The CS Journey of Quoc Khanh Ho

     This week I worked with my team eight which includes Sharmain, David, Jael, and Sylvia. It was the first time in this class that I got to collaborate with a group on one project, and it honestly taught me a lot about communication and how different problem solving styles can work together.    For my approach, I wanted to plan everything out before writing any code. I started by sketching out a UML diagram and thinking through how the whole program should be structured. Having the layout on paper helped me feel more confident before touching Java.    My teammates had different ways of approaching the assignment. For example, Sharmain liked checking other source online, looking for similar project worked well for her, while planning everything first worked better for me. Once we combined our strategies, things started to make more sense. My structure helped us stay organized, and their reference based method helped guide us when we were not sure how...

 The first week of CST338 (Week 0) has already gone by, and it has been quite a ride. I thought Java itself would be my biggest challenge, but I was wrong. Labs 1 and 2 gave me more trouble than I expected. Even though I followed every step of Prof.C’s video tutorials, my code just did not run the way it was supposed to. I tried everything I could think of, even asked ChatGPT for help, but it did not really fix the problem. On the bright side, I actually learned some cool things about Git. I did not run into any major issues with it, and I found it very useful. Version control is something I have always wanted to get better at, and this course has already helped me do that. Even though it is a four-unit course, it definitely feels like it takes more time than that. Lab00 and Lab01 each took me more than half a day to finish, and the CodingBat exercises were another challenge. Since I am more used to Python, Java feels a bit unfamiliar to me, so it is taking more time to get comfort...

This week marks the beginning of my journey in CST338, and wow — it’s been quite an introduction! The first week always feels like a whirlwind, and this one was no exception. There’s a lot to take in — new materials, tools, and expectations — and I’ve spent a good amount of time just getting familiar with everything. One thing that really stood out to me was the CodingBat section. It’s such an interesting way to practice Java problems and brush up on basic concepts. At first, it looked simple, but once I started solving them, I realized it was more challenging than I expected. I think part of that comes from the fact that I’m much more comfortable with Python than Java. The syntax and structure feel different, so it took me some time to switch gears mentally. To get through the exercises, I relied not only on the tutorial videos provided in the course but also spent quite a few hours on YouTube and Google looking up examples and explanations. It was a bit frustrating at first — I’d wri...

 Part 1: This week was very meaningful because it marked our first big project: creating a professional video related to computer science. Each team did an excellent job presenting their chosen topics with creativity and depth. Below are the videos I reviewed along with my evaluation and suggestions. Drone Delivery Systems - OTTERBOTS     Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppd_upisIGI The topic of drone delivery systems was well covered, showing a good understanding of both the technology and its applications. The presentation was clear and well-organized, making the content easy to follow. The research appeared solid, with relevant examples and supporting details. The teamwork was evident through smooth transitions and balanced participation. Overall, the video was appropriate for a general audience interested in technology. Trends of DeepFakes/AI Content Generation - EduOtter T rends of DeepFakes/AI Content Generation - EduOtte r     Link:  https...

 Part1:  This week has been both challenging and rewarding. I’m really proud of my team for creating an impressive and well-balanced video on AI ethics. In just eight minutes, we managed to cover all the key concepts clearly and effectively, a result that truly reflects the effort and dedication of Team 8. My main responsibilities were to create content and design the presentation slides. For research and idea generation, I used ChatGPT, which helped me refine complex topics into concise, understandable points. To design the slides, I worked with Google Slides and experimented with several online themes to make our visuals engaging and professional. Part 2: Reflecting on this week’s lecture readings, I watched Hany Farid’s TED Talk “How to Spot Fake AI Photos.” Farid, a digital forensic scientist, explained how generative AI allows anyone to produce incredibly realistic fake images and videos. While image manipulation isn’t new, AI has made it much more sophisticated. Farid em...