IT150 @ Carlow

Kristal- The hardest part of the project for me was trying to find the time to meet with my group members because we all have very tough schedules. Although we are all very busy, we worked around our schedules and were very successful with this project idea. The best thing that I have learned from this would just be the different kinds of information systems that can be used in a variety of ways. I never really thought about all of the options there are for making companies better, but now that we have done this project I have noticed a lot of things that could be made better in stores by adding a new information system. This project really helped with learning about course topics because you had to know what all of the information systems were before you could successfully work on the project. By needing to know what all of these were required you to read the book and be attentive in class.

Chrissy- The hardest part of the project for me was making time to actually work on the project. We are all very busy and it was very difficult to find a time when all of us can meet. Another very difficult part of the project was figuring out such things as costs, benefits, and risks. The most valuable thing that I have learned from this project was that just because an idea seems good to one person, does not mean that the idea should be implemented or that the idea will be beneficial. This project helped learn about course topics because a lot of the new topics we learned about may be useful to implement the system. For example, a database may be used to implement information regarding customer’s wants and needs based from information that the customer entered into the system through the kiosk.  Overall, the project was very beneficial in many ways and was a very rewarding experience.

Steve- The hardest part of this project was not the actual research involved or the writing of the papers, but it was trying to find the time to meet as a group to work on the project.  We were not too keen on the virtual group meetings or mass e-mails or discussion boards or anything like that.  We all agreed on meeting face to face.  I think the best thing I learned was you do not have to be a professional or even an expert on the topic of information systems to come up with a usable idea.  We were able to come up with an idea that can be proposed to the actual company of PUMA and we are still in the beginning stages of learning about IT.  I believe this was one of the most valuable things learned.  This project also helped me learn about course topics through all of the research that went in to it.  Even the things like EXCEL and ACCESS were helpful in simply putting together tables for the costs and benefits.  We also even attempted all of the online meeting tools that we discussed in class.  It was a valuable project and one that helped me understand that you do not have to be an expert in IT to change my own life or a companies.

To be completely honest, I – like most of you – only took Information Technology I at Carlow University in the Spring semester of 2009 because it was part of my major’s requirements.  I didn’t even know what Information Technology was when I registered, but I figured my first semester classes were pretty easy and I’d be able to fly through this course too.

I was wrong.

When I walked into the classroom the first day, it was almost full.  By the next class half of those students had disappeared.  Rachel had spent most of our first meeting warning us about how much work we were going to get and it scared some of the students away. I, on the other hand, didn’t believe her.  I’d heard that so many times before and it always turned out to be an over exaggeration.  Again, I was wrong.

IT150 is a lot of work, but for what you get out of it, it’s completely worth it.  In the beginning we got packets of homework assignments almost every class and I spent hours each night just trying to get it done in time for the next class.  Then on top of that, the Google project was added and we had to do even more work every day.  It was hard and stressful and I didn’t always agree with the workload, but in the end, it was useful.  I don’t think there is one thing in any of those assignment that I won’t use again in the future or that won’t give me an advantage and put me ahead of other people in the workforce.

I liked the hands on work we did with Microsoft Access and Excel and the in class exercises.  I also liked learning about the different Information Systems businesses use in the background to help themselves improve and the other little things we learned like how the internet works, Google’s various useful applications, and how to read database language.  The Google AdWords project was a lot of work and could be really confusing sometimes, but it was fun to work with a real business and real money and it really gives you a lot of experience and a great advantage.

If I had to give advice to any future students all I would say is don’t give up and don’t slack off.  It’s a lot of work and it’s going to stress you out and overwhelm you, but I think that what you get back from it is the dealbreaker.  Not only will you learn inside the classroom, but also outside of the classroom because it’ll teach you how to teach yourself, how to learn from your mistakes, and it will really get you ready for the workload that you’ll face throughout the rest of your college experience.

The best thing that you’ll get from this course is a competitive advantage.  Of course you only touch on things like Access and Excel, DreamWeaver, information systems, HTML/database language, and various other useful things, but you can build on those skills and use them to your advantage in your career because there aren’t a lot of other people out there who are going to know what those things are let alone how to use them.  I bet you’ll meet plenty of employers who have no idea what Google AdWords or Google Apps are and might not even know what information systems are and because you do, you’re going to stand out and they’re going to want you.  IT150 is tough, but like I’ve said before, what you learn from it will continue to help you throughout your career.

So I walked into IT150 on January 13, 2009 with an open mind, and no expectations. After listening to the instructor’s overview of the class I was in shock. I had no idea how I was going to have the time to complete the assignments, especially to the best of my ability. In the beginning of the course we mainly focused on forming our groups for the Google On-line Marketing Challenge. This was a stressful time because this group assignment runs the entire length of the semester. After that part was over, the work started. We had to pick a client to work with, and begin thinking about a campaign that would advertise for this company. The hardest part of starting this challenge was balancing the group work with our individual assignments. I will admit that during the first 3 or 4 weeks of the class I was majorly stressed. The work never seemed to stop and the intensity only seemed to grow. After forming the campaign and keeping up with the assignments, it was time to present our campaign to the class and a few guest judges. I was very nervous, because I was new to on-line advertising and I felt as though I would be judged as a professional consultant. The presentation went alright. The judges gave reasonable help and a few gave us some really good ideas. As the campaign got started the assignments seemed to spread out, and get a little easier at the same time. At about the time of spring break, things seemed to be going alright. Now that we are only a few weeks away from the end, I am proud of the work that I have accomplished in this course, and it is something that I will never forget.

Although the class is a lot of work, it is easy to succeed in because the instructor helps you with anything that you need help with. She is available pretty much anytime of the day through e-mail, or Google chat. She is usually just a short click away.

One thing that you must understand when taking this course is that you are going to come out knowing a good bit about technology and how it all works, but you are going to come out knowing a whole lot more about yourself. This course forces you to push yourself to your maximum potential, which is something that we all need at some point in our lives. IT150 truly showed me what I am capable of, and just how much I can accomplish when I set my mind to it. Never in my life did I expect to do an on-line marketing campaign for a client that actually may affect the success of their business.

Do you like Google?

If you do, 2009 Google Online Marketing Challenge is great way to be part of the Google party and to earn the most fashion-forward accessory for your resume!

Please let me know if you’re interested! Read the rest of this entry »

[photo source: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/161/424832028_367571ebfe.jpg?v=0]

Your church struggles with keeping up with member addresses, names, and contact informaton. People want e-mail reminders about church services but no one knows how to do that. A local farm offers “save a turkey” programs around Thanksgiving but the owners don’t know how to get the words out to people who may be interested. Your local food bank has a hard time predicting the quantity of food they need for each week, as they always have either shortages of basic food items or excessive food supplies that must go to waste. 

If these issues sound familiar, it’s because they are everywhere. With more sofisticated technical skills learned in IT150, you will help dramatically improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the services that you care much about.

Carlow students Ian and Tia wanted to start their own business selling cone pizza, the latest food sensation in Japan, Korea, Italy, and now, New York City. They created a business plan, secured angel funds, and found a store front. They even printed flyers and coupons. They were confident that they were ready to launch their business.

Except for one thing. They knew they needed a computer. They had bought a Dell computer, an HP multi-function printer, and signed up for Fiber Optics services. Now what? What should they do with the computer? Who should they call for help? Dell would fix their computer if it’s broken. But would they tell Ian and Tia how the computer could help them with budgeting, marketing, and, yes, making better pizza?

In IT150, you will find out how computers, the Internet, and other information technology help aspiring entrepreneurs succeed!

[photo source: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/63/178384326_536e7aa755.jpg?v=0]

You are NOT an IT major. You don’t want to be a geek. And you HATE math!

Why bother taking IT150? Here are the top ten reasons to take IT 150:

10. Fulfill Technology requirement - IT150 is a T course for ALL majors!

9. Enhance your resume – Technical knowledge makes your resume shine!

8.  Expand your portfolio – Your own website, database, and business prososal – you will turn heads at job interviews!

7. Play more – Being able to use technology more cleverly, you will finish your homework twice as fast!

6. Be contagious – Your friends will want to know HOW you did that!

5. Laugh – In the face of excel formulas!

4. Make a difference – Smart use of technology can make huge differences in people’s lives

3. Be innovative – With some many creative ways to use technology, your mind will fill with ideas!

2. Save lives – By improving information flow in certain fields – healthcare, emergency response, engineering, non-profit agencies – you could help save lives

1. Make the world a better place – Better use of technology will save trees, cut down your carbon footprint, and shrink gas bills!