...Final...

I seemed to miss Chapter 10 for some reason. And now that the semester has come to close I would like to end this properly, by covering Ch. 10 as well as giving a final summary of the class and Dr. Tuggle.

Almost all of Chapter 10 was a bit of a blur for me. Paired with Chapter 9, and earning me the lowest test grade in the class, just proved how much knowledge I had actually absorbed from it. One thing I feel like I understood was the system conversion section. Of course like most concepts I understood in this course, I can thank the CLPOA for the knowledge it instilled in me. We had a system which our computer tech created himself, and even though it certainly wasn't perfect, it was almost always functional. One of the main problems, however, was that even though they were not flat files, some of the screens or functions behaved as such. One of the even bigger obstacles was that we had to give handwritten receipts out, instead of being able to enter a payment into the system, and then have a receipt print out. That was one of the new applications that we hired a second computer tech on to work towards, building a new system in which things would run more smoothly, and bring us into the 21st century.

The system conversion that was being implemented seemed to be a cross b/w parallel and pilot, with the pilot locations being the different departments using a mix of the new and old systems, such as the ACC (architectural control committee) and Accounting, while our Member Services Dept. had no access to any of the new system components. Interestingly enough, a year plus after I have worked there, I still do not know if they ever got the new system up and running.

This class was particularly difficult for me in the sense that I learn by doing thing hands on. As me to create a data table after demoing one in class, no problem, as me to set up an Excel spreadsheet w/ cell referencing + addressing, you got it. Test me on concepts...not so much. Even though Dr. Tuggle did a great job at his demonstrations, lecturing over powerpoints, and including news reports and daily little activities, I still feel that this material is difficult for even the most techie minded to grasp. All in all I put everything I could into this class, and I feel that Dr. Tuggle needs to be commended for being so supportive and understanding. For those of you actually reading these blogs for some strange reason unbenownst to me, thank you. But I will no longer be posting new ones, as today was the last day of class, and almost the end of the semester.

...Excel...

Ok well I know that i am just a little bit behind on my blogging. Blame it on end-of-the-semester-itis in order to take tests, complete papers, pull out large chunks of hair...I feel rather confident about my scholastic aptitude this semester thus far, and with only a week to go, I hope I can continue in my success. One of the easiest subjects that we covered in Intro to IS this semester was the Excel in class lectures as well as the homework assignments. Now I honestly hate hearing those smarty-pants-know-it-alls that leave classes saying how easy everything was, but being an Acct. major, these Excel projects were pretty much a breeze.

Let's just pretend that I knew nothing about Excel going into Dr. Tuggle's class. He not only covered the important basics without making things too painful, but also covered a few of the important components that would be useful to almost all business students. I think it's so sad that Dr. Tuggle has to put up with so many "slow down"s, and "I don't understand"s, when it is clear that some people just don't pay attention. Instead of sitting in my own class for the Excel demos, I decided to take the later class. As I watched some people around me in the class I realized why it was so difficult for some of them...they were on the freaking internet the whole time!!! You have got to be kidding me. Dr. Tuggle takes the time to teach such an important program at such a slow pace and you can't manage to keep up because you are chatting to your friends on Facebook?? Wow...Dr. Tuggle I hope your salary includes a babysitting fee.

I took an Excel class 3 years ago at a jr. college, and because it was an online class you pretty much had to teach yourself right out of the book. The teacher was most non-helpful and never available to answer questions, had the wrong answers on tests, and completely shut you out if you challenged her authority. Myself as well as a few other classmates had to go as far as contacting the dean because she was simply MIA and would not respond to emails. Teachers like THAT deserve students who do not pay attention and later ask infuriating questions. Dr. Tuggle deserves students willing to listen and learn, and even if they are not the best and brightest on a computer because he is always available to help!