My Projects from Data-related Courses..

• Superforecasting: Customer Analytics Growth: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1qsoQYDDsk_6DW3Hji0iRQZ53IYY-tIl7BMK9lxqWG80/edit#slide=id.g35f391192_00
• Applied Data Analytics: Brazilian E-commerce: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RnO1HUX_tOwi7_XCm7dAJbEoOhl5JteW80Jhy0L6Fag/edit#slide=id.g8ea72f4a77_6_125
• Business Analytics: Customer Characteristic Analysis:
  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1BZH_mVIGxLh1hD9r5hVuXgYOV7U0UBRaQovGRtuZGFs/edit#slide=id.g287d0a98293_0_18
• Data Visualization: Tableau: Visualizing the Pandemics Across Human History
  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1f2erEtSRxDww25yhlMqElbB8n7evppfB8vX6h_pIznQ/edit#slide=id.g1192a6eebb8_0_18

[Reflection]: Twine Game: Moment of Truth & Restaurant

Here is the link for the first game and second game:

What a delightful collaboration with Crystal and Stella on yet another project! This time, we ventured into crafting two versions of a Twine Game, with “Moment of Truth” being the one I was most deeply involved in. This idea sprouted from my experience with the “Monster Prom” game on Steam. While I struggled to advance in the original game, I saw this as an opportunity to gain insight into game strategies by creating one. The pandemic had kept me away from any real prom experiences for a while, so immersing myself in creating this virtual prom was both fulfilling and nostalgic.

Our game revolves around guiding players through choices that, if made correctly, allow them to attend the prom with their preferred character. I curated images to enhance the gaming atmosphere, while collective brainstorming sessions with Crystal and Stella solidified our game’s theme. Our synergy was evident; we collaborated effortlessly in the library, making our communication streamlined and effective. However, we did recognize certain shortcomings, primarily our game’s subjectivity and lack of concrete facts.

This led Stella to spearhead another game, “Restaurant,” focusing on the theme of meat production—a subject she’s deeply passionate about. While she took charge of research, I supported by clarifying terminologies. Presenting our games to the class was straightforward. I elucidated my perspectives on both games and highlighted the significance of one meat product, emphasizing the importance of environmental and animal welfare.

This Twine Game project imparted several invaluable lessons. The importance of logical thinking, the necessity of supporting ideas with factual evidence, and the intricate balance of design and problem-solving in game creation became more pronounced. I’ve also recognized the indispensability of planning and the power of robust evidence to reinforce my writings. Most significantly, the experience underscored the beauty of teamwork. Working with Stella and Crystal has been a boon; their thoughtfulness and support have not only made our projects a success but also enriched my communication skills.

Laurie’s SECRET coffee recipe

As a devoted coffee aficionado, I have a particular fondness for Iced Americano and Iced Almond Milk Latte. However, this piece isn’t a chronicle of my journey into the world of coffee. Instead, it’s an analogy where I liken the various elements in different coffee beverages to the components of my writings in class.

Take, for instance, the Iced Mint Latte. Its recipe, as depicted in my drawing, symbolizes my narrative writing. Crafting our technology literacy narrative required five essential components, mirroring the steps in brewing the perfect Iced Mint Latte. In this allegory, the Cold Brew epitomizes the stretches we undertake in our class. The Frappe is synonymous with our Podcast Series, while the Iced Mocha finds its counterpart in the Twine game.

Each coffee type has its unique ingredients and steps. “Laurie’s Mint Syrup” signifies the initial draft for our technology literacy narrative. For the Frappe, given its alignment with the podcast production process, “Laurie’s Iced Coffee” evolves into the planning and finalizing stages for the podcasts. Meanwhile, “Laurie’s Hot Chocolate” encapsulates our collaborative spirit in crafting the Twine Game.

Technology: More Than Family

Bathed in the soft glow of ambient light, a young Laurie beams at a computer, delight evident in her eyes. Years later, under a similar warm illumination, an older Laurie smiles at her laptop in her dorm, her roommate seated just behind. This imagery captures my relationship with technology, underlining how it has consistently brought joy into my life.

Merely stating technology’s pivotal role in modern life feels too abstract. In today’s society, where the digital landscape permeates every facet of our existence, wielding technology adeptly is akin to possessing a superpower. As students, we lean on a spectrum of digital tools to write, study, listen to music, and engage in online classes. The pandemic’s shift towards remote learning underlines this new era of education.

Reflecting on my past, technology has always been the bridge strengthening my bond with my parents. Childhood memories are replete with moments where my mother guided me in typing or setting up my first blog. These sessions not only honed my writing but also nurtured our relationship. Later, when I moved to America for school, daily video calls on my phone and computer helped mitigate the physical distance. Today, as a college student with a packed schedule, our conversations may be fewer, but the habit persists. The instantaneity of modern communication, facilitated by technology, is a stark contrast to the slow, deliberate nature of the letters of bygone eras.

Beyond its practical uses, technology has been my emotional anchor. On challenging days, a swift video call reconnects me with my parents, their comforting words just a click away. This sentiment echoes Crystal’s reflection on how technology, especially in today’s digital era, fosters solidarity, allowing individuals like her to find solace in shared online narratives.

While the merits of technology are undeniable, it’s crucial to address its dual nature. It facilitates connection, making the world feel smaller and more accessible. My classmate Jessica’s morning ritual of scouring social media resonates with many of us. However, this dependency on technology can edge towards addiction. The lure isn’t the device but the apps and platforms that capture our attention.

Bowen’s accounts of his time in Mongolia provide a refreshing perspective. Occasionally unplugging and immersing oneself in the raw beauty of nature offers profound insights. In our fast-paced, tech-saturated world, it’s essential to carve out moments of introspection, reflecting on the evolving dynamics of our relationship with technology.

In conclusion, Stella’s observation resonates deeply: “technology fuels multitasking, a double-edged sword in itself.” Like her, I too am navigating this balance between the digital and the tangible. As a starting measure, I plan to monitor my weekly screen time—though I’ll conveniently exclude those cherished video calls with my parents!

[Co-Producer Reflection]: Public Health is Beyond My Thought

I owe a debt of gratitude to my teammates for introducing me to the realm of public health. As a business school student immersed in calculations and formulas, venturing into an entirely different field was truly exhilarating. Stella conducted interviews with two individuals: the Executive Director of Admission and Recruitment at the Emory Rollins School of Public Health and a scholar currently enrolled in the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Through the podcast, I not only grasped the importance of public health but also gained insights into the impact of COVID-19 on public health in our educational community and the student body at large. The podcast is a treasure trove of intriguing and valuable information. Prior to this project, my understanding of public health was nebulous, with hospitals being my primary association.

In my role as an assistant producer, I gleaned much from my teammates. Stella, our producer, showcased immense dedication and responsibility. Initially, she set her sights on interviewing the director of admission at the Rollins School of Public Health. In a bid to diversify the podcast, she reached out to a student at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. While I wasn’t involved in the editing process, I can surmise that Stella invested considerable time and effort, given the depth and length of the interviews, especially in relation to the possible impacts of the pandemic on public health graduate program admissions. The final podcast is a testament to her tenacity and skill. The coherence between her choice of music and content left a profound impression on me. Additionally, Crystal’s impeccable writing skills shone through in the podcast’s introduction and conclusion.

This podcast not only enlightened me about the multifaceted challenges during the pandemic but also afforded me the privilege of collaborating with two exceptional teammates.

My Playlist — FALL MADNESS?

The name of my playlist is “when your friend was mad with his math315 and qtm151.”

I curated this playlist in response to a close friend’s struggles with MATH 315 and QTM 151. Given the challenging nature of these courses and the sheer volume of homework, it’s no wonder he felt overwhelmed. Wanting to provide solace and motivation during the midterms, I carefully selected tracks that would resonate with him. I incorporated some of his favorite tunes from The Weeknd and Kygo and also added songs from my own go-to calming playlist. Incidentally, when he learned about this assignment, he expressed a keen interest in joining our class!

HTML Landing Page

Here is the link to my landing page

This semester, I enrolled in the CS170 class, only to discover that coding presents a real challenge for me. Grasping the underlying logic often eludes me, and I admit that I might lack the patience required for coding. Interestingly, I had previously dabbled in coding during high school, attending a foundational computer class. What surprised me during this assignment was the realization that creating a landing page wasn’t as daunting as I had imagined. With clear instructions, the task felt quite manageable. Yet, I wish I had been more inventive when styling the page.

Truthfully, coding has never been my forte. The nuances of programming languages often overwhelm me. So, the mere mention of this assignment filled me with apprehension, and I anticipated seeking assistance from Professor Morgen or my classmates. But as I started, I found that the detailed guidance provided made constructing the HTML file straightforward. The challenge arose when I aimed to add flair to my page using the CSS file. Inspired by Professor Morgen’s website, and after analyzing its source code, I adapted it with my touch, finally creating my desired landing page. While learning to code can be more intricate than most anticipate, it’s seldom as insurmountable as one might fear during challenging moments. It’s an iterative process of identifying issues and resolving them.

Squidward and His Broccoli Dress

I selected images of Squidward and broccoli to merge. My fondness for broccoli, my favorite vegetable, combined with my admiration for Squidward, a beloved character from the SpongeBob series, inspired this choice. The broccoli’s shape is reminiscent of a dress, making it apt to blend with Squidward’s form. When creating my composite image, I faced challenges: some images had white borders making seamless integration difficult, and the clarity of the images diminished post-download. My final rendition suggests that even though Squidward doesn’t wear underwear in SpongeBob, he can certainly don a broccoli dress. The harmonizing green hues suggest that broccoli is indeed a fitting attire for Squidward.

[Producer Reflection]: Language instruction Aboard vs. In-Person

In this podcast episode, our aim was to spotlight the challenges faced by language professors from diverse countries as they adapted to online teaching during the pandemic. While much attention has been directed towards students—particularly international students grappling with time zone differences—the narrative of professors teaching from their home countries abroad remains underexplored. We dedicated this episode to uncover the story of Professor Yoojin, a Korean language educator at Emory, who transitioned between virtual and physical classrooms.

During her online teaching stint in Korea, Professor Yoojin grappled with keeping students engaged and discerning their interest level—a task made even more challenging without the nuance of face-to-face communication. These experiences prompted her to reevaluate foundational teaching methodologies. Yet, her return to in-person teaching revealed a silver lining: the pandemic had underscored the often-underestimated value of non-verbal cues and interpersonal relationships in education.

I was particularly vested in this theme, having experienced the challenges of online language learning firsthand. During my freshman year, I enrolled in Professor Yoojin’s Korean 101 and 102 courses, adjusting to early morning classes from China. I was curious to understand her perspective, teaching remotely from Korea. Our subsequent interview was candid and filled with shared laughter, attesting to our shared connection despite the virtual medium.

The podcast’s production was collaborative from the outset. We started with pre-planned interview questions, followed by in-person recordings. My team—Stella, Crystal, and I—devised an introduction, an ABT (And, But, Therefore) structure, and a conclusion. While I handled the initial editing and visual design using Canva, Crystal refined the audio, enhancing the background score.

Navigating the unfamiliar terrain of podcast editing, I encountered hiccups with file format conversions, leading me to transition from Audacity to Audition. Stella and Crystal were invaluable throughout this process; their insights and skills were crucial to the podcast’s completion. Our experience underscored the significance of communication and collaborative effort in achieving a shared vision.

Looking forward, I will approach writing assignments with a comprehensive plan, drawing inspiration from our podcast production process. The synergy between Stella, Crystal, and myself exemplified the potency of teamwork and peer learning, reinforcing their indispensability in academic and creative endeavors.

This is a link for our podcast .

Reflection: Technology Literacy Narrative, Part 2

After reviewing my peers’ narratives, I refined my argument to encompass more aspects concerning the drawbacks of technology. Additionally, I delved into the challenges college students face in regulating and balancing their screen time. While I retained the core message from my initial draft, I integrated broader perspectives to fortify my argument’s persuasiveness. Stella’s narrative stood out with its distinct and coherent structure. Reflecting upon this, I aimed to render my narrative more logically sequenced and vivid.

Through the process of crafting two drafts for the literacy narrative, I’ve recognized the importance of iterative revisions. I’ve come to understand that an essay’s potency can be significantly enhanced by incorporating diverse insights gleaned from fellow students.