Nt1310 Unit 1 Reflection Paper

In unit one we covered a lot of information that was new to me such as the introduction to the various layers of an OSI model and the different standards an ways networks can communicate such as Ethernets and ATM. I still have a fairly high level of confusion with these new-to-me topics but as it looks like we will be examining each layer in the subsequent units I believe my understanding will improve.

I will address the questions presented on the learning journal assignment page directly as this has been the preference in my previous instructors. If you do not prefer this method in the future, let me know and I will just directly incorporate them in my write up. The Learning Journal Task we were assigned in the learning guide follows the questions.

Describe any feedback you received or any specific interactions you had.

Discuss how they were helpful Describe your feelings and attitudes What surprised me or

I can see the first steps in the understanding of not only how network functions, but how to actually make it do so well. While I’m not sure I can do anything greatly with what I’ve learned so far, I can see how it is a basis for what will come.

What am I realizing about myself as a learner? I really want to understand how things work. I hate just having to accept that something just happens because it does. So much of networking has appeared to occur behind the scenes to me that it has always been an aggravation. Sometimes, in order to learn something, you just need to go headlong into it. Despite not understanding everything I read, I’m learning that I should continue moving forward as it is likely that as I read more the pieces will come together.

In what ways am I able to apply the ideas and concepts gained to my own experience? Again, I don’t feel like I’ve yet learned something that I can practically apply at this point, but I feel like maybe after next week’s unit that will start