Over the first 6 weeks of this course I have overcome several problems and feel as though I am making headway into my goals for the first time in a long time.

I have successfully set up a programming environment for Python & Kivy on Windows (and then again on Linux due to a full system meltdown) and started a Jekyll blog. The app jam was a success in my eyes, however I was unable to use Python & Kivy due to my lack of knowlegde and the pressing timeframe, so instead I built my app using the MIT App Inventor which enabled me to meet my MVP.

This gave me the advantage of not having to know any programming syntax, being itself a point and click pseudo code builder. Meeting my MVP meant that I had an app I could show my client (in this case my football manager), and test in a real world situation, highlighting unforseen bug and desperately needed features.

Every time I heard the word “smart” I think of this clip.

My SMART objective:

I’m going to rebuild my appjam app (PitchPal) using Python & Kivy, so that I can gain a better understanding of building an app from scratch in a relevant language, and I’m going to master my time planning while I’m doing this. I’m going to commit at least 5 hours per week for the remaining 7 weeks of the module, meeting weekly targets so I can track my progress.

There are numerous online resources that I can use to support me with this, most notably Stack Overflow for specific problem solving, but I will also be working through the book Learn Python the Hard Way. Obviously I will also be using all of my notes and resources from the app jam.

For time management, I will be using Trello and committing to a weekly blog update. I have provisionally organised the 7 week breakdown as follows:

  1. Setup working environment
  2. Create app structure
  3. Creat app functionality
  4. Create app styling
  5. App app improvements
  6. Finish app
  7. Launch app

Be transparent in your actions, and secret in your plans - Paulo Coelho