Week 3 Learning Journal

 Part 1: In my learning journal last week I talked about some of my weaker skills that I could touch up on. One of them was staying organized with my notes when I am researching, or taking notes in general. On AcademicTips.org, I chose the Note Taking Techniques to reflect on. I think the split page Method would be beneficial for me to use when taking notes. Keeping lecture notes on one side of the paper and then connecting it with notes from readings on the other side would help stay organized. It makes it easier to connect the dots by having them side-by-side so you don't have to go fishing through your notes to find them later when you need them.

Part 2: This week, Professor Tao went over the importance of using Google calendar as a tool. I agree with him, I find it very useful with having such a busy schedule. It is not easy remembering every task you need to get done and by when. We also went over the important topic of ethics. The focus on ethics taught me how essential integrity is in computer science. The CS Online Program Code of Integrity and the Code of Ethics of Association for Computing Machinery made it clear that honesty, respect, and accountability are core to this field. The TED Talk on AI also shared important concerns about how fast technology is advancing compared to our ability to manage it responsibly. Overall, these materials reminded me that as a future computer scientist, I have a responsibility not just to build things that work, but to build things that are fair and safe.

Part 3: This week’s reading, "What a Computer Science Major Needs to Know", helped me understand how broad the CS field really is. It’s not just about coding but it also includes math, hardware, theory, and communication skills. It showed me the importance of becoming a well-rounded learner, not just someone who knows how to write programs. The ethics materials this week also stood out. The Code of Ethics of Association for Computing Machinery and CSUMB’s Code of Integrity emphasized responsibility and honesty in all academic and professional work. These readings showed how quickly tech is growing, and how important it is to think about how our work affects people.

Part 4: After reading the CSUMB Code of Integrity, I understand more clearly why academic honesty is essential, not just for grades, but for building real skills. Doing my own work ensures I actually learn the concepts, which matters for my future in computer science. It also keeps things fair for everyone else in the program. If someone else cheats, they may pass the course, but they’re missing the point of what it means to be a student with integrity. Following this code helps build trust in the program and in each other as future professionals.

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