Week 3 Study Tip, Ethics, CS Major tips, Code of Integrity

 

Part 1: Study Tip Improvement

For this week we were tasked to visit the website https://www.academictips.org/acad/index.html and reflect on one of the study tips that needs improvement in the prior blog post. Within this website were numerous of study tips such as motivational tips, stress reduction, concentration, research paper tips, and many more. The study tip I chose from the week prior that needs to be improved on is the SQ3R effective studying method. SQ3R is a study method that helps students engage with the reading material effectively by having them retain and memorize as much important information while inevitably training the mind to learn. The method contains five different steps: Step 1 Survey, Step 2 Question, Step 3 Read, Step 4 Recite, and Step 5 Review. In order to successfully utilize the SQ3R method one must utilize the idea of surveying the reading materials first; in particular the person studying should read the headings and understand a pattern of how the author/writer is conveying their ideas. In a sense, it is asking the reader to scan/skim through the materials. After, one should question the material by asking what are the important topics discussed and how they will apply later. Next the reader should read the material by going through and taking in key words by underlining or highlighting them and taking notes of important points. The reader should be engaged in the reading and actively take notes to help keep hold of the material. The reader should then recite and review the materials. By reciting the reader needs to practice remembering the text without consulting the notes or original reading. Particularly a way I have done this is by using a blank sheet of paper and jotting down everything I just read; though I would do this 30-60minutes after reading in order to give myself a break. Lastly is the process of reviewing by going over the notes and the reading over a period of time; not cramming at the start of the study session or at the end of study session(day before an exam). Planning out the study session over a period of hours or days is better than just cramming it all in one session and will improve retention and memorization of the material. I personally chose this tip due to previous experiences in procrastination that led to a reduction in information retention. I found some success in cramming sessions but the information would not stay with me for a long period of time. I need to utilize this method in order to successfully retain the information and apply better studying habits. I do appreciate the information given from this website and I will apply other study tips that I found useful to this computer science program, especially tips for online learning. 

Part 2: Ethics

This week's module was quite interesting since we are already focusing a lot on the second major essay which is the Ethics Argument Essay. The content within this module from the lectures and writing lab concentrated on the specifics of Ethics. The writing lab gave an overview how we should be writing our arguments on ethical challenges within technological industries. It gave an understanding of ethical frameworks and how they are used on presiding sides of an argument. An example of an ethical framework that caught my attention is the virtue ethics framework. Essentially it is a theory that focuses on characteristics or the virtues of a person, and whether they are able to be judged as a person rather than their actions. I would like to use the example of Edward Snowden and how virtue ethics can be played within the argument of whether his actions in revealing classified information about government surveillance were a sign of his virtue as a person. In a sense Snowden demonstrated courage by risking his career and freedom; He is a virtuous person because of his personal sacrifices.

The video by Michael Sandel discusses the intricacies of AI and how they affect "what it means to be human". Within this video Sandel discusses how AI is affecting the movie industry with the tools of digital de-aging such as making Harrison Ford younger in the recent Indiana Jones movies. He begins the discussion by asking the audience if they find digital de-aging troubling or if they find it okay to be utilize in modern movie industries. My personal take on digital de-aging is that it is okay since it would enhance the storytelling by going back in time to a younger or older being. Though there should be some limits at how young or old one can be. After this he talks about how AI can be used to bring an actor back from the past/dead in what he dubs virtual comeback performances. He again asks the audience whether this is troubling or okay. Many of audiences found this subject as troubling due to reasons such as the actor's consent, authenticity and human presence. Personally I found this troubling because of the authenticity of the virtual comeback performance, even if the actor gave the consent to use their likeness in the future after their passing, it wouldn't feel authentic; the acting would feel uncomfortable and unnatural. In a way its like taking control of someone else's body and being under their skin. Lastly he gave a quick talk about how AI affects dating apps and the argument was on if the AI can pick life partners better than your mother. I found this one interesting because many of the arguments were that AI can pinpoint specifications for the top three life partners but in a sense it wouldn't know the emotional understanding of a human. What I am saying is that there is no human judgment on a person when using AI, and that the AI would overlook the natural imperfections and vulnerability that love is. It would pinpoint potential partners but it cannot judge them in a personal face to face connection. 

The other video is a Ted Talk from Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman, where he discusses the reality of AI and how it is affecting the world at a rapid pace. Suleyman goes on to discuss how AI will be involved in everyday life and organizations. He goes on to talk about how as humans we should be prioritizing the safety of AI and looking at it as a "new kind of digital species" that are limitless and abundant and that we should think of AI as a way to amplify humankind. I personally thought that this talk was interesting because it shows that a person who has created AI is aware of the potential and risks it can bring to the future. He brings up the ethics and values that AI can bring to humans and how we can harness this rapid growing tool to better the lives around us. I enjoyed his talk as he highlights the potential, risks, and downsides of AI. And how this thinking has led him to understand AI even more.

Part 3: CS Major Reflection

The reading "What CS Majors Should Know" by Matt Might was a fascinating read because it gave so much information and guidelines on the essential skills and knowledge students need to utilize to become successful in their studies as a computer science major. Might emphasizes the importance of programming languages but most earnestly the major concepts and the fundamentals of computer science. Many of these foundations I am familiar with but there are considerable amounts that I definitely need to work on. Some of the foundations that he specifically talks about are importance of a portfolios compared to a resume, where students should be focusing more on their skills and participation in course projects or outside projects to enhance their portfolios. He goes on to talk about the essentials of communication, the relationship of computer science and engineering, utilization of the Unix systems, programming languages, mathematics, emphasis on data structures and algorithms, theories, architecture, design and testing, networking by understanding network stacks and routing protocols, security and cryptography, AI and machine learning, and Databases. 

There were a lot more that he talked about but I would like to go on an emphasis of the importance of data structures and algorithms, design, networking, user experience design, and generally software engineering. The reason I want to note the aforementioned are because some of the particular fundamentals will be taught in my future courses at CSUMB. The CST 300 course is already teaching us how to create portfolios and build proper communication skills. CST 370 Design and Analysis of Algorithms will give me a better understanding about the intricacies of data structures and algorithms along with the techniques to design solutions; in addition it will help with understanding the different efficiencies of algorithms such as searching, divide-and-conquer, greedy programming and many more. Data structures and algorithms are also essential knowledge to know for technical interviews as many companies have applied leetcode problems to their interviews. In CSUMB we will learn a a lot about the essentials of design through CST 338: Software Design, networking through CST 311 and CST 336, and general software engineering through CST 438. I think a lot of the fundamentals that Matt Might went through in the document will be taught at CSUMB and through the completion of the program it will highlight the successes that I will accomplish as a computer science major. I will surely come back to this document in the future to pinpoint the skills that I have mastered or need to improve as a computer scientist. At the moment I need to engage in preliminary research on these topics and prepare myself for the future.   

Part 4: Code of Integrity 

Lastly, we were tasked to discuss the importance of academic integrity by reading the code of integrity document. I personally think that academic integrity is important as it is a sole commitment in honesty as a student and it demonstrates the responsibility one must uphold to a high standard. The code of integrity highlights the essential idea of submission of independent work/projects, the dangers of plagiarism, and the importance of citing assisted work. Academic Integrity is important to me because it allows me to properly learn by developing my own thoughts and ideas rather than stealing or utilizing another individual's efforts. I also believe that the code is important to other students in the program because it builds trust and respect. Building this trust will enhance a functional and successful working environment. It highlights assurance that I will not steal anybody's work and they won't steal mine. Honoring the code of integrity will bring about acquiring successful knowledge, trust and honesty in others, and equitable standards in academics.