The following document
contains my project Diary notes created during the completion of my DiDA
Project.
Monday 1st October
Introductory lesson about
beginning DiDA Project. We are told we should create a project diary to monitor
our progress. Rest of the lesson was discussing various way of planning a project.
Wednesday 3rd October
I began creating a task list
and breaking down tasks into sub tasks. Trying to use colour to make things
easier to understand. Think I may try and create a Gantt chart.
Friday 5th October
I am still mainly doing task
list, but started my Gantt chart and am scheduled to finish on Monday.
Monday 8th October
Gantt chart taking longer
than I thought. Didn’t get it tested or finished today. Still early days. Don’t
think research will take me as long as I have planned so can make up time.
Wed 10th October
I am not enjoying the Gantt
chart. Have become very confused with all the different colours I used. Teacher
suggested simplifying it and using a key. Looks better, but will still need a
bit more work.
Fri 12th October-Mon 15th
I was off sick, but managed
to get Gantt chart finished as homework. Did some Internet research while I was
ill. Had an ear infection, but had to spend lots of time in bed. Used my Dad’s
laptop to do some research when I felt well enough.
Wed 17th October
Now back at school. A lot of
people have already started their projects. I got some testers for my Gantt
chart and conducted more research. Feedback suggested my Gantt chart was too
complicated. However, my teacher thinks it is really good. Besides I’ve seen
other people’s plans and some of them are rubbish,
just big lists of tasks in a Word doc. I reckon mine looks much more
professional so I am not going to change it.
Teacher also took us through
a revision session of database skills, as some of us will be going to start
this soon. Looks easy enough.
Fri 19th October
Planning and starting
letter. Way behind schedule, but I’m on holiday soon. I reckon I can do letter
on my home PC in about an hour. No worries.
Mon 29th October
Back at school, started
survey. I am now 100% back on schedule as I finished my letter over the
holidays. Didn’t take long at all. Mail merge is easy – you just follow wizard.
Mon 5th November
Have been creating questions
and spreadsheet. Have conducted a few surveys already. Seems to be going ok.
Wed 7th November
Conducted loads of surveys
during lunch and after school. Reckon I have enough now. Going to start adding
results.
Fri 9th November
Results added analysis done,
going to carry on and finish survey report rather than go onto database. Finding that using formulas isn’t as hard as I thought.
Wed 14th November
Finished all survey tasks
and have written up the document. Starting database on Friday
Fri 16th
Created database ok. Need to
add data. Having trouble working out validation rules.
Wed 21st
Database becoming
complicated. Have added 5 new entries, but am stuck trying to work out what to
do with my test users. Have tried a few different approaches but had to scrap
them as they didn’t work.
Fri 23rd
Discussed with teacher why my database was so rubbish. He said I was trying to
create a relational database. He gave me some advice but said he couldn’t directly
help me finish it. I have worked out a way to salvage what I have done.
Mon 26th November
Database is done and dusted.
Will do reports for 5 test users later.
Wed 28th November
Working on
Information Point. I’m way behind
schedule. Can save files onto memory stick and work on information point at
home though.
Fri 7th December
Finished Information Point.
It is really good. Lots of impressive feedback from test users. Going to do
database reports in class and do some leaflet work at home. If I do the leaflet
in MS publisher I can transfer files between my home and school computer.
Fri 14th December
Test user activity reports
finishes. Have storyboarded my leaflets. Need to do some image editing work in
class, but have most of my text planned and written. Shouldn’t take too long.
Wed 19th December
Finished leaflet and it
looks great. Can start review. No too much behind schedule. Can relax over
Christmas holidays.
Mon 7th January
Review writing is not very
exciting. Need to tie up lots of loose ends. Have started thinking about
structure of my e-portfolio. Will probably have to work on e-portfolio and
review simultaneously.
Fri 11th January
Due to have finished review
but can’t totally finish review without creating e-portfolio. Have started a
few test pages and have written some commentaries.
Wed 16th January
Reckon I have written as much of the review as I can for the moment. Going to
crack on with E-portfolio design and page building. Quite like the web work,
it’s a welcome change from writing a review.
Monday 28th January
E-portfolio coming along ok, but have to go back and tidy up documents and
commentaries. Think I will be ok, but only two weeks left
Wed 6th Feb
E-portfolio looking ok, but need graphics and permissions. Not sure if I’ll
finish before half term. Went back and wrote more of review. Have tested links
for pages so far. Seems to all work ok. Keep thinking of extra features I
should add in like a site map and accessibility options. Don’t know if there is
time
Mon 11th of Feb
Final week and getting lots
of testing done, but still have to spend time testing other peoples’
e-portfolio as well. I am doing lots of writing at home so I can concentrate on
all the web bits in class. Nearly finished though.
Wed 13th Feb
Think it is all done. Final
files were uploaded today. Including this project diary. Need
to do testing, proofing and checks for the rest of the week.