The Reflection by Taining Zhang

December 9, 2017

1. What did I learn technically?

   1. I learnt how to design an App including dividing the application into different parts and using proper way to connect each part.
   2. I learnt how to use XML to design the UIs of android application.
   3. I learnt how to develop an application using java in Android studio.
   4. I learnt how to design a proper database for an android application and how how to use firebase to build the database.
   5. I learnt how to store data into the firebase database and query data from the firebase database and how to pass data between different activities.

2. What did I learn professionally?

   1. This is a group project, so I learnt how to work with my teammates and how to divide the big project into proper parts for each member in my group.
   2. I learnt how to deal with the idea conflict when we discuss the project.
   3. I learnt how to combine different parts together when my teammates finish their parts.
   4. I learnt how to evaluate the android application n different aspects.

3. What do I wish Ming could have done differently?

   I wish that Ming could organize more groups discussion. Different groups can share their idea, technology and experience. This may help student to know more technologies and have different idea with their own project.

4. If I was to do this all over again, what would I do differently?

   I think there is a problem in our application, which is users cannot communicate with the users who have the same interested place with them in the app. In our app, users can only see the contact info of other users. If I could make one change, I would like to add a chat room function in our application. Then, users can talk with each other just in the app. Besides, I will choose react native to implement the app if I was to do this all over again, because it is the most popular technology nowadays.

5. If I could make one change to this Mobile Development course, what would it be and why?

   I would like to have more small practices of the course. Those practices can help students to practice the technology and skills that professor teach in the class. This can help students to have a better understanding of those technologies and the skills which will also be helpful for the big project.