Computer III Programming-Week 6-Last week!

So, here is my final blog. Man, 6 weeks went by so fast! Well, really only 5, but as I said in my previous blog, I had to get the work for the last week done in the 5th week. But still, the time went by pretty darn fast! So, for this week, I really had to put my time management to the test to get all of the projects done. I had to do the video game, my portion of the proposal for the Facebook document, and the massive final project. So, when I first got the assignment, I found out that Luka and I would be partners and that the assignment had multiple parts to it. At first, I was overwhelmed by how much work it was. But, I soon got over it and got to work. For the first part, we each had to choose our dream job and make a job prospectus for it. My dream job would be to be a lead in a Broadway musical. The musical I chose to talk about was West Side Story (it's amazing and one of my favorites!). So, at first, I had no idea what a job prospectus was, so I Googled it and looked at templates and examples. Then, once I found out what a job prospectus really was, I got started on mine. At first, I didn't really know where to start. But then, I got out my West Side Story playbill and looked up aspects of the musical online, which helped me eventually get all the answers that I needed. After that, we had to make a résumé. That took a while because at first I had made it too long and had included some unnecessary information. So, I had to condense the size of it, but also make sure that I included everything that needed to be stated (which was a bit challenging). Afterwards, we had to make sample questions to prepare for interviewing each other for our dream jobs. We did so by using each other's résumés and job prospectuses. That took a little while because I tried to come up with thoughtful questions and a large amount of them so I wouldn't run out when I was interviewing Luka. When it was finally time to interview each other, I was nervous but interested in how interviews work since it would be beneficial to know in future. But then, as we did the interview, it turned out to be totally fine and that I had nothing to worry about. We did the interview over Skype and had to record it. It was just kind of difficult to find a recording device, but, we just ended up using GarageBand (which worked perfectly fine). This week, the work wasn't extremely hard, it was just very time-consuming. So, this week, I learned how to make a job prospectus, résumé, questions for an interview, and how to give an interview. I think what really prevented me from learning more was my time constraints. I did 3 projects in 6 days, which was a lot of hard work, but paid off in the end. Most of the things I tried worked well; nothing didn't really. I think over the course of the project, I changed by means of having knowledge of how to apply for jobs and how to be interviewed for them in the business world (and vice-versa-how to send out job prospectuses and give interviews-). I believe my thinking and learning changed by becoming better with time management. I know I've said this repeatedly, but time management was key this week for me to get everything done. I think over the weeks of this course, I learned more about programming than I ever thought I would. I really enjoyed taking this class and see you all at the end of August!

Computer III Programming-Week 5

So, this week was certainly an interesting one. I had to do my week 6 work along with my week 5 work because I am leaving on a trip at the end of this week. So, double the projects! But I'll discuss my week 6 work in my next blog. This week, I decided to start my work on Sunday (yes I was a dork) just so I could get it done earlier. First, I went and played Frogger because I honestly didn't remember it until I played it and was reminded of how addicting it is! Next, to get an idea of what Scratch was about, I looked "Scratch" up on Google and went to its main website where I watched tutorials and bookmarked "Help" screens. I then posted my findings on the Google discussion group. Afterwards, I plunged into making my game. At first I was kind of just throwing things together (an underwater background, a fish, squid, and sharks), but as time went on, I figured out things little by little. The "Help" screens definitely "helped" A LOT. They showed me how to use the "when green flag clicked button" to start off my game and the "when spacebar clicked (or any key really) button," which really helped with moving my fish around (up, down, left, and right). I then got my squid and sharks to move up and down to attempt at hitting the fish as it moved across the "ocean." I also used the tutorials to help me with this. And to figure the most of the rest of it out, I just played around with Scratch and tested different things out until I found what worked well; kind of like what I did with Alice. For example, I was able to figure out how to say things and make sounds (bubble noises and "you win" at the end of the game). The only thing that I had a really hard time figuring out was how to send the fish back to its starting position once it had been hit by a shark or a squid. I tried asking the group about it, but I didn't get a response so that didn't work out very well. I then tried looking it up on Google, but that was no help. Finally, after posing my question to the group for a second time and receiving no answer, I decided to re-read the Scratch help screen. I read every detail, and after countless times reviewing, I found my answer! I just put "when green flag clicked," "forever," "wait until ," and "go to x:-211 y:16 (the starting position of the fish)." This was definitely the hardest thing for me to figure out. I think what prevented me from learning more was myself. At first I thought that I didn't research deep enough, but the real answer was right in front of me! I even had the page BOOKMARKED! I just didn't read carefully enough. If I had done so, I definitely would have saved some time. Also, as I progressed in my project, I posted my discoveries on the discussion board. They were like my own mini-blogs! As for the project where the entire class had to propose an argument in favor of Facebook being used at Buckley, all I really did was look up some examples of why it should and why it shouldn't be used in schools. I got some good websites out of that and I posted a few on the discussion board. On the document itself, I posted possible reasons to use. Midway through the week, the group wasn't getting anywhere, but then, Shilpa stepped in and organized a plan to get the job done. So, I then picked my reason and wrote my paragraph. I think that I changed by becoming more knowledgeable about Scratch and Facebook. My work ethic and thinking changed by becoming more independent in my work. I found it very rewarding to learn something on my own; especially something that I was unfamiliar with and would have never thought that I would learn how to use (Scratch). In all, I thought that it was fun to make a video game and to propose an argument supporting Facebook.

Computer III Programming-Week 4

So, I guess I'm doing my blog a little bit earlier than I usually do; not my usual Sunday afternoon ritual, but oh well. Anyways, this week we did A TON of work with Alice. It was interesting, but also got very frustrating at times. I learned a lot about programming throughout the week. I mainly learned how to create a computer program by using codes, methods, functions, "worlds," etc. The way I started learning about this was by re-watching each tutorial because to be honest, I hadn't really remembered what to do exactly from watching them last week. After that, I thought I had a basic idea of how to use the program. Then, we were assigned the dragon and blimp project. At first, I thought I was able to figure it out. I placed the objects in the right places in the "world." Then, I figured out how to get the dragon to move towards the blimp. But then, I was not sure how to get the dragon to flap its wings and to go around the blimp. So, I tried looking on the internet for answers, but that really didn't help. Nothing was really giving me the help or information that I needed. So then, I checked the discussion boards and those helped me get going in the right direction. But I was still confused on getting the dragon to flap its wings without going in a complete circle and just looking odd (if that makes sense). So, I turned to my peers. I talked with some of my other classmates and we were able to figure it out. We all contributed ideas and eventually got the dragon to flap its wings and be able to go around the blimp! To make the dragon flap its wings, I used rightWingClose/leftWingClose, the roll method, and switching it off going left and right. To get the dragon to go around the blimp while flapping its wings, I repeated what I did for the wing-flapping, and then using the method for the dragon to turn right. And I just repeated this multiple times. So, this is how I worked on the dragon project. Later on, we were assigned the kangaroo project, which was very confusing. Again, I at first placed the objects in the "world." By using functions like distance to/above and methods like turn to face, I was able to get the kangaroo to jump onto the crate. However, its feet didn't move and I couldn't move the crate or the kangaroo to any place and still get the same effect. So again, I turned to the internet to try and find answers. But again, sadly, that didn't help at all. So, I checked the discussion board, and that really helped. Most of the answers to my questions were already answered, and I already had the basics down on my own project, so it wasn't that difficult to incorporate what was on the discussions into my program. Also, I talked to some of my classmates, and they helped, too. So, with the help of my classmates really, I was able to figure out how to do the project. The only problem I had was trying to get the kangaroo to land on the center of the crate rather than the edge, but otherwise, the rest of it was fine. Along with the two Alice projects, we had a few discussions. One was shortcuts for computers. I mainly got my research for that by just looking up sites on Google and getting a bunch of different ones. Also, I knew some of them from just using them regularly. I found the other discussion, the "Did you know?" one, very interesting. I found out so much different information that I had no previous knowledge of. I was not surprised by some information such as how MySpace would be the 8th largest country in the world. I then asked, "How large would the Facebook country be?" But then, I answered my own question....by researching Facebook and U.S. statistics on Google. So, in conclusion, this week I learned how to really program by using Alice. I think what really prevented me from learning more was my lack of knowledge about Alice. I really had to keep checking back to the discussion boards and communicate with my peers about "how to get a dragon's wings to flap" or "where to find a kangaroo's foot." But by the end, I have more knowledge about Alice than I ever thought I would have by working on my own and by using communication and coordination with my classmates. I think that my thinking changed by as I said before, becoming more knowledgeable about Alice and programming in general. Also, my way of thinking changed by now communicating with my peers more. It also changed because now I think that just trying new things and experimenting can work, too. Alright well, onto another week!

Computer III Programming-Week 3

So, for this week, our main task was to create a song on Finale Notepad. But before working on this, I did a little work with Alice. I learned how to use this program by just watching/doing the tutorial and then just clicking on different options for the skater to do once it was finished (skate backwards, spin, etc.) Once I finished this, I began the main project for the week. At first, I was confused on whether or not we had to purchase it, but I eventually just ended up downloading the demo (free trial that lasts 30 days) after reading the discussion. Then, I tried making the song-that certainly was difficult. I have experience in music from taking piano lessons and being in choir, but I still struggled with this project. I had never used this program before so everything was new in a way. I tried to figure it out by just clicking different things. I at first must have clicked the button that closed the playback bar, so that messed me up. So, I just kept pressing the space bar (the play button), but that didn't help at all. So then, I went looked at all the bars at the top (File, Windows, etc.) and I clicked on Windows. Then, it said "playback controls" as an option so it brought the playback bar back up. So, that's how I figured out how to get the playback bar back. The way I figured out how to make a song was by watching tutorials, looking through my old music books (to possibly get inspiration for a song), and by trial and error. It took me quite a few days to write a song because my first few were all just terrible. It was just hard for me because I had no idea how to write music before. I had written lyrics before, but not "music." So, I just figured out how to make one by getting more and more experience. The tutorials kind of helped, but not really. Neither did looking through my old piano books. So, I just tried testing out different instruments until I found some that went well together. I eventually ended up using the acoustic grand piano, the cello, the flute, and the tubular bells. The way I figured out how to put notes together was basically, by accident. I meant to place the note next to another one, and I must have messed up my fingering and put it right below it. But, that's how I figured out how to place notes together and that definitely helped out with the rest of my song. I think that my thinking really changed over the course of this project in the way of "how" to do something. It's always "textbook" for me, and this project definitely wasn't. It was certainly more "figure it out yourself." So, now I've definitely become more open to having more ways of learning. I think that I changed by now being able to write music! As I said before, I had only previously written lyrics, and now I can write a composition! As previously said, all I did to learn this really was by trial and error. I just kept messing around with different notes, different instruments, and going over all the buttons just to see what options I could use. Overall, I thought this project was fun and I definitely learned something new-how to write music! Happy Fourth of July!

Computer III Programming-Week 2

So, the second week is over, and it has definitely gone by pretty fast! This week, I learned a lot about computers, especially Macbook Pros from our assignment to find the perfect computer for our 11-year-old daughter. I learned more about what's actually in a computer (RAM, hard drive, Operating System, etc.) and specifically, what's in my own! It took me a while to get all the research I needed for this project such as countless researching on the Apple website, looking up words in the dictionary that I didn't understand, and then finding other computers and hardware in other computers than my choice to compare to. Although it was a lot of work, I was able to learn more about what to look for in a computer. I also had a sudden realization this week: that I have to be more active in discussion boards. At first, I was really excited to start commenting and I did so a lot. Then, at the beginning of this week, I had started making my comments early in the day and then, by the time I checked back, there had already been entire conversations written that were basically over and I didn't know how to respond. I was also, yes I do admit it, intimidated by the discussion boards and all the comments and conversations taking place. So, I just stopped commenting, and that wasn't good. So, then, I got a sudden "wake-up-call" and decided that I definitely needed to comment more. So, I got my act together, and tried to comment as much as I could since Thursday and feel that I have been more active in discussions ever since. So, another thing that I learned was not to be afraid of the discussion boards and to just comment as much as I can. In the discussion boards this week, we discussed what programming is and what the programmer does at Buckley, servers, what's better?:Windows/Macs (which helped a lot with my essay), Republicans/Democrats, music from today/classic music, etc. These discussions helped me learn more about my fellow classmates and about the specific topics discussed (servers, programming, etc.) This week has taught me more about not only computers, but myself. It taught me how to be more confident in discussions and to just speak my mind. It also taught me informative stuff about computers such as the inner parts of them, what makes a good one, what software is better than others, etc. In conclusion, I learned a lot this week and am very anxious to see what we learn about Alice next week!

Computer III Programming-Week 1

Just five years ago, I didn't really know that much about the Internet. I had no idea about ichat or Facebook, let alone Skype or Google groups. A little while ago, I got a new computer and learned how to use the Internet for social means such as the websites listed above (Facebook, ichat). However, I had no idea about the inner workings/parts of the computer, the typical programs used, or how they really worked. That changed last year when I took Computer II as one of my electives and learned all about these specific topics. However, in all my years of taking computer classes, I hadn't learned anything about programming. I still do not know that much about it, but I am anxious to learn more about this subject in the upcoming weeks of this course. This week, I gained information on how to expand my creativity on the Internet. I found out how to create a blog (on this website), which I had always wanted to do but just didn't know how to do previously. Another thing I learned how to do was make my own Google account. I like that you are able to customize it, make Google searches more specific, and have more access to Google products/services. I also learned how to make cool and entertaining videos online by using Animoto for my intro project. I was able to use my own pictures and pick the design and music to go along with the video. What was surprising to me was how easy it was to gain access to and use these websites. I thought they would cost a lot of money or they would be confusing and tricky. However, both websites were free and went through simple step-by-step processes on how to use them. I also enjoyed commenting on the discussion boards. I thought that they would be awkward at first, but then I realized after a little while that they were just like typical conversations we would have if we were in a classroom. I also like the topics that we talked about such as the Celtics/Lakers debate (GO LAKERS!!!) and the Best/Worst Teachers discussion. I also liked the conversation about downloading/uploading/sharing music being illegal or not. I thought it was interesting to read the sources people brought about to support their opinions. I also like being able to see the preferences/opinions/thoughts that people have on particular subjects, especially in the Lakers/Celtics discussion. Another thing that happened this week was that I became just a little bit more "tech-savvy." I've learned new terms like RSS and wiki, which I had heard before, but had no idea what they meant. The main reason why I decided to take this class was to prevent myself from lying around in my pajamas doing nothing all day. I can still lie around in my pajamas, but I can actually do something productive at the same time. I really like the fact that we can take this course online. This way, we can still maintain our summer schedules and get work done at the same time! So far, I have enjoyed partaking in this class, and I am anxious to learn more about programming and online resources!