Week 4 Lab 1

Thinking Outside the Traditional Mindset review

·         Does multi-tasking give you a real or false sense of having accomplished something?

I personally feel that multi-tasking has given me a real sense of having accomplished something to a certain extent. When I was reading the articles, I was frequently checking on my facebook profile and texting at the same time. This has resulted in me reading the same sentence over and over again, which consumed a lot of time, as I was unable to find the sentence where I have stopped reading. Although this may seem to have been a waste of time, but I now have a clearer understanding of the articles after reading many times over and over again. Hence, I feel that multi-tasking has its pros and cons, for example, a longer amount of time may be spent on the same task, but it has allowed me to work for longer period of time not feeling bored and tired at all due to the constant change of activities.

·         Is learning 3D and design different from learning programming, or is all learning the same?Why?

In my opinion, learning 3D and design is similar to learning programming to a large extent. For both subjects, both requires a large amount of practice in order to improve. In 3D and design, in order to excel you will just have to draw, sketch or model more. In programming, in order to excel, you just have to code, read the codes written by others and understand try to understand what the codes mean. Learning something all amounts to the amount of practice done, the more learning the faster you learn.

Although learning 3D and design is more art-based, while programming is more technical, both subjects require techniques and methods where you will have to learn in order to accomplish any of the tasks assigned in either of the fields. Therefore, I have come to a conclusion that all learning is the same after analyzing the similarities and differences in learning 3D and design and learning programming.

·         The article states that “Learning is actually a very complex operation for an individual”. Do you agree with this? Do you feel that you approach your learning in the best way – if yes, how, and if no, how can you change your work style?

      I agree with the statement to a certain extent. This is because each and every individual feels that they will learn better in a different manner. Some feel that all other distractions and noise must be kept away from them while learning, while others feel that they can learn better or absorb information faster by listening to certain genres of music at the same time. Although this may seem a false sense of accomplishment as discussed earlier I feel that having confidence that you have learnt something whether false or real plays a major part in learning too. After having the sense of accomplishment that you have completed chapter one, then can you move on to chapter two and continue learning more. Hence, I feel that confidence plays an important part in learning too, regardless whether it is real or false. 

       I feel that I approach my learning in the best way, as I feel very comfortable both learning in school and studying at home, most importantly, no stress is felt. I learn by practice and consulting others. I practice in the lab and at home, for example: I model things that I like during my own free time. When I encounter difficulties in my modeling I will either search for the solutions online or consult my lab tutor during the lab sessions. Hence, I feel that I am approaching my learning in the best possible way, as I feel very comfortable will learning and no stress is felt.

·         What are your thoughts about the last paragraph in the extract?

The last paragraph is very true to a large extent. Even if you can create awesome art pieces in the computer, but you can convey the message behind the pieces of art through traditional communication skills, the message behind the art pieces that you mean to portray may be locked up behind the computer screen for good. Therefore, it is very important to not forsake the traditional communication skills even though how marvelous your art techniques with the computer may be. Without your traditional skills it is very difficult for your talents to be realized, as only you can convey the art that you have drawn the way that you want them to be conveyed.

·         Should your lecturers also focus on your work attitude, or just leave you to sink or swim on your own? Why?

I feel that it is the student's responsibility for his own grades, and the lecturers job is to impart their knowledge to the students regardless of their work attitude. If the students have a negative work attitude, it is the students that will suffer in the end and the lecturers of the students are not accountable for that. Therefore, in my opinion, the lecturers should focus on how to impart their knowledge and skills that they know to the students in the most interactive manner and not to focus on the student's work attitude. It is all up to the student's whether they want to spend their time wisely during their time spent with the lecturers and try their best to extract / absorb this useful knowledge that the lecturers have to offer. In the end of the day, it is the students that suffer or benefit due to their work attitude and not the lecturers.