Learning Plan

On this page is a hi-level overview of my Learning Plan over the next year which will include: "Short-Term", "Intermediate-Term" and "Long-Term" goals into 2019  . . .  Jeff Lu

Synthesis

Generating the Roadmap to Learning

In going through the 2018 stackoverflow Developer Survey Results I've decided that considering my specific background of technical coding skills which include prior experience in JavaScript, VBScript, C#, Visual Basic, SQL Server and Visual Studio a learning plan focused on:

Narrowed-down to the Python language and Angular.js framework I feel would best serve my particular needs at this stage in my career. Specific reasoning for these choices address the following:

  1. Python
    • Is an emerging general purpose programming language and is looking to continue and gain in relevance in 2019.
    • Particularly used in creating server side web apps
    • Good for quick prototyping as well as production ready software development.
    • Seem to be readily available online resources like w3schools and stackoverflow for self-directed learning.
    • I'm thinking to give myself 2 wks - 1 month to learn the basics.
  2. Angular.js
    • I'm seeing this more and more on job descriptions and to stay current I would like to learn some of the broad aspects of this framework.

ROAD MAP TIMELINE

Short Term
(2 months)

  1. In 2 months I'd like to have learned at least in a broad way Python and Angular. Specific tasks include the following:

    1. Download and Installation of required software.
    2. Learning/SW Development - To have gone through some introductory tutorials on Python and Angular using W3schools and stackoverflow websites.
    3. Peer Review - Possibly doing some peer review of coding with webmaster classmates as well as instructors/TAs.

Intermediate Term
(6 months)

  1. In 6 months to have gained more depth in Python and Angular building a few apps/websites with them. Specific tasks include the following:

    1. Learning/SW Development cont'd - Same as 1 b) where more complex coding structures used and enforcing more best practices as well as security and validation considerations.
    2. Peer Review cont'd - Continue with consulting webmaster classmates and possibly expanding network into current network of previous work peers.

Long Term
(1 year)

  1. In a year to have continued to increase in depth of skill/knowledge on Python and Angular and perhaps some React and Node.js. Specific tasks include the following:

    1. Learning/SW Development cont'd - Same as 1 b) and 2 a) again increasing complexity with possible use of template framework where available, best practices, security and validation considerations.
    2. Peer Review cont'd - By this time hope to have developed useful peer review colleagues and process to aid in development of more robust software.
    3. Resume Skills Update - Begin working on including these skills in an update of my resume with reference to concrete website examples demonstrating some proficiency.