Mid Semester Recap

How am I doing in CT101? What grade do I believe I am maintaining? 

Ct101 has been everything that I imagined it to be but even better because of the instructor and course curriculum. The first few weeks were relatively simple:

  • learning how to make gifs
  • learning the history of gifs and memes
  • implementing them into our Blogs
DameTime Poster// Tashi Dorjee

Then I noticed the class progress, especially during the DS106 assignment where we looked at different Communications technology mediums. For that assignment, I made a sports poster and researched making a day vlog video. I spent week six searching domain names, and now I am learning how to make a website. 

Although I cannot attend every class live- I have a genuine passion for communications technology and love the fact that Professor Seslow is so organized. His course curriculum has allowed busy people to allocate time properly while still keeping up to date with the assignments and education. I have been making a constant effort to try much more complex strategies with my blog posts because I cannot attend the class and have dialogue, so I try to show my understanding through the work I produce and the lectures I watch. 

As far as grading goes, I have been able to catch up on all assignments to date, try new things within blog posts using Adobe Creative Cloud, which I learned myself. I also think about text placement, images, and spacing in my blogs. From my first post to my more recent post, I feel that I have way more confidence in some of the practical skills we learned initially, like using blog tools before upload, media upload, and gifs move. In conclusion, I would give myself an 87 for a maintained grade right now. 

What have I learned the most? What is my greatest learned asset in this class so far?

Adobe Logos// Google Images

My greatest learned asset was the Ds106 project, where I got to go on adobe creative cloud and mess with applications like Illustrator and photoshop to create a Sports Project. Although I feel more confident in producing gifs and memes because of repetition- I like the challenge of working with new mediums, and Ds106 pushed me out of my comfort zone to learn applications that have always been intimidating. I look forward to working with Adobe Creative Cloud in my free time and using it more in my blogs and website. 

What skills have I developed, cultivated, and regularly displayed in my posts?

Through Ct101 and professor Seslow’s lectures, I have understood the dynamic ways to get across a message outside of just using texts. I make it a point of emphasis to get across a message visually if possible because it allows me to hone in and practice these skills I learn. I have also grown comfortable using blog tools like hyperlinks, spacing, text size, and text boldness. I have developed and regularly displayed these skills in my post to show my understanding, thought process, and growth since the first week.

How do I assess my performance through self-reflection in this class?

When I consider my performance in this class, I like to refer back to my first posts, my mind going into that post, and how I feel after six weeks of blogging. I’ve noticed that I can find commands quicker six weeks into the class. In my last couple of posts, I have also seen that I am more mindful of layout and stylistic elements to bolster the story in my blogs, whereas in the beginning, my only concern was getting through the blog because I was so lost. These skills I have developed over time will be beneficial when I make my website because I want to be very particular in laying it out. 

What do I know now that I did not know before taking this class?

Before taking CT101, I was always interested in communications technology but had no starting point. With this class, I have been able to dive in slowly at my own pace and learn the fundamentals Professor Seslow teaches to create a website ultimately. The biggest lessons I have taken away from this class so far are how to structure blogs, create memes, create posters, and create gifs.

Do I see my weekly blogging work expanding creatively? If so, please explain – or am I stuck in a loop where my posts seem to look the same most of the time? How will I change that?

For every post I write, I use a couple of elements I have learned from Professor Seslow to create a whole blog. I have noticed that I am getting better at the layout for my blogs every week and getting more creative with my blogs’ flow to see where pictures, gifs, hyperlinks are appropriate. On the other hand, I would like to challenge myself to create more digital work for my blogs and start implementing one every week to flex my creative muscles.