CST 300: Week 3

Time Management

In my last reflection I mentioned that I have an issue with time management. This week I read an article on how to solve the problem. Here are some tips to help you (and me) succeed.

The first step in managing your time effectively is to learn how you currently spend your time. A personal time survey should be taken that includes all activities performed over a week, including sleeping, hygiene, and travel. The survey will help you identify time wasters in your schedule. Next, you must determine how much study time you need. A good rule of thumb is to study between two and four times longer than you spend in class. For example, an easy 3 unit course will require about 6 hours of study outside class, while a challenging 4 unit course may require up to 16 hours of outside study. 

Once you have calculated how much time you need to study, you should create a daily schedule that blocks off all activities (including breaks). Ensure that the schedule is realistic so that you do not become overburdened. If necessary, lighten your load or reduce time spent in other areas, including working fewer hours if financially possible. Other tips include saying no to friends, prioritizing activities correctly, and combining as many activities as possible. Saying no to friends is challenging for me but I have finally begun doing it. School must take priority over playing video games and hanging out.

Ethics and Technology

I did not realize how many ethical questions relate to technology. Does computing marginalize people like the elderly, disabled, and poor? It's well known that elders are more likely to be technologically illiterate, but I had not considered that they may be marginalized in a technology-based society. How will technology affect the job market? Will low-skilled workers be replaced? I had not considered that technology and AI could increase the unemployment rate. We must choose carefully and wisely before allowing technology to take over parts of our lives. 

The TED talk about the ethics of artificial intelligence was interesting to me. I was not aware that technology is being used to scan facial features and reactions for truth-telling. I already take issue with machines like the polygraph being used to falsely accuse people of lying, so I am not a fan of technology being used for for this purpose in general. I also was not aware that machine learning is being used in the hiring process or, troublingly, in the sentencing process for criminals. It's not right that algorithms are hurting people by making assumptions about them. That reminds me of the movie Minority Report in which technology is used to arrest people before they commit their crimes. As Ms. Tufekci noted at the end of the talk, "we cannot outsource our moral responsibilities to machines."

What Every Computer Science Student Should Know

Professor Matt Might lays out a comprehensive list of what every computer science student should know before entering the job market. He appears to have a traditional view of the computer science curriculum, placing heavy emphasis on physics and math. I believe that modern curriculums do not need to emphasize them as much and should leave them for students who plan on specializing in those areas. It is possible to work in this field without being a physicist or mathematician, although your opportunities will be fewer.

I do agree with Professor Might's opinion that students should be familiar with Unix-like systems. I think the Windows operating system is restricting for computer science students, and I felt like my knowledge of computers expanded when I started using and programming on Linux. I like that he encourages students to learn how to administer and troubleshoot their computer systems and networks. You can't write or push code if your system is down. Professor Might's vision of a well-rounded computer scientist is something that all students should take into account.