Coursework

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Website hosting and networking: Putting it altogether

Management of Network and Telecommunications
Semester:  Spring 2008
Professor: Kevin Harrington

Purpose: To make cable to run in networks, to understand how networks are built, and to understand the various components and technologies that are used in the process of forming a network.
Specific Skills: This class has built on my understanding of networking by teaching me how to build network cables, what each type is used for, and how to install a network in a business environment.
Application: I have used the skills that I have learned in this class to make my own networking cables at home and understand why we use the type of networking equipment we use at the College of Information.

Link:
OSI Model Comparison

Website Development and Administration
Semester:  Fall 2007
Professor: Melissa Raulston

Purpose: To build a web server that will host a client’s website and provide for the security of the website being hosted.
Specific Skills: Prior to taking this class, I had no experience using Windows Server. This class allowed me to gain the familiarity with Windows Server and to learn the concept of why a server is used.
Application: In addition to using a server in the information technology project, I have also built my own server at home, as well as gained a better understanding the servers at my internship.

Website Proposal for Seminole Club of SW Florida

Information Technology Project
Semester:  Spring 2008
Professor: Melissa Raulston

Purpose: To apply the knowledge learned in the classroom to the real world; to learn how to incorporate real world problems into your project plan.
Specific Skills: Specific skills that I have acquired from this class are presenting a project proposal to a business, dealing with customers directly in an information technology field, and to implement the technology, rather than conceptualizing it.
Application: Currently, I am in the process of applying these skills to a non-profit agency, where my group and I are redesigning the layout of their computers to include a server, form a proposal for the development of the server, and incorporate the users’ needs in our plan.

Link:
Catholic Charities Project Plan
Catholic Charities Blog

Information Retrieval and Access

Database Concepts
Semester:  Summer 2007
Professor: David Miner

Purpose: To learn how to structure a database, as well as add data to the database, and retrieve data that is consistent with the tables you are trying to create.
Specific Skills: I have learned to design a Visio diagram and define the items used in the database through the use of a data dictionary. In turn, these skills set the foundation for building a meaningful database.
Application: These skills have aided in the design of a Visio diagram and website layout that I have planned for an upcoming business. By understanding the terminology and layout of a database, I am able to help a business owner plan out their approach to reaching out to their customers.

Link:
Visio Diagram for MySQL Database

Advanced Health Informatics
Semester:  Spring 2008
Professor: Ebrahim Randeree

Purpose: To gain an understanding for the need to implement information technology in the health informatics field to improve the quality of care, ease of communication, and provide the patient with secure data.
Specific Skills: Using and implementing an EHR/EMR are an essential part of what I have learned in this class. I have also learned to develop a strategic plan, which outlines what I hope to accomplish in the completion of a project.
Application: These skills are crucial to the understanding and implementation of technology in the medical field. By learning these skills, I will be able to implement new technology and aide in the effectiveness of how data is stored and retrieved in medical practice facilities.

Link:
Strategic Plan for Medical Practice

Communicating with Users and Clients

Information Science
Semester:  Fall 2006
Professor: Chris Landbeck

Purpose: To gain an understanding of why and where users look for information; redesign a website based on a usability analysis.
Specific Skills: This was the first class in which I worked in a group. Here, I learned time management, group delegation, and how to analyze the though process of users.
Application: For my website, I have used the concept of usability, as well as information, knowledge, and wisdom to design my site and improve the functionality of it.

Link:
Site Map Layout Diagram

Technical Communication for Information Professionals
Semester:  Fall 2006
Professor: Dr. Robert Brooks

Purpose: To effectively communicate a technical message with technical and non-technical audiences alike.
Specific Skills: This class taught me a variety of skills that include fine tuning your message to include only what is necessary, adjusting your tone to the lowest skill level of the audience to engage everyone, and to assess the potential of a new application before it is released to a larger group of individuals.
Application: Based on what I have learned in this class, it has allowed me to write effective e-mails at my internship, communicate with all of the users in our office, and aided in the writing of proposals for new technology.
Link:
Project Plan Update

Wrapping it Up

Perspectives in Information Technology
Semester:  Spring 2007
Professor: Dr. Mia Lustria

Purpose: To put everything I learned together and present myself as a leader in information technology.
Specific Skills: This class taught me a variety of skills that include tailoring my skills to a specific audience, combining everything that I have learned into one cumulative project, and to present what I have learned to an audience via a how to video.
Application: Based on what I have learned in this class, I feel that I have a competitive advantage over the traditional paper resume. By creating this dynamic resume, I am able to showcase my skills, knowledge, and ability to produce professional projects.

Links:
How-to-Video Documentation
How-to-Video

Internship Opportunities

Currently, I am fulfilling an internship with a law firm in Tallahassee. At the law firm, I have been able to apply the skills and knowledge that I have learned in the classroom, to real world experiences and situations. In my internship, I am learning the roles and responsibilities of a systems administrator. My responsibilities include maintaining and initiating all backups of servers on site, troubleshooting users’ technical issues, performing routine maintenance, hardware and software installation, and network administration. This internship has allowed me to apply my knowledge, both from self taught skills, as well as from in the classroom, to an environment that requires the use of new software, remote administration, server administration, and communicating with technical and non technical users.

Self Taught Skills

Windows
                One of the first components that I thought myself was the ins and outs of Windows. At the age of 13, I acquired my own personal computer. Because it was not the best computer, I used it as a project computer. I would test new things with Windows and see what worked. This included changing multiple settings, working with DLL and INI files, troubleshooting Windows issues, and reinstalling the operating system multiple times.

Networking
                Because the need for a network had arisen in my home, I took on the challenge of designing and implementing it myself. While broadband was still a relatively new technology, I was unfamiliar with routers and cable modems. Through trial and error, I was able to gain a basic understand of how networks were put together and what each component was used for. These components included Cat 5 cables, wireless routers, cables modems, and NIC.
Link:
Network Diagram

Computer Design
                Because there was not a specific computer on the market that I wanted, I took on the challenge of building my own computer. I did so without consulting any literature or textbooks. After putting together the pieces, I was able to accumulate enough knowledge to build my own computer, as well as those of others.  By using trial and error, as well as keeping up with current trends in technology, I was able to give recommendations on what type of components one would need for their system and then build it for them.


HTML/CSS
                Through the use of online tutorials, I have learned to build basic HTML and CSS websites. Although building websites are not my primary focus, I do take interest in seeing that the final product is professional in nature. By teaching myself this skill, it has given me a greater understanding of the technology and how to use it to aide in promoting a concept, product, or business related task.
Links:
http://2006.ispace.ci.fsu.edu/wbb04d/html/index.html
http://www.waltbower.com