Final Blog Post

Computer Science I was, in a word, frustrating. This is not to say, however, that I did not enjoy it at times or value what it taught me. Overall, the class was a good learning experience because it made me tackle a subject that I had no previous knowledge of nor any natural instinct about.

The class started out easy. Scratch and Alice at first appeared to be confusing and overwhelming since they were so brand new to me, but after doing many labs with them, I got the hang of it. I did not, however, understand how they were preparing me for Java. I also did not know how difficult and complicated Java would be.

Before Java, we used Jeroo, which appeared simple on the surface but proved to be frustrating when I had to generate one code for multiple scenarios. I had to do this for the final, and it took me a long time to get my final grade up to an 80 for that reason. I got bored with the simplicity of Jeroo because all we used were the Jeroo, water, and flowers, which I found to be entirely unrealistic and not very useful.

Once we got to Java, I became completely overwhelmed. I tried to digest all of the information from each PowerPoint presentation, but I could not seem to translate that information into actual code. Once someone showed me how to do it, I could understand most of it, but I don't think there was a single Java lab that I did on my own. I was now realizing that computer science would probably never be one of my strong subjects.

I was relieved when I was in the half of the class that switched to Python. Even though it was like Java, it didn't require nearly as much code and formatting. It was a lot easier for me to understand Python, although I still needed help sometimes. I like Python a lot better than Java because different methods are more similar to each other than in Java and everything in Python is color coded, which is extremely helpful to me.

After Python, we switched to AppInventor, by Google. I really like this program because it shows how computer science is directly applicable to the real world. Even though AppInventor labs do not involve us directly writing out the code, we still have to figure out how it works and which blocks to use with the help of the PDF. It was really fun to get all of the different apps working because I felt like the gap between the smart phone app inventors and me was becoming a little smaller.

Overall, pretty much the only thing I wish had been different about the class is the pace of it. The first few programs we used before Java were easy enough to follow and do labs in, but once we got to Java, I feel like the class moved too quickly for me to be able to understand everything. I'm generally a fast learner, so this was unusual for me and it made me feel uneasy. For next year, I think it would be helpful if the students had more than just PowerPoint presentations to learn from. Maybe a more general lecture on the whiteboard would be beneficial. All I know is that I learn better from writing things down according to what the teacher says than from just reading tons and tons of text.

I'm glad I took computer science this year because I knew almost nothing about the subject beforehand. As a student at a school that highly values knowledge of technology, I felt a little left out of all the groups like robotics, Sci-O, etc. Although I now know that I wouldn't really like being in any of these groups because the material is difficult, I'm still glad that I was exposed to the science behind all the technology I use everyday. It was definitely a great learning experience and maybe I'll try learning more about it in college.

week of 5/9/2011

I missed classes this week because of AP tests so I had to catch up on the MakeQuiz/TakeQuiz and Amazon Bookstore apps. I was a little worried about missing class because sometimes I have trouble with the apps and need extra help. But I had to take my English and Spanish AP tests, so I suppose it's worth it. Now that I have the apps done, I realized that I didn't need much help after all, and I'm relieved that I finished them with extra time to work on my new app.

Here's a short article from NPR that doesn't surprise me at all:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/05/23/136574430/rapture-prophet-harold-camping-says-he-had-a-really-tough-weekend?ft=1&f=1001

I heard on the radio this morning that people went so crazy about the "rapture" that they quit their jobs and made their kids drop out of high school so that they could "find shelter" and "clutch the Holy Bible".

What a bunch of nonsense!!!!!

Week of May 2nd

We did more app inventor this week, specifically the xylophone and presidents quiz. The xylophone one went smoothly for me. I finished it pretty quickly without any problems. The presidents quiz one was harder because whenever I entered an answer in on the android keyboard, it added an extra space. This meant that app my answers were always incorrect. Once Mr. Stephens figured this out, I was able to get the app to run smoothly.


This article is funny: http://mobile.theonion.com/articles/parental-drinking-supervision-doesnt-work,20363/?mobile=true

But I'm never going to drink. Not ever.

Week of April 18

I really like all of the app inventor labs we've been doing. They're a lot easier than Python because the PDF tells me all the steps I need to know. It's still frustrating at times, though. In the lady bug chase lab, I had to figure out how to change the speed and position of the ladybug, which was difficult for me. But then Jaron helped me andi was able to figure it out.

I really line the website www.stumbleupon.com. You can set the preferences so it brings up random cool sites that you'll like. The other day it brought up a picture of an 88-pound rabbit.

week of April 11th, 2011

Last week, we did a bunch of AppInventor stuff. I like these labs (if you can call them that) because they are easy to do but if you aren't careful, they won't work. I like watching how they're made and then seeing the result because it makes me feel like a super amateur computer programmer (HA - like that will ever happen). AppInventor is a nice break from Python because it isn't as hard mentally, but it still challenging to make sure I have all the parts.

Scientists are coming up with a new bug repellent:

http://www.npr.org/2011/04/18/135468567/repelling-bugs-with-the-essence-of-grapefruit?ft=1&f=1001

If that actually works, it will be really cool. I have to use bug spray a lot but I hate how it smells because of all the chemicals in it. The natural bug spray would probably be a lot better for the skin as well.

week of march 28st, 2011

Python labs are getting more and more difficult for me to focus on. I think this is because they are boring to me and I get frustrated easily when I can't find solutions to them. At least I'm getting better at worksheets, though. Jaron helps me understand those so that I can turn them in complete.

Yesterday, I went to the orange and white scrimmage at DKR stadium. It was fun because it almost felt like a real game because the band was playing and everything. Everyone was really excited to see how the horns are going to play this year.

week of March 21st, 2011

We still did more Python labs this week. It's still the same as usual; whenever I get stuck, I ask Jaron or Rosie for help. I'm hoping that we'll finish with Python soon so that we can do something else, because I'm getting kind of sick of it...it's not that big of a deal, but I'd rather start something new now.

Here is a really cute video:

http://www.wimp.com/kittentortoise/


makes me want a tortoise for my cats.