REFLECTIVE WRITING
I have always thought that I am good at finding information because all I have
to do is search everything in Google and the information I am looking for will appear.
I was wrong. I also assumed that the knowledge I required could only be found on
the internet and I was wrong again. Developing the ability to effectively search for
information on the internet came relatively easily to me. However, it was not until I
studied Information Management at university that I realized how limited my previous
knowledge was. UITM Segamat's Diploma in Information Management programme,
which I've been studying for the past two and a half years, has taught me a lot,
particularly regarding the collecting and management of information. It examines how
individuals and organizations interact with information, which is primarily digital
information, as well as data and the methods through which it is collected, structured,
and transmitted. Studying information management has assisted me in developing a
thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of information
management.
During the first semester of this course, I learned about a variety of
fundamental ideas as well as an introduction to information skills, management, and
the application of information and communication technologies. I also learned about
the information life cycle, which describes the processes that every written or
electronic record goes through from the time it is created until it is archived or
destroyed at the end of its useful life. It was a revelation to me when I discovered that
there are several information-gathering resources available, as I had previously
assumed that Google was the sole resource available when seeking information.
Next, this course introduced me to several other new concepts, such as copyrights,
patents, and trademarks, which I was previously partially unaware of. Before taking
this course, I was aware what is copyrights and trademarks, but I didn't have a
thorough understanding of what they were or how they worked.
Aside from that, this course introduced me to IMD113, which is a course on
the application of information and communication technology (ICT). I learned a great
deal about computers, including how they work, how they are built, what software
and hardware they use, and so on. Learning this subject was enjoyable for me
because it was something I had previously learned while studying Computer Science
in secondary school. Since I am interested in information and communications
technology, it is one of my favourite subjects to study. Because I had to learn the
theories of information and communications technology (ICT), which I find difficult
because I am more of a practical person, my enjoyment of learning this subject did
not last long. Fortunately, by the end of the first semester, I had done well and
passed all of the subjects on the final examinations, despite the fact that there were
certain days when I struggled a little bit while learning this course.
According to my learning experiences in this course, there is one subject that
I found particularly difficult to comprehend, and that is the subject IMD223
Introduction to Cataloging in Semester 4. I have a positive initial impression of this
subject because it is the first time I am learning it. It appears to be a fascinating
subject to learn. However, as the days passed, I found it increasingly difficult to
comprehend this subject because it is concerned with the fundamental concepts of
cataloging, which serve as the foundation for both descriptive and subject cataloging.
Despite the fact that it is only about the fundamental concepts, I still found it difficult
to learn and comprehend. When I looked at the blank exercise paper with no answer,
I realized that I would have to push myself harder and explore the depths of my
comprehension for this subject before I could move on. Not only did I gain a better
understanding of the subject, but I also managed to find delight in the process of
learning it, and I received an "A" on the final exam. I realized that the difficulties I
encountered while studying this subject motivated me to learn more about cataloging
and become more skilled in this profession as I seek to attain my ambition of working
in a library one day.
Overall, going beyond the four previous semesters and completely developing
my abilities and understanding of this course proved to be a difficult endeavour.
Because of this training, I have come to the realization that there are no shortcuts or
easier methods to be successful at what you do. I learned how to explore and use
the resources that are accessible to me in order to collect and manage the
knowledge I needed. In addition, as I used an online database, I gained new
knowledge and skills. It is one of the key concepts that were taught to us students
during our first semester of study. It is quite difficult to express all of the changes that
this course has brought about in my academic life, but throughout the previous
several semesters, as a student enrolled in the Information Management programme,
I have developed into a more capable student. Through the acquisition of new
knowledge and the investigation of alternative ways, I now have a solid basis on
which to build my career as an information professional.
(882 words)