Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Unit 15: Final Thoughts


While I just took the final exam and wrote something similar, I am going to use this last blog assignment to post more of a final reflection.

I have really enjoyed this course. I imagine it is a difficult course to teach since people are coming from different technological proficiencies, using different computers and networks, and have varying levels of receptiveness to change and new ideas.

I am really glad that we worked a bit with using an API to help get data to put into a database. I am really interested in APIs and trying to build interesting things with freely available resources from digital collections. I think that the ability to access and “remix” information from digital collections is integral to the digital preservation movement. If people aren’t using digital collections, arguments can be made that they are a waste of resources, which could result in less funding or other backlash. If an archive is being explored and used to create cool applications and research, the value of digital collections and open online archives is more salient.

Like many of my classmates have mentioned on the forums, I too am planning on starting the CodeAcademy PHP course (http://www.codecademy.com/en/tracks/php). The experiences in this class with the workflow of programming, the thought and planning that underlies it, and the lines of code themselves have all been positive for me. I feel like I know enough to start exploring topics that interest me.

I wish that I were better with databases and MySQL. I understand the database planning process, and I don’t have any issues with using MySQL to make databases, but I have a hard time without a visual aid. I am hoping that one’s facility with databases improves the more one makes them.


This class has been extremely valuable to my future career prospects and to my personal development. I’m really glad that I decided to take it.

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