This course has helped me grow as a person. Before taking this course, I knew the bare minimum about computers because that is all I really needed to know. I have never been good at figuring out new technology, especially involving the computer. So, when I first realized this course was going to be based on coding with the computer, I was not sure if I should stick with it because I assumed I would be bad at it, and it would be very difficult. But I am glad I did stick with it because I realized that just because I am not good at something does not mean I cannot learn how to be good at it. I have surprised myself with my capability of being able to work on a computer through coding and it has made me want to try other knew things as well that I previously have not because I didn’t think I would be good at it.
Everything in this course that has been taught has been new information. I did not know how computers were created, how to do basic codes or that you even could do basic codes on any computer, I did not know much about Arifical Intelligence, and I had never heard of Thoreau and his book “Walden”. I surprised myself with how interested I was in reading the sections of “Broad Band” because before this course I never cared about learning the history of computers, but I found the beginning chapters of this book the most interesting. It amazes me that six women were able to create codes for a machine they had never seen before and how they received no real credit for their hard work and dedication for beginning something that is now used widely and daily.
One of the most important things I have learned in this course was about Artificial Intelligence (AI). When AI first became open to the public, I never used it and was scared about what would come of it. I have since learned that I feared Super AI and that there are different types of Artificial Intelligence. Our discussions on AI have also made me reflect on other classes because of what I have been told about AI. In my other classes, specifically in my English courses, we have only been taught about how AI is bad for writing and how it does not teach you to write and organize your own thoughts/ideas in an essay. After reading the AI articles, watching the videos, and looking at ChatGPT versions of “Walden” compared to the originals, I do see some benefits with AI. When reading difficult texts like “Walden” where some sections are harder to understand because of the dialect used. I was able to better understand the ChatGPT version of Walden compared to the original, but it does remove key elements from the original like tone. After doing this activity it has slightly changed my view on the use of AI when it comes to writing. It is a tool that should not write essays for you, but it is helpful with comprehension and organizing your thoughts, especially when you are stuck.
Overall, I have learned a lot in this course. I am not sure if I will continue to code after this course is over, but the value in being able to do something I previously had no knowledge of and being able to execute it is far greater than the coding itself.