Advanced ECDL - databases
Databases today. Definitely the most tricky yet - although I was also starting from a base of almost no previous knowledge. I certainly would have struggled if we'd taken the exam in the morning, but three practice papers later, I was well prepared. There's one question that I might have got partly wrong, but I'm pretty sure that I got everything else right, so I should probably have scraped the 75% pass mark ;)
Although I think this is the aspect that I am least likely to use in the future, it was still interesting. However, I'm becoming increasingly convinced that the main benefits of these courses have actually been the preparation work, which was entirely using self-directed study. The course itself was really only of use for people who hadn't done the preparation, and to cram for the exam, and the qualifications are unlikely to make much difference to my CV. But it's fun, it's not my money, and saying that I would do it is part of what got me the money to do much more fun and useful things, like conferences.
Speaking of conferences, I got back to find an email from the conference organisers that has further dented my opinion of the IEEE. I've applied for a student paper competition, which requires a supervisor nomination. My supervisor, uncharacteristically, actually got this done well in advance, so it got submitted at least a week ago. This is partly because he's on holiday. So I was unimpressed when they sent it back today asking for a signature. Now, admittedly, he hadn't signed the form, but that's because it was a Word document to be uploaded on the web, which frequently means that an actual pen-and-ink signature is not expected. But apparently it is, and there needs to be one emails by 0800 EST tomorrow (that's 1300 GMT I think - which is 1400 BST). My supervisor is not due back by then... According to the email "If your Advisor is not available to provide a signature, you may obtain a signature from another professor." Now, this is a state-side person, where I believe that pretty much anybody with tenure gets to call themselves "Professor". So, hopefully, an Oxford university lecturer will do, unless I can get hold of the one other official Prof in the Institute.
Incidentally, I also had "Warden's Collections" today, which is where the college basically makes sure that you're not slacking or being abandoned by your supervisor. Mine went along the lines of "so, you're doing research I don't understand, and your supervisor waxes lyrical about how you're a model student. How's the thesis going?" Despite the fact that I have over a year to go... Still, I don't think I need to worry too much yet. Although I am wondering if I need to do more expectation management on the supervisor front - he seems to have an inflated belief of my capability to produce results to tight deadlines at zero notice. I mean, yes, I have done so, but I'd rather not be expected to do so again - it was horrible.
Although I think this is the aspect that I am least likely to use in the future, it was still interesting. However, I'm becoming increasingly convinced that the main benefits of these courses have actually been the preparation work, which was entirely using self-directed study. The course itself was really only of use for people who hadn't done the preparation, and to cram for the exam, and the qualifications are unlikely to make much difference to my CV. But it's fun, it's not my money, and saying that I would do it is part of what got me the money to do much more fun and useful things, like conferences.
Speaking of conferences, I got back to find an email from the conference organisers that has further dented my opinion of the IEEE. I've applied for a student paper competition, which requires a supervisor nomination. My supervisor, uncharacteristically, actually got this done well in advance, so it got submitted at least a week ago. This is partly because he's on holiday. So I was unimpressed when they sent it back today asking for a signature. Now, admittedly, he hadn't signed the form, but that's because it was a Word document to be uploaded on the web, which frequently means that an actual pen-and-ink signature is not expected. But apparently it is, and there needs to be one emails by 0800 EST tomorrow (that's 1300 GMT I think - which is 1400 BST). My supervisor is not due back by then... According to the email "If your Advisor is not available to provide a signature, you may obtain a signature from another professor." Now, this is a state-side person, where I believe that pretty much anybody with tenure gets to call themselves "Professor". So, hopefully, an Oxford university lecturer will do, unless I can get hold of the one other official Prof in the Institute.
Incidentally, I also had "Warden's Collections" today, which is where the college basically makes sure that you're not slacking or being abandoned by your supervisor. Mine went along the lines of "so, you're doing research I don't understand, and your supervisor waxes lyrical about how you're a model student. How's the thesis going?" Despite the fact that I have over a year to go... Still, I don't think I need to worry too much yet. Although I am wondering if I need to do more expectation management on the supervisor front - he seems to have an inflated belief of my capability to produce results to tight deadlines at zero notice. I mean, yes, I have done so, but I'd rather not be expected to do so again - it was horrible.