Reflecting on module two: Smart Environments

This module was a heavy one! Smart Environments ask a lot of multidiscipline skills.

I look back on what I learned it surprises me.  In a short of 10 weeks I learned a lot of new skills and got new knowledge.

I learned:

• ·      the basics physics, I followed a course for the introduction of physics. The themes they taught were electromagnetism, mechanics and energy and power.
• ·      to build an electric circuit according to a schematic representations.
• ·      to document electric circuits by the program Fritzing.
• ·      to program in Arduino and Processing  and let this program’s communicate with each other. This makes it possible to do more advanced stuff than only with arduino.
• ·      I learned to work with different type of sensors for example a distance sensor and touch sensors. Combining different sensors can create other interesting ways of sensing. I did this by making several assignments for the subject physical computing.
• ·      more about systems of sensors and how they can be used. I learned this in the lessons over Smart Environments.
• ·      how to systematic design a product. This can be a real product or software.  I followed the subject systematic engineering and designing and we had to write a project plan, requirements report, design report, a test plan and evaluation report. So I learned how this documents could help me to systematic design a product.
• ·       the basics of 3-d sketching. This is something that is should develop further. I have the feeling that I do not master this concept entirely.
• ·      more about the relation between math and audio. I have read a chapter about digital music by the subject Engineering our digital future.
• ·      more about communication systems. I have read a chapter about digital communications systems by the subject engineering our digital future.
• ·      to work under pressure and to hold on the deadlines.  I reduce stress by changing my way of planning. I make now more realistic schemes. I plan more breaks and try to sport more.
• ·      to think about collaboration. I experienced last project that many people have a different way of working. In this last project I have learned better to cope with this differences. For example trying to find compromise to work on a part of project together or at home alone.
• ·      a way to organize an event. Wit the fancy and culture comity I organized a jaim sessions and a charity event. Both were a lot of work to organize but I learned a lot from it.