'Twas a busy day today. Curriculum review, grades, reports, reports, reports... Good thing is, I've done everything I needed to do. Next week is review week, the week after is exam week.  2 weeks to go and we're on vacation. Yahoo! Actually, we have summer classes but I will not be handling any of the CS subjects.  Time for me to take a 2-month vacation.  I need to recharge!  A lot of things will be happening come June.

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Oh... I forgot to blog about this.  Ateneo de Davao University was named Center of Development for IT Education by the Commission on Higher Education (for the 2nd time).  :)  Being a Center of Excellence (just like ADMU) is something we can aspire for next time.  Congratulations to everyone in the Computer Studies Division. We did great! :)

I hate it when people get in touch with you only when they need something. :(

I'll teach them a lesson they will never forget. Hmmppp!

I was talking to my 7-year old daughter last Sunday about her health.  She has been diagnosed with rheumatic fever. She's taking some medicines to make sure it doesn't develop into rheumatic heart disease.  I told her that she has to inform me when she doesn't feel well or she feels out of breath.  I was speechless when her reply was... "Even if you're not in the office, or even if you are in a meeting, or even if I don't know where you are?".

Her reply was simple but it meant many things.  She always calls me in the office, even if it is just to say 'Hello' or just wants to know where I am.  Most of the time she gets a reply from the secretary telling her I am in class, I am in a meeting, or I went out of campus to attend some training or seminar.  I always tell myself that she would understand if I am busy.  But then again, I realized, that reply just meant that I am not always around when she calls and it's not OK with her. :(

My husband suggested that we should give her a mobile phone so that she can always call us when she needs anything, especially now.  That would probably give her a sense of security at the same time, it would foster better communication. I think this is a good idea.  What do you think?

First of all, I would like to thank Maam Didith for the tip.  Yes, I accepted the appointment.  :)

It isn't that hard after all if you look at it more in the "professional" side than the "personal" side.  Time for me to "grow up". :D

Being part of the curriculum committee of the university is taking a lot of my time these days.  We just had a presentation of the proposed core subjects to the University President.  He was quite happy with it having a balance of Social Sciences, Humanities, Science and Technology, Philosophy and Theology subjects for all students. 

On to our next task - review the professional subjects for each program offered.  My task is to review the BSCS, BSIT and BSIM programs. 

Last month, I ran an online survey for our BSCS alumni.  The questions revolve around how they found the BSCS curriculum when they were students, what they want to improve, and so on.

Here's a summary of the results:

• 30 respondents, 93% are employed fulltime in an IT firm
• The respondents were satisfied with the Computer Science program in terms of preparing them for a career and graduate school.
• The respondents felt that the Computer Science program somewhat prepared them to apply computer science principles and concepts, use research methods, develop software, use/apply the scientific approach and critical thinking skills, work in teams, interact with people from diverse backgrounds and cultural perspectives, and express themselves in writing and oral communication.
• In general, the respondents identified all the courses offered by the Computer Science program to be beneficial in terms of preparing them for a career. Among the different courses offered by AdDU, a majority identified to be very beneficial were:
• Fundamental Computer Concepts
• Object-Oriented Programming in C++
• Object-Oriented Programming in Java
• Basic Web Development
• Web Database Development
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Computer Networks
• Organization of Databases
• Systems Analysis and Design
• Practicum
• Independent Research
• The topics that they wish AdDU offered as electives:
• Multimedia Courses
• Animation and Game Development
• Robotics / Artificial Intelligence
• Network and Computer Security
• .NET technology
• J2EE
• Project Management
• Most of their comments and suggestions centered on course content, instructional procedures and use of the laboratory.  They felt that an in-depth coverage of theories and their practical applications is useful. They also suggested an open laboratory use. 

So, based on the results, we are now looking at our curriculum and find out how we can address these suggestions. 

Your thoughts?

Hello theSpoke!  I'm back.  Missed me? Maybe not.

I was on blog holiday for a year.  But really, I was just a 'passive' blogger.  I read blogs from here.  They get sent to my email address so I am still updated with what's going on, especially Sir Alfred's and Maam Didith's blogs.  They are very inspiring and gives me a chance to 'reflect'. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I always look forward to reading your blogs.  My day isn't complete without them.

So, I'm here.

A friend sent me this interesting link:

http://research.microsoft.com/ur/us/fundingopps/RFPs/Search_2006_RFP.aspx

I just wish a student or faculty from our school will be interested.  I am, but not a priority as of the moment. So many things to do, so little time...

I always visit theSpoke to read blogs. I just don't have time to blog about anything. I think I just don't have anything interesting happening in my life right now.  . 

Anyway, I took that Muppet Personality Test that Bernard posted.  I am a Scooter. Just wanna share it.

Brainy and knowledgable, you are the perfect sidekick.
You're always willing to lend a helping hand.
In any big event or party, you're the one who keeps things going.
"15 seconds to showtime!"

Take care everyone! :)

Might not have a chance to greet everyone here again, so...

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR  theSpoke! :D

I just came out - I must mention, "barely alive" - from an "argument" with a student of mine.  The point of argument is on program correctness. 

He asked:  Why did I give him a low grade for his exam when his program produced the correct outputs. 

My point:  He did not use the Stack data structure properly. 

He argues:  But it worked!  (Poor guy... too bad, he's in MY class...)  

I can't stress well enough that it is not just about producing the correct outputs... it is producing the CORRECT program... 

But, it also got me thinking now... What exactly is a CORRECT program? 

Your thoughts please... :)

I am supposed to wear prescription glasses.  I already had 7 glasses made.  Funny thing is, I just use my new glasses for less than a month, then it stays inside my cabinet.  The last eyeglasses I had , I used it for around a month (probably), and now it sits on a table inside the office. hahaha

Last Saturday, I went to see my doctor because I had been feeling nauseous and have been complaining about "painful" eyes, especially when working in front of the PC. He told me to see my optometrist.  (Un)surprisingly, what else would the optometrist say but, WEAR YOUR GLASSES.  Oh well. What did I expect? hahaha He checked the previous prescription glasses he made for me, but told me that I need new glasses. 

So, today, I have new glasses on.  Question is, will this stay with me for more than two weeks?  Let's wait and see. :D

// Edit: 

@Bernard, she_lim and jasper:  I have been attending to my classes and some administrative tasks lately.  Last week, we had our IT Education week, so I was busy - programming competition, conference, etc.  And yes, I wish I spent it Christmas Shopping instead. hehehe 

Hello theSpoke!  Just dropping by to tell everyone that I am still alive and kicking! hahaha 

Hello to dear friends here... Take care, y'all!

I received this e-mail from a friend of mine. I think it is funny so I want to share it.  If you have read this before, sorry.. I just got it today... hahahaha

And I  quote...

Hot on the heels of the success of the show, "Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?" welcome to "Who Wants to Marry a Software Engineer?"   Silicon Valley's newest game show.   Here's your contestant questionnaire... 

1) What quality do you value most in your partner?
a) A sense of humor.
b) Emotional maturity.
c) High bandwidth.

2) When you get home at the end of the day, you like to:
a) Turn on the Silicon Valley Business report, and eat dinner.
b) Hook up to your ISP, and check out the hit count on your web page.
c) Recharge your cell phone, laptop, and wireless modem, change batteries on your pager, and synchronize your Palm Pilot and home computer.

3) Your ideal partner is:
a) Interesting and attractive.
b) Emotionally mature and understanding.
c) Extensible and polymorphic.

4) In spiritually difficult times, you often turn to:
a) Dilbert.
b) Kernighan and Ritchie.
c) comp.lang.c++

5) If go over to your partner's place and think it's a mess, you would:
a) Complain to him/her, and tell them to tidy up.
b) Call a maid service.
c) make clean

6) What kind of car would you like to buy next, and why?
a) A BMW, because people will see that I am rich and successful.
b) A Jeep, because it's youthful, rugged, and won't break down.
c) A Honda, because the engine control computer can be hacked for more horsepower.

7) If your partner comes home from work complaining bitterly about his/her boss, you will:
a) Give a hug, pour a drink, and tell your partner that you love him/her.
b) Commiserate about how unfair managers can be.
c) Forge the boss's e-mail address, and subscribe him/her to 17 pornography mailing lists.

8) Name the 4 essential food groups:
a) Fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy.
b) Coffee, chocolate, takeout, ice cream.
c) rec.food.cooking, rec.food.veg, ba.food, alt.food.chocolate

9) You like to travel with your partner because:
a) You share new experiences together.
b) You learn about each other in different situations.
c) You get more use out of your wireless modem.

10) How would you describe your attitude towards religion?
a) "I'm not particularly religious."
b) "I believe in emacs, but can use vi."
c) "I think emacs can be configured as a full IDE."

11) You think a relationship is ready for a permanent commitment because:
a) You've successfully struggled through several years of good and bad times.
b) You're already living together, so you might as well tie the knot.
c) You finally got your local network configured just right.

12) If you and your partner got married, you would want to:
a) Keep your last name.
b) Change your last name.
c) Combine your names with a hyphen.
d) Combine your names with an underscore.

13) You and your partner think it's time to have children when:
a) Your stock options are vested.
b) You've agreed on the requirements and design.
c) You've come up with a good naming convention.
d) You really understand the use of multiple inheritance

Harharhar... :D

Around a decade or so ago, my mom started to collect keychains from all over the world.  She usually gets them from friends and relatives who travel.  In one of our "serious" conversations (4 years ago, I think), she said that she will leave me her keychain collection when she dies... ngek! She's already 79 years old, btw.  Anyway, so that started my keychain frenzy, too.  Now, I collect keychains myself.

One of the best things of being a teacher is being able to tell former students that whenever they leave the Philippines, a keychain for me when they get back will be very welcome. hahaha Just this week, I got 5 keychains... 1 from Hongkong (Disneyland!), 2 from Australia, 1 from the United States (White House) and 1 from Singapore.  All from my former students!

So, theSpoke people, you know what to give me.... hahaha

Well... it's back to school for all of us here.  Second semester started yesterday.  I am still "craving" for a vacation... I was supposed to be on a semestral break but since we joined the Asian Regionals for ACM-ICPC, we had to work doubly hard plus the travel time.  No regrets though.  I enjoyed every minute of it.  Just that, I would have wanted to take a "breather" first before the semester started.  But, when I came back, it was enrollment... and of course, I had to prepare for my classes... At least, I enjoy the two classes assigned to me:  Two (2) C programming classes and two (2) Data Structures and Algorithms classes.  Not bad!  I love these two subjects! hehehe 

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Oh, I remember now... I had one-day vacation and spent it in ENCHANTED KINGDOM last October 30... The Space Shuttle was the best!  :D   

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This is long overdue... I want to congratulate punzki and his teammates for getting the Best Local Team award for the ACM-ICPC Asian Regionals last Oct. 29.  Well-deserved!  Congratulations to ADMU also for being an excellent host!  See you again next year.

My teams did well.... We'll get you guys next year! hahaha