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.

week of Feb. 28th

Last week, we did the string labs. These weren't very hard for me because I'm getting better at doing the Python labs by myself. Whenever I have problems, I ask Jaron to help me, but lately I've been able to finish the labs pretty quickly. I think this shows that I've gained a better understanding of Python. I'm really glad I switched from Java to Python because Python is much easier for me and i understand it way more than I ever understood Python.

I found this on NPR.org:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/03/08/134357458/chilling-video-newly-released-view-of-world-trade-center-on-9-11?ft=1&f=1001

Pretty scary stuff.

week. of 2/21

I got a lot done in terms of Python labs last week. I stayed all caught up every day and I was able to finish all the lab assignments. I was proud of myself for finishing them because Jaron wasn't always there to help me with them. I got through them mostly on my own and asked Mr. Stephens questions when I needed help. I was glad that I was able to do most of it on my own. I think this shows that I'm getting better at solving problems by myself and figuring out how to write code for the labs.

I think this story from NPR is really interesting:

It's amazing that the man lived to be 110 years old. Hopefully he got a lot out of life after the war was over.

week of 2/7

Last week, Jaron, Rosie and I worked on chapter 4. We used trial and error to get through most of it, and it worked pretty well. We got stuck on the last few problems, though, because they involve making intricate shapes and we couldn't really figure out how to do it. Hopefully we can finish that today and get started on chapter 5, which has six labs associated with it.

The GOP, mentioned in this article:

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133742630/obama-unveils-3-7-trillion-budget-for-2012

makes me angry.

JUST RAISE TAXES ALREADY.

week of 1/31

We worked on Python all last week. It can be very frustrating at times, but Jaron and I have been working together to solve the problems. We'll each figure out an element of some code and eventually we'll figure it out and get it to work. This is a good way to get our work done because we can ask each other for help and if we're stuck, we can both try different things to see if we can get the right answer. I still like Python a lot more than Java because the syntax is much less complicated and it makes a lot more sense to me (even though I still have a lot of trouble sometimes...).

I really like this news story from NPR:

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/08/133505880/at-end-of-the-line-prison-an-unlikely-escape

I think it is proof that people can actually have the willpower to fix their own problems.

Week of 1/24

Last week, we had the option of continuing with Java or starting with Python. I chose to start on Python because it is much easier for me to understand and to execute methods. Instead of complicated syntax and random abbreviations for different words, it uses the words themselves (for example, the only word needed to print a line is "print"). I like Python a lot better even though I had to simplify the syntax that I had previously learned with Java.

These are the results of the Screen Actors' Guild Awards last night:

http://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/17th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards

I was really happy with most of the winners. I'd actually seen four of the fives films in which the casts got nominated for awards, so it was neat to see the results last night.

week of January 18th

Last week, Laryssa helped me with the string labs and I got to understanding them a lot better. Java was really hard for me at first because I didn't understand how the syntax worked, but after I got people to help me, I got a lot better at it. It's still really confusing but hopefully it will get better in the future.

This weekend I found a cool Chrome extension called Minimalist Gmail. Here's the link:
https://chrome.google.com/extensions/detail/npppajnlimcafecjepdjcijnoamopngp

It's an easy way to get rid of all the junk buttons that come with Gmail, like the ones at the top that I don't use often and even the ads that run across the top of the screen.

week of January 10th

Last week's labs were very confusing for me until the end of the week. I didn't really understand how to format the labs to solve equations given input numbers. At the end of the week, however, I watched Jaron writing code and I figured out how to do it. We worked together to finish three labs on Friday and by the end of the class period, I understood the concepts.

This is a cool iPhone app I saw on Engadget:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/19/megareader-brings-true-multitasking-to-the-iphone-lets-you-walk/

It does seem a little gimmicky to be able to read and walk "safely", but I think it might actually be pretty useful to college students who have some of their texts on their iPhones and need to read while on the go.

week of January third

I was pretty confused last week... as we go further and further into Java, everything starts to become a huge jumble of nonsense in my brain. I recognize that this is probably not a good thing, but I am able to reassure myself that it's somewhat alright since I'm not planning on going into any career that involves knowing computer science. I'm awfully glad that we're graded mostly on effort, because I do try to understand... it just goes in one ear and out the other (or completely over my head, your choice). Hopefully things will get a little easier if I keep trying to do the labs.

My winter break was pretty cool. I've been working at Toys R Us since late November, so I worked a lot during December. Some of the shopping days before Christmas were a busy nightmare, but I got paid, so it's okay. I also got to eat a lot of holiday food, which was nice. My parents both cooked a lot more since my sisters and I were out of school. I'm kind of glad that we didn't go out of town, because I was able to work more and it's always hectic when we have to pack and go to the airport, etc.