A13AnneGatchell

A13AnneGatchell

To-Do

Please Answer the following Questions: provide a brief rationale for your answer — not just yes/no answers

1. which classes did you take outside of your chosen discipline?
   1. how did you select these classes?
      1. based on interest
      2. based on requirements for your degree program
   2. did would you evaluate the “outside classes”?
      1. a waste of time
      2. okay
      3. an enrichment of your education
      4. if you had a choice: would you take more outside classes?
2. to be a well educated graduate in your respective discipline — what do you consider the most important objectives?
   1. did CU offer classes for you to meet these objectives?
   2. have you pursued these objectives outside of classes (in other settings at CU; outside of CU)?
3. what do you consider the most important impact of new media and human-centered computing on YOUR education?

which classes did you take outside of your chosen discipline?

During my Chemical Engineering BS program I took an Introduction to Social Psychology course, a Macro economics course Intro to Business, Business Ethics, Business Law, Visual Reality, Expository Writing, Education & Society, State and Society Relations in Modern India, Life Drawing,C Programming.

After completing this degree, I have moved into computer science and have taken many background courses in computer science. I have also taken Introduction to Engineering Management and Maya 3D Animation.

how did you select these classes? (e.g. based on interest or based on requirements for your degree program)

I took all of the business courses out of interest. I didn't get credit for them for my Chemical engineering degree. The humanities courses were a requirement, but I generally picked ones I was interested in. I have always enjoyed learning about the human brain and how we learn, so that informed some of those choices. I took macroeconomics because I believe that it is important to understand at least basic economics. I took the art courses because I am an artist, and with a busy curriculum like Chemical Engineering, it is easy to push art aside things unless it also has a due date. I took C programming out of interest, because I had made a large program in my ChemE lab using a visual language, and I wanted to learn more.

how would you rate the “outside classes”? (e.g. a waste of time or an enrichment of your education)

I think the outside classes helped round out my education. The problem, I found, is that Chemical Engineering is such a challenging program and there is never enough time to work on it, engineers often feel that the outside courses are useless and bothersome. I was never very excited about analyzing literature for hidden meaning, but I think I am a better person having taken my AP English courses and reading all of those books. I also believe reading is such a powerful positive force, that English is valuable. I think the sociology-type courses were valuable because they helped me understand people more, and the India course was great because it is good to break away from the technology and learn about other countries. I think the business courses are invaluable. I think everyone should have an understanding of how business works. I think it would make everyone's lives much easier. The art is invaluable to me, too. I derive so much joy from art.

if you had a choice: would you take more outside classes?

I would take more outside classes if I could, but there was not enough time in ChemE. Also, I will admit that if I could take any courses without restriction, they would be considerably biased towards art, art history, anatomy, and probably some psychology of some sort. I like that I ahve taken literature, and I value history, but I just don't get as excited about those types of courses. I would take a variety of computer science and digital media courses as well. And, of course, I would take business and finance.

to be a well educated graduate in your respective discipline — what do you consider the most important objectives?

Learning the computer languages they use in the real world. Learning to use the tools they use in the real world (ie. Eclipse for programming in Java and contributing to a collaborative programming repository.) We should be learning all the things that are listed on a basic, entry-level job description.

We should also learn to program with others, since that is realistic in a work environment. We should learn about business and how to learn to communicate with the other areas of business (ie. finance). I my work experience, I think the researchers needed to know more about finance, and the engineers need to be more humble and realize they do not know everything. You can invent stuff all day long, but if you can't get it out the door and sell it, it is not useful to anyone. Therefore, engineers should be taught about management and finance, since it is unlikely that we will be all be humble enough to listen to the business experts. :)

We should know how look at a problem and feel confident in our ability to solve it or to find a way to solve it. A big problem I faced in starting my work as a Chemical Engineer was a paralyzing fear about how little I actually knew. I had no real-world experience, and I didn't know how to run all these machines. I was working with people with PhDs and 20 years of experience. I would have liked to be better prepared to handle that challenge.

It is also useful to learn about human psychology, since so much of what we do uses this knowledge. We should be reading things like Dan Ariely books. We should learn to speak in public and write well. We should learn about our individual psychology, so that we understand how we interact with others. I also like the idea of the ATLAS program. I think it is useful to foster both creativity and technical knowledge.

did CU offer classes for you to meet these objectives?

I think Computer Systems is doing a nice job. There is a good balance of structure and 'sink or swim'-ness to it. I hear that we learn more languages in Principles of Programming languages. As of now, I am unqualified for many entry level jobs, as I do not possess most of the skills they list. Obviously, we cannot prepare for every possible skill listed, which is why it is good that we are learning enough about programming to learn new things quickly and adapt to new situations.

There is a good amount of group work in the department's classes, and I have learned about Java and Eclipse from group members on the fly for a project. Human Centered computing addresses some of the ideas that are crucial to making a successful and helpful product. I think CU is on to something with its emphasis in transdisciplinary work. I have always been an artist who also enjoys math and science. My dream has always been to be able to combine these passions in a productive way. Computer science seems to be the best technical disciplines to be in where I can also be artistic. I hope CU can help me break out of the compartmentalized nature of my interests and create a body of knowledge that is both exciting and practical.

have you pursued these objectives outside of classes (in other settings at CU; outside of CU)?

I have done most of my learning about the human brain and the way we think from books outside of school. (ie. Dan Ariely, brain books). I do a lot of self-development; ie. speaking, writing, improving inter-personal relations, understanding myself. The programming language problem, however, is one I hope to solve in school.

I plan to do internships, which are invaluable, and work with professors on some research. I read about politics, businesses, and science, trying to understand as much about the world as I can.

I am now working on developing more computer-based art skill, rather than just traditional media.

hat do you consider the most important impact of new media and human-centered computing on YOUR education?

I can basically learn all that I want. When I am interested in a topic, I Google it. I find groups who are also interested in it. I find books online and look at reviews by others. I go buy the books and read them. I join forums.

If I have a question about how to do something while programming, I can just Google it and find out how to do it. I cannot imagine life without Wikipedia, Google, Facebook, and Google Chat. When I want an opinion on a topic, I can just post it on Facebook and immediately get a variety of answers. I can ask a friend on Google Chat about some science concept that I don't remember (I did this a lot as a Chemist/engineer)

Human Centered Computing addresses very exciting issues, because they are issues about all of our daily lives. Computing is such a helpful and increasingly ubiquitous part of our lives, that it is essential to examine its effects so that we can improve it. We also need to examine it to make it secure, so that we can continue to share with each other online in a safe way.

Making tools to help people be more creative is, I think, noble.