CSUMB Weekly Journal

 CST 300 Eighth Week Journal OLI Post-Test     This week we took the same test on OLI that we took at the beginning of our course. There were interview questions such as, "Do you prefer to work in groups or alone?". The post-test also contained situational questions that asked how we should respond. I remember taking this test at the beginning of the course and feeling confident in my answers. Taking the OLI course in its entirety made this post-test feel easy. There were a few questions where I remembered that my old answer may had differed. Learning about conflict recognition, conflict styles (and when to use them), active listening, and assertion messages helped me answer these questions better than before. This course has given me practice with the skills that I picked up throughout the years. OLI has also given me the language and vocabulary to understand these skills better. Overall, I am incredibly grateful for this learning experience. Week 8 Learning Journal Post...

 CST 300 Seventh Week Journal OLI Module 10     This week we practiced our conflict communication skills. These skills include: conflict recognition, active listening, and assertion messaging. We practiced our skills in a simulated situation by watching a video and answering questions on the best way to move the situation forward. Then came the time to practice those skills with our team in real time. The role-play assignment came with team roles. I decided to be the observer that awards/removes points based on each member's performance with regards to active listening, conflict resolution/management, and assertion messages. I was able to listen to my team collaborate on a project. We utilized the skills we learned in OLI, and the role play went well with no conflict and the creation of a plan of action for how to move forward. Week 7 Learning Journal Part One:     My team met this week (2/17) at night to collaborate with each other on the Research Video Project...

 CST 300 Sixth Week Journal OLI Module 8 and 9 Module 8     In module 8 of OLI, we learned about active listening. In order to solve conflict both sides must be understood. To understand someone that you may disagree with it is important to intentionally employ aspects of active listening. This means that you are listening and able to summarize the other person's perspective. It is important to do this not only so the other person feels heard but also so that you can fully understand their position in order to find a solution. Here are the things you should and shouldn't do when active listening. Module 9     In module 9, we learned about assertion messages. Assertion messages are messages that are delivered during conflict in order to clear define the problem in an effective way.  Assertive messages contain three features: 1) Objective description  2) Emotional response  3) Explanation of the situation's impact An example of this would be "I feel...

CST 300 Fifth Week Journal OLI Module 6 and 7 OLI Module 6     I learned that it is important to recognize conflict as soon as it starts and before it starts to escalate. Some signs of conflict are body language, tone of voice, and disagreements. It is important to take people on the team seriously when they have a concern. People that bring up issues or notice conflict are not causing it. Instead, they are providing an opportunity to deal with the conflict appropriately before it escalates. OLI Module 7     I learned that each conflict style (avoiding, forcing, accommodating, and compromising) can be used strategically depending on the situation. Avoid when the relationship and goal are not important to you. Force when the stakes are high while making sure not to burn bridges that you might regret later. Accommodate when the goal is of little importance and you care about the relationship. Collaborate when both the goal and relationships are of high importance, bu...

 CST 300 Fourth Week Journal Lecture: Week 4 Part 1: Educational Goals     I plan to obtain my bachelor's degree in computer science from California State University of Monterey Bay (CSUMB). I plan to pass my classes with high grades (A's and B's). I will do this not only because it will make me look better as a candidate for employment, but because I want to gain as much knowledge as possible from these classes. I hope to gain extensive knowledge and experience in software engineering. I plan to successfully complete an internship as a software engineer during my time at CSUMB. I plan to complete a capstone project during my time at CSUMB in order to gain experience and knowledge in software engineering. I also plan to show this project to prospective employers in order to show them my competency. Part 2: Career Goals     I plan to obtain a job in the software engineering industry making at least 40k per year by the start of 2026 . Around this time, or may...

 CST 300 Third Week Journal OLI Module #3 Internal/External Processors      There are two types of people when it comes to processing information. One is an internal processor and the other is an external processor . The internal processor prefers thinking through thoughts first before voicing them. The external processor develops ideas by thinking out loud with others. Internal processors can be accommodated by using email for communication. Get It Right, Get It Done, Get Along, Get Appreciation     Four workstyles were introduced in this module of OLI. Get it right  can be described as slow and methodical. The get it right  workstyle can be helped by reminding them when their attention to detail is slowing the team down. Get it done  can be described as fast and decisive. The get it done workstyle can be helped by reminding them to slow down and consider the team's input. Get along can be described as social and flexible. Get alo...

 CST 300 Second Week Journal OLI Module #2     These assignments taught me about the reality and importance of collective intelligence. Often it is assumed that individual intelligence (IQ) is a major factor in a team's success. However, it seems that IQ has little to do with the success of a team. I learned that woman score higher on tests regarding social perceptiveness, an ability to pick up on subtle, nonverbal cues from other people. The three factors that create an effective team are high social sensitivity, equal participation, and having more women than men. The NY Times article titled "What Google Learned From Its Quest to Build the Perfect Team" was a great read that shared a story that exemplified the findings of the data. The data showed that social sensitivity in teams are what make them great. The videos from OLI with Jesse and Jenny describe the value of having a good team, what a good team looks like, and what it means to be a good team player. Module #2 L...