming. For this part I almost fell asleep because I was tired but I also listened. What was a great help is that Zoë put the powerpoint in the folder so it helped me for the assignment. I also did my own research and ended up finishing the first task, this is a strength and is only worth a pass criteria.

Reflecting on today, it has been a bit between productive and unproductive. It is productive because I got my work done but it was also a little unproductive because if we did not do anything irrelevant, I would of gotten more done, especially on the U26_A3T2. I also had some issues today and I sorted it out with Catherine once again, and this was my inspiration for the day. For my next steps, I will wait for more work on the next college day (Friday) to continue more. Note the college is not open on Thursday.

Proportional Integral Derivative + ASCII!

Aim: To understand control loop theory.

Objectives:
*Explain the principles and uses of proportional control and explain its benefits.
*Briefly explain integral and differential control with examples.
*Identify how integral and differential combine with proportional to create an efficient control system.

Today's starter was a video Zoë showed us. It is a video about virtual reality and how it is applied to real life such as gaming and army training. I find this very interesting but it looks slightly odd how we walk and tilt our heads around looking like a dodd, lol.

Zoë then went through the remaining parts of U24_A2. This was the last part of control loop theory which was about proportional, integral and derivative controls and its uses. A strength of today is being able to complete all my work and submit A2. I found U24_A2 relatively easy to understand because Zoë explained things clearly and concise. Due to this, I learnt more about what sorts of everyday facilities, utilities and technologies uses for DIP.

Furthermore, I then moved onto the work John sent us yesterday for U26_A3T2. I did one half where I had to talk and explain about ASCII. An inspiration was John teaching yesterday because it was very focused and beneficial. I managed to complete all I can here, and will do the last part at home. This part is all about gathering the IPs of different electronic devices. 

To reflect for today, I have made a lot of progress and will continue to remain ahead by working independently at home. All this work has helped me learnt to manage my time in the most efficient way possible.

See you next week!

Proportional Controls In Life!

Aim: To understand control loop theory.

Objectives:
Briefly explain what open and closed loop systems are.
Explain the principles of proportional control and the benefits.
Describe an example of proportional control in detail.

Hello!

This morning, Zoë recapped both open and closed loop systems - these were easily memorable therefore they were quite easy to recap on. This was a strength. We also had the quiz that Alex S made, it was irrelevant to the unit and is all about the latest graphics card. I had no prior knowledge therefore I found it hard, however I did not come last. Jordan did and he has to make next week's quiz. For feedback, it should be more relevant so it is fair, however it is quiz after all.

Next, Zoë covered another part of A2 - Proportional controls. This is a type of controller found in closed loop systems to help compare the error against the reference and therefore adjust the input to get the correct output. This was relatively simple to understand (aside from the maths) and is a strength. Afterwards, as I was ahead, I helped Zoë test the level 3's game and this was quite fun. Everyone also begun to submit their work for Maths.

After Lunch, we had our first lesson with John! John went through M4, which is essentially explaining all about ASCII, UTF-8 and Binary in IP Addresses, examples and more. We even got to write definitions (via research) and discuss it together. It was really interesting and I am eager to start U26_A3T2 soon.

Open and Closed Control Systems!

Aim: To understand the key principles of control loop theory.

Objectives:
Understand the difference between open and closed systems and provide supporting examples.
Explain the purpose of feedback and how it helps a system.
Identify how to make feedback more efficient to improve a system.

Hello!

For starters today, Zoë gave us a crossword in regards to control systems. Me and Ben R were first to complete it competitively. This was fun but it would be cool if Zoë tested us on what each term means to further boost our memory. In addition, Zoë recapped logic gates and I made a few more notes on this. We also had an activity on truth tables, this was pretty fun and a strength of today was to attempt at it. Although I am not thoroughly the best at it, it was decent.

Zoë also covered a lot of U24_A2 today about open and closed systems. We watched an interesting video on this and also researched ourselves, this was a strength. A weakness was not being able to move onto the proportional part. 

At the end of the day, I got ahead, submitted U24_A1 and played Minecraft. :) 

Learning w/ Special Tutor!

Aims: To describe how data can be represented in control systems.

Objectives:
*Express numbers using some of: binary, hexadecimal, BCD and ASCII.
*Explain some data types.
*Explain some logic gates and write truth tables.
*Describe in detail number systems, logic, logic operators and data types.

Hello!

This morning I realised that the seating plan had changed, this felt like it was a good adjustment. As for starters, Zoë showed us a video about how Viv may beat Siri in terms of usefulness as Viv gives direct answers rather than search engine searches. Personally, I am all for intelligent features but I do believe too much artificialness would be dangerous.

For the entire of the morning, Zoë taught us the remaining parts required for U24_A1T3, which is also a pass criteria. She covered the different kinds of codes with us, including binary, hexadecimal, binary coded decimal and ASCII. Since we know most of this prior to learning with Emily, everyone understood what it means and does and therefore this is a strength.

Additionally, we then split up into pairs and researched about different logical operators and numbers in terms of data types. These were the AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR gates and Integer, Fixed Point, Floating Point and Double data types. For this part, I felt like I did not get enough information from the presentations from other pairs, but the good thing is that Zoë went through it again and that I can always research furthermore.

Until Lunch, I worked on U24_A1T3 as much as possible and ended up finishing explaining the different types of code and begun on logical operators. After Lunch a man named Ze (hope I spelt it right) came in and taught us for around half an hour. His teaching were about the IPv4 addressing, its application in home network and short comings of the system. There were instances that he covered I understood, such as about binary (again) and the different kinds of classes. However, since it was quite short, it was a lot to process and I didn't understand everything. Plus, my interest in the technical side is not the biggest as much as I try, therefore there's a limit to how much I can take in. Nonetheless, it was a good change and if he becomes a tutor I think we will learn a lot more than what we believe.

Reflecting on today, it has been an amazing day with good productivity. I really think the seating plan change helped. Over the weekends, I am going to work on U24_A1T3 and get assignment one completed overall and ready for U24_A2. I will also work on art for the upcoming competition.

Thank you! Bye.

Analogue and Digital in Control Systems!

Aim: To understand the requirements for control systems.


Objectives:
Know what a control system is and the main types.
Explain the characteristics of digital and analogue control systems.
Compare specific examples of analogue and digital systems.

Hello!

Over my independent study time, I went to the small optional cookery course again and made pizza. I decided to go because I would like the recipe book for when I go to university - it will come in handy.

This morning, Zoë introduced a class to a game called Sea Hero Quest. It is a game that will battle dementia, such as memory loss. The concept and plot of the game revolves around it as well as helping victims with it. It was really interesting and we did a quiz on it too. In the end, I came 2nd with 8/10 and Adam came first with 8.5/10, whereas Alex S got the least with 4. Lol. The monitor goes to... Euan, again. No one cares about the monitor. :)

Zoë then gave us all a recap on what we did on Monday. What a control system is, what it is used for and the four different types of control systems. Next, throughout the day we went through different subheadings for U24_A1T2. These were: Microcontrollers, filtering, conditioning and comparison between analogue and digital with application. 

Although I am finding no benefit in learning the current unit (personally), I am still enjoying it thoroughly - I managed to complete U24_A1T2 and stay ahead. I also took this opportunity to ask Catherine questions. One of them was about my Student Finance and the other was in regards to personal queries.

For Maths today, John had supposedly forgot to teach us (lol) so we have one Maths lesson for catch up. Since I'm done, I will attempt to help a peer or two then leave earlier for the day. 

Reflecting on today, it has been productive and not as dull as before. It must've been due to my tiredness to be honest. I have decided to start U24_A1T3 tomorrow and submit U24_A1 by then. Good bye! 

New Unit! Unit 24- Controlling Systems Using IT!

Aims: To understand the requirements of control systems.

Objectives:
Know what a control system is and their importance.
Briefly explain the four main types of control systems.
Explain what digital and analogue systems are and their strengths, weaknesses and conversion.
Explain what micro-controllers are.

Hello!

Today is a brand new start to a fresh unit: Unit 24 - Controlling System using IT. The first thing Zoë did was show us a video for starter. The video was about OceanOne - a controlled system used to dive into deeper parts of the unexplored sea. I have learnt that controlled systems can aid humans in handling tasks that are otherwise highly dangerous. I also took this time to grab the new folder structure and complete the pre-unit survey. In addition to this, we had a small activity where Zoë told us to create a flowchart of how a robot spins 5 times and checks its temperature if the sound is over 100db. Using the correct shapes, this was a good refresher for what we learnt last year and earlier in the previous units.

For a good part of the day Zoë explained the different types of control systems and why they are useful. These different control systems were command systems, programmable systems, sensing systems and conditional systems. I researched each one and created my own definitions. This helped me start and complete U24_A1T1 as it was relatively easy.

Next, we started to look at U24_A1T2 together as a class. This is about analogue and digital control systems. Zoë split the class into pairs or groups of three for research about it. Me and Alex S were paired up to learn about the strengths of analogue systems. As we learnt about it in the past, a slight bit of research aided us beneficially. In the end, I managed to complete the pass criteria of T2 and started the merit criteria for the last section.

Overall, I am finding this unit really boring but that is because I have little interest in the computing/programming side. Nonetheless, it is still interesting to learn, in a way! I'm doing my best, that's what I can be proud off.

See you on Thursday!

Just Another Day

Aim: Complete assignment three.

Objectives:
Complete the student quiz.
Describe what you will achieve today and set yourself a SMART target.
Write a report that demonstrates suitable, accurate and relevant information from what you have processed.
Proofread your work and submit.
Write an inspirational blog.
Hello!

As I am ahead, I did not do much at home except for progressing on my creative designs. However, I did attend a cooking-course called 'Joy of Cooking' with Sami, Adam and other Level 3 participants. We learnt how to cook Chicken Noodles in a healthy manner and this is an easy yet simple recipe for my university life. I'm looking forward for next week.

This morning, I changed my email's password for security reasons and then did the starter. It was about what we will achieve today - well, it's everything in this blog! We also had a Kahoot quiz made by Alex W. It was interesting as it was about the overall year, although I got one wrong, I got the rest right and I felt knowledgeable about what I learnt. In the end, Jordan got the least and Tom L got the most with 10k score - came second.

Afterwards, as everyone continued with their work, I submitted mine in the submission folder, completed the Scheme of Assessment, completed the End of Year Survey and also spoke to Fergal (organisation leader of End of Year Show) about the invitation designs I made and the one Connor adjusted. In the end, we re-adjusted the brightness and am now awaiting him to create the event and official email for everyone.

For the rest of the morning until my time with Emily, I revised number systems (especially octal) and did some art for the sake of it, whilst listening to some dank music.

My advice for this unit is to gather and research as much as possible so you can understand the key aspects of what is being taught. This unit is also very repetitive in terms of assignments and tasks, therefore it is dull overall. What would make it more interesting is through independent research and linking the work to an example you are comfortable with.


Objectives from Emily:
*Recall how to calculate hexadecimal addition and subtraction
*Decide how to best use your time to revise for the assignment test.
*Share best methods of calculating operations in number systems
*Pass the assignment test.

After lunch, we revised about the test. I revised octal as and hexadecimal as they seem hardest. This was useful because it refreshed my mind but the longer the test is away from being done the more pressure seems to be there. Eventually, we completed the test. I am proud of what I have achieved but I will redo the submission if I get anything wrong.

On a side note, I have nothing to do with Adam and therefore I do not need to come in tomorrow.