A13ArielAguilar

A13ArielAguilar

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?

Discourse, Culture, and Identity

Biological Psychology, Social Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, General Psychology

Special Topics: The Chronicles of Narnia

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

The communication class seemed interesting and I had never taken a class offered from the communications department before. A course that ventured into various cultures was of interest to me at the time of enrollment.

Starting with general psychology, I've added psychology as a second degree on top of computer science. Behavior and cognition are of huge interest to me and I'm intrigued by psychological findings and discoveries. The role of genetics and environment are also interesting in my opinion.

The Chronicles of Narnia course was taught by a great professor and the class exceeded my expectations with challenges and findings.

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

The communications course was a waste of time. It didn't fulfill my hopes of cultural exposure and wasn't particularly challenging.

The psychology courses have all been unique and have kept me engaged throughout. They definitely have enriched my education and encouraged a number of curiosities.

The  Narnia class was a nice break from the typical rigor of many of my previous engineering classes and focused more on specific topics one should stop and think about on a regular basis.

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

Depending on the class, yes. I find outside classes are what give each student a unique edge that they can bring back to the classroom and share with other students. Having a number of students with the same concrete education and same requirements wouldn't lead to as interesting discussions nor encourage students to differentiate themselves from their peers.

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

Dedication. A well educated graduate student must be dedicated to their work and be thrilled by new findings. They must be flexible in their beliefs and willing to work with others. When it comes down to it, they must want to be where they are from every angle.

did CU offer classes for you to meet these objectives?

To be successful in many classes, yes, CU offers such classes. Some classes take a lot of work and dedication to such work to really draw anything from the course.

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

As an active member of the co-ed service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, I constantly seek volunteer work that is more than just "work". Finding a setting where you can learn about society while lending a helping hand is very rewarding and takes a lot of dedication, in my opinion.

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

Human -centered computing is fascinating to me due to its large variety of applications. Every new innovation focuses on a particular audience. This audience is either controlled or variable depending on the release of the product to a test group or the public. Any such finding relating to human-centered computing ranges from developing communities to the youth to clinical technologies and more. Along with volunteer opportunities I've taken advantage  of and jobs I've held, throughout my education I'm discovering the importance of human-centered design and innovation.Thus, the most important impact of new media and human-centered computing on my education has been where such technologies can be applied, what kind of feedback they receive, how this feedback is handled, the release of new products and the vicious cycle that continues from such.