PART 1

Prepare a 3 page (excluding title, abstract, and reference pages) essay using APA formatting techniques on the following topic:

• Future directions for UML and object technology

PART 2

COMMENT THESE 04 POSTS SEPARETELY SAY WHY YOU AGREE AND ASK SOME QUESTIONS TO MAKE THE DISCUSSION FLOWS

POST 1

Hello Classmates,

Week 8! We finally made it. Good luck to everyone, finish strong.

The discussion boards this semester actually helped more than I expected. Writing things out and seeing how others understood the material gave me different ways to look at it. The most interesting one for me was the system testing and architecture discussion. That one really tied a lot of the course concepts together and made me think about how the design actually supports the full system.

My favorite part of the course was using the CASE tool to build out the diagrams. At first, it felt a little clunky, but once I got the hang of it, it was a solid way to see how everything connected especially when working through things like the sequence and class diagrams.

The most useful thing I took from this class was learning how to take a simple use case and build it into something full-scale class design, diagrams, test cases, even SQL and Java. That process gave me a clearer picture of how real systems are put together. I know it's something I'll be using in future projects or roles.

The CASE tool definitely helped. Once I understood how to use it, it actually made the diagrams easier to manage and helped keep everything consistent. It made it easier to troubleshoot when things didn't line up.

If I had to suggest one improvement, I'd say maybe give more real examples of finished diagrams early on. Sometimes seeing a complete example upfront makes it easier to understand what's expected.

For anyone taking this course next, I'd tell them to start their work early and mess around with the tools as much as possible. That hands-on time is where most of the learning really happens.

Very Respectfully, Timothy Kimball

POST2

Hello Class,

Glad we all made it to week 8 and I hope we all did well in our class, I wish you all the best in your future classes and endevors. The discussions in this class were always a good source of information and discussion amongst my fellow students and i felt it was a good place to get an Idea of how other students like me are going along in their course work. For instance the discussions where we shared diagrams we made were very informative and helped me to realize the diagrams I was making actually looked good too, as i would make diagrams and think that they looked bad but when i looked at others i thought they looked good, it was only when i could compare all of ours side by side that I realized that my diagrams looked very similar to others in this class and werent as bad as I thought they were.

I cant really say there was a part of this course I enjoyed over any other to be honest as they all felt around the same to me although I did feel that the initial assignment where we made a class diagram was quite stressful as i tried to learn how to make one and what goes in it.

I feel the most significant thing I learned from this course were ways to manage my class schedules better so that I dont feel so overwhelmed by the work load as Ironically this class had the least amount of work for me to do these past few months.

I mainly used a website called draw. io and It worked well for me to make all my uml diagrams.

For recommendations to this course, i mainly recommend just updating the case study form to be only one form because midway through we were told to use a new ITOT case study form and there was essentially barely any changes, besides some small ones like grammar or a repeated instruction.

Lastly for students starting this course I recommend if you ever feel stuck or you dont know what a diagram should look like to try googling it and seeing other peoples examples also youtube helps alot as well for explaining things as I watched a few videos on class diagrams also sometimes you just gotta create a diagram and hope that it works out haha, lastly yes the use case diagram really is that easily and really is that simple to make there is no tricks and your not missing any components.

Thank you,

V/R,

Tyler Dunn

POST 3

Hello Class and Professor,

Congrats to everyone making it end! This has been the most difficult class I've taken so far, but I really feel that I learned a lot from it.

• Why are softskills important to your success as an information technology practitioner?

Softskills are greatly important in the IT field. Anyone can learn the technical side and how things work, but it's the skills around it that make or break an IT. Communication to me is the most important. This can be from the start of the troubleshooting process, all the way to escalation of a ticket. We as ITs need to be able to ask the right questions, as well as have empathy and compassion for our clients/users. They are often distraught because their device isn't working, so we need to be the ones to calm them down and reassure them that we can fix whatever the issue is.

• How effective are you at leading, working as a team member, collaborating and communicating with others?

I feel that I am good at both leading and working as a team member. I don't mind taking charge of a project, but I also know when to take a step back and be led on one. When I was active duty and running the shop, I liked to let my junior members take charge so that they were able to learn the technical skills as well as the leadership skills needed in different scenarios. That took a lot of communicating, but was a great learning experience for everyone.

• What degree are you working toward?

I am working for my Bachelors in Information Technology. I am down to only 4 classes and the capstone left, which I am starting 2 courses towards that in June!! I am trying to graduate in August/September, but at least by the end of the year. After that, I am starting my master's in engineering and technology management in February. I am a little nervous but excited!

• What courses are you starting next month? Why did you choose these courses?

Next month I am starting ISSC290-Securing Database and WEBD122-Into to Web Analytics, they are just the next 2 in my degree plan.

• If you anticipate any obstacles or have any concerns, how do you plan to address them?

I don't anticipate any obstacles.

• What improvement do you recommend for the course?

None at this time.

• What do you recommend for students enrolling in this course for the first time to succeed?

Be detail oriented and be ready to spend a lot of time on the homework. Meticulously reading the instructions for the assignments will help you get better grades.

I wish everyone the best of luck in their future endeavors!

-Katy

POST 4

Hi Class,

Soft skills are essential in the IT field. While technical skills might get your foot in the door, soft skills are what help you build a long-term career. Being able to communicate complex technical ideas to non-technical people, collaborate on teams, solve problems creatively, and adapt to change is crucial. IT is a field that's always evolving, so having the ability to work well with others and continuously learn new things can set you apart.

I'm currently working on my bachelor's degree in information technology, and I have nine classes left until graduation; it feels so close! I didn't change my major because I've always been interested in technology and wanted a degree that opens doors in areas like cybersecurity, systems administration, or IT consulting. Flexibility is important to me; I'm aiming for a career that allows me to spend more time with my kids without being stuck in a job that requires long, unpredictable hours.

Next month, I'll be continuing my program with courses that align closely with my career goals. Right now, I don't have any concerns to bring up with an APUS representative. As for obstacles, balancing school, family, and other responsibilities can get challenging, but keeping a structured schedule and setting small goals helps me stay on track.

If I could suggest one improvement for the course, it would be to add more hands-on, real-world assignments. They really help connect the concepts we're learning to practical skills we'll need in the workplace.

For new students starting this course, my advice is to stay consistent, manage your time wisely, and participate in discussions early. Engaging with the material and your classmates really makes a difference.

Best wishes to everyone on the next leg of your journey!