Final Project
Week Five Application – Final Project
Brian D. Harvey
Contemporary Communications
Walden University
October 11, 2009 / Week 5
Professor Roman Dzuba
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Table of Contents
Part I: Plan Your Next Three Quarters at Walden ................................................................... 3
Part 2: Personal Skills Inventory Essay ............................................................................................. 6
Appendix A: Personal Skills Inventory Chart ................................................................................. 8
Appendix B: Personal Network Diagram ........................................................................................ 10
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Part I: Plan Your Next Three Quarters at Walden
Quarter Name: Fall 2009
Quarter Start Date: Class 1 and 2 - September 8, 2009, Class 3 and 4 – October 19, 2009
Class 1 and 2 – First 6 Weeks
COMM 1001: Contemporary Communications
CMIS 1000: Developing Student Portfolios for CIS
Class 3 and 4 – Second 6 Weeks
CMIS – 1001: Introduction to Information Systems
MATH – 0099: Algebra Fundamentals
Class one, Contemporary Communications and Class two, Developing Student Portfolios
for CIS, were assigned automatically by the advising staff at enrollment. Class three,
Introduction to Information Systems, and Class four, Algebra Fundamentals, are being
taken because they are foundational courses leading into more advanced courses in my
degree path.
Quarter Name: Winter Quarter 2009
Quarter Start Date: Class 1 and 2 - December 7, 2009, Class 3 and 4 – January 19, 2010
Class 1 and 2 – First 6 Weeks
MATH 1001: College Algebra
RELG 2001: World Religions
Class 3 and 4 – Second 6 Weeks
STAT 2001: Statistics
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CMIS 2001: Internet Computing
Class one, College Algebra, was chosen because it continues directly from the foundations
of Algebra Fundamentals. Class two, World Religions, was chosen because I wanted a
course I would have fun with while working on the harder math course. Class three,
Statistics was chosen because it is a foundation into Micro and Macro Economics. Internet
Computing was chosen for the same reason as World Religions; I wanted a fun course to
go with a difficult one.
Quarter Name: Spring Quarter 2010
Quarter Start Date: Class 1 and 2 - March 8, 2010, Class 3 and 4 – April 19, 2010
Class 1 and 2 – First 6 Weeks
CMIS 1002: Object Oriented Programming I
ECON 1001: Macroeconomics
Class 3 and 4 – Second 6 Weeks
CMIS 2002: Object Oriented Programming II
PHIL 2001: Ethics
Class one, Object Oriented Programming I was chosen because it looked like a fun
course. Class two, Macroeconomics was chosen because it is a needed course,
additionally, I want to get rid of as many of the math related courses as quick as possible
as it isn’t my strong point. Class three, Object Oriented Programming II was chosen
because it feeds from Class one. Class four, Ethics, was chosen because it looked
intriguing.
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Quarter Name: Summer Quarter 2010
Quarter Start Date: Class 1 and 2 - June 7, 2010, Class 3 and 4 – July 19, 2010
Class 1 and 2 – First 6 Weeks
CHEM 1001: Introduction to Chemistry
CMIS 3004: Object Oriented Design
Class 3 and 4 – Second 6 Weeks
BUSI 1001: Introduction to Business
CMIS 2001: Internet Computing
Class one, Introduction to Chemistry was chosen simply because it was a needed course
and I like chemistry. Class two, Object Oriented Design was chosen because it feeds from
Object Oriented Programming I & II. Class three, : Introduction to Business was chosen
for the same reason many others were chosen, it is a needed course and I see a potential
for helping me understand better decision making skills relating to business functionality.
Internet Computing was chosen to help better understand the relationship of computer
usage in the global environment.
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Part 2: Personal Skills Inventory Essay
This essay will reflect upon the various skills that are needed to be successful in personal,
professional and academic life. It will discuss what makes skills such as Communications,
Writing, Academic Integrity, Social Networking, Time Management, Library and
Technology so important.
Communications skills are a critical necessity to relay thoughts and ideas
especially as a student taking classes online, I must be able to clearly identify questions or
concerns I have and express those concerns in such a way that they do not demean, or
insult others. Recently, during my Contemporary Communications class I was exposed to
a situation involving a post by another student. Through poor use of communication skills
I caused the instructor to have to address my lack of professionalism and skills and it is
entirely possible, though she said nothing, that I hurt the other student’s feelings. After
discussion with my instructor I learned a better technique which I applied to another
situation which resulted in a very positive outcome.
While I have no courses in the near future that focus specifically on interpersonal
communication, I feel that Introduction to Business will be of benefit because of its focus
on directing and controlling of staff. This course will assist in learning skills to become a
more effective manager. I expect that part of those skills will address proper
communication with staff. Critical Thinking while not directly related focuses on logical
methodology which can be applied to communication through consideration of all facets
of a discussion before making a response. I’ve already had one instructor at Walden who
has, and is helping me to improve communications. Professor Roman Dzuba. Another
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person who will be of use in improving communications is my manager and friend Jerry.
The main services I see being most useful in improving my communication skills are the
Walden Writing Center and the Smartthinking Tutoring Service.
Writing skills are an important part of communication for the accurate transfer of
information. The ability to convey results of research, draft a situational report, or address
a staff member’s e-mail all require the ability to write in a clear and concise manner. I
have selected Critical Thinking as source to assist in the improvement of writing because
it will focus on methodological thinking which will directly tie into written essays that
will provide further practice in improving my APA and writing skills. Requirements
Analysis was chosen for the same reasons. The best two sources for assisting me in
improving my writing skills are the Smartthinking Tutorial Service which can assist me in
ensuring proper technique and content design, and the Walden Writing Center. The
English instructors at my work site are likely to be some of the best choices from my
personal network to assist in improving this skill.
Academic Integrity is required in all aspects of life although its true focus is on the
academic environment. Academic Integrity is ensuring that anything you research or write
is gives credit to those whose work you are using. Honesty and truth should be focal
points. Without this your peers and instructors have no way of knowing or trusting that the
work you have performed is actually your own. Information Security and Privacy and
Computer Forensics both support this thinking because they assist in learning how to
identify situations where fraud has occurred and also how to stop it from happening. The
best sources for assisting in ensuring proper academic integrity is my instructors and
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fellow students as they are the ones most likely to catch any mistakes I might make in
proper citing.
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Appendix A
Personal Skills Inventory Chart
Category
Communication (faceto-face and online)
2–3 Skills to
Improve
Why is this
skill
important?
What
upcoming
classes in
your degree
program will
best help you
improve this
skill?
Which 1–2
Walden
Services will
you use to
help with
this skill?
Who in
your
personal
network
can help
you with
this skill?
Listening
more
attentively.
If I want people
to listen and
respect what I
am saying I
need to show
my
understanding
and appreciation
for their
viewpoint.
Introduction to
Business,
Smarthinking
Tutorial
Service
Professor
Dzuba,
Professor
Khan,
Mom
Dorothy,
Dianne,
Jerry,
Kevin,
other
students in
my courses
Accurate and
Concise
reporting of
information and
research
Critical
Thinking
Being careful
to “say” what
is meant so
that the intent
and message
are received
and
understood as
intended.
Ethical
Leadership
Critical
Thinking
Walden
Writing
Center
Not allowing
my own
perceptions to
interfere or
distort what is
being
communicated
Using less
“fluff”
Writing and APA
Improving my
use of the
APA format
consistently
Requirements
Analysis
Organized
thinking
Writing
technique and
focus.
Academic Integrity
Ensuring
proper citation
Not allowing
others to cheat
from my
work.
Smarthinking
Tutorial
Service
Students in
my courses
Instructors
Walden
Writing
Center
Mom
Dorothy
Instructors
and Fellow
students
Others should
be given credit
for work they
have performed.
Cheating defeats
the purpose for
taking classes
Computer
Forensics
Information
Security and
Privacy
Smarthinking
Tutorial
Service
Walden
Writing
Center
Anyone
from any of
the groups
would be
able to
discuss or
identify
issues with
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Category
Time Management
Technology/Computer
my writing.
Why is this
skill
important?
What
upcoming
classes in
your degree
program will
best help you
improve this
skill?
Which 1–2
Walden
Services will
you use to
help with
this skill?
Who in
your
personal
network
can help
you with
this skill?
Allowing
enough time
to properly
complete tasks
So that I can
remain effective
in all aspects of
my life and
ensure I don’t
become
obsessed or
burned out.
Introduction to
Business
Personal tools
such as
Calendar and
Scheduler
Everyone
could, but
ultimately
it depends
on me.
To increase the
ease of locating
information that
is needed for
research.
Any that is
requiring
research
papers and
analysis.
Walden
Library
Work
contacts
and Mom
Dorothy.
(Former
School
Teacher)
To keep me on
the “bleeding
edge” of the
newest
techniques so
that I can better
protect against
attacks and
problems
Information
Security
Techniques I
& II
CIS specific
classes
To provide
more
“networking”
contacts and to
help me learn
better
techniques for
communications
Social
Responsibility
Walden
Library
Ethical
Leadership
Think Up
Research
sources
Familiarity
with new
hardware
Knowledge of
new protective
techniques
Social Networking
Instructors
and Fellow
students
2–3 Skills to
Improve
Allocating my
time
responsibly so
that I
Library
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Meeting more
people
Being more
outgoing
Computer
Forensics
Walden
Research
Center
Any CIS or
IT person.
Walden
Library
Think Up
Information
Privacy and
Security
World
Religions
Any person
or group
under my
Personal
Network
diagram
will be able
to provide
learning
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and
guidance.
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Appendix B
Personal Network Diagram
Work
Walden
Library Resources
Discussion
Groups
Greg D., Greg T., Tracy, Sheila,
Gwen L., Gwen W., Mary Beth,
Tammy, Tim, Janeva, Michelle
Instructors
Smarthinking
Tutorial
Service
Prof. Dzuba,
Prof Khan
Fellow Students
Jon, Janetra, Sherry
Advisors
Family
Me
Mom Susan, Mom Judy, Mom
Dorothy, Dianne, David,
Roger, Faith, Bruce, Nathan,
Dad, Debbie, Charla, Kody,
Kirkland
Volunteer Work
City of Jacksonville
Arkansas Arts Center
Dana, Dan, Heidi, Joy
Joe, Anne, Lou, Alex
Friends
Pulaski County CASA
Kristi
Greyhound Adoption
Group
Yvonne, Joe, Kaye,
Steven
Kevin, Jerry, Charles, Myra, Treva,
Sue, Macy, John W., Michael,
Bobby