Term 3: Programming: Week 1

2018 is here!  We are all ready for a new term of Programming 1.  Last term was a great class that learned a lot and really challenged themselves to take in as much as they possibly could, and I'm sure this term will be no different.  This week we will be learning the topics and content we will be covering for the term.  We will also be discussing careers and topics in programming and computer science.  Once we research some information, we will present our findings to the class.  By the end of the week we should be ready to cover the design process that we will be using when we start creating our programs.  I'm excited to see everybody right at the start of term 3!

Loop techniques

We have been learning the Python computer language and students have mastered print statements, variables with assignment statements and user input, entering data with characters, ints, and floats, and much more!  We have most recently learned how to use if/else statements, and students are now working on some looping concepts.  We have learned how to use the for loop and the while loop.  Once we are finished with this, we will be learning how to create and define our own functions that we can call back to throughout our programs.  I am so impressed with this class and their willingness to take risks, challenge themselves, and demonstrate growth mind sets.  This has been a lot of fun! 

Finishing Robots!

NPHS students are finishing up with their robot programming.  We are learning to use the buzzers to program our robots to play music, then we will wrap up the section by creating a Pong video game and will program the robots to be used as motion controls for the game.  This class has been doing a great job, and I couldn't be more pleased with a group of students!  They are learning a lot and looking to be great programmers!

Computer Science and Development Cycle

Programming has gotten off to a great start!  Students researched and gave presentations about careers in computer science.  We then started learning concepts of programming.  We did some unplugged computer science activities and reviewed about binary code.  Next week, we will be learning about the ability to write directions, and the software development cycle that we will be using with our programs in school.  Once we finish this, we will start learning some basic programming with snap and the finch robots.  We will program our robots in a variety of ways this week.  This has been a great class, and they all have shown to have great creative ideas, and I'm very excited for this term for programming!

Game Design (week 8)

Next week we will be  working with fundamentals of game design.  Students will be using construct 2 to make games.  This will be a great way to take what we have learned this term and find ways to incorporate as much creativity as they can with their work.  Once we are finished with this section, students will create their final program which involves making a python application that will demonstrate every key concept we have used this term.

Game Design (Week 7)

Well, next week will be the moment everybody has been waiting for.  We will finish up our input/output to external files unit by creating a grade book that allows students to enter their assignments and grades, then will export the data to a printable sheet.  We will also take a look at how to use Python to send emails.  Once we are finished with this, we will get an introduction to game design and programming.  We will be using a free program called Construct 2 that will allow us to easily use what we have learned from coding structures and apply it to creating games.  We will look at image sprites and animations, game design, and show how we can put all of it together to make something we are happy with.  We will spend just under 2 weeks on this.  This class has been really working hard learning about Python, and this will be a nice change of pace for us by doing something a little more creative for a while.

Read/Write to External Files (Week 6)

We finished up with lists this week in programming.  The students worked really hard with a bioinformatics program that they wrote with Python.  It converts DNA to RNA, RNA to DNA, and calculates the base pairs for a partial strand of genetic information.  Next week we will finish up with dictionaries in Python.  We will then be ready to learn how to write Python programs that read and write to external files.

Lists, Tuples, & Dictionaries (Week 5)

Another great week of programming at NPHS.  Students have really been putting their learning to good practice this week when we introduced while loops and if statements.  We finished up the week by making some programs that included our old concepts to our new learning.  Next week we will be working with lists, tuples, and dictionaries, and utilizing them in our created programs as well as making new programs with them.  Just a reminder that students can always go to our online bulletin board for more resources.  There are also links to the class web page which can take you to some video tutorials I have put together for some of our projects we have been working on.  Last announcement is that students are still more than welcome to come in Wednesday mornings for help or enrichment work and any day after school!  Let's keep up the great work!!

while loops and if statements (week 4)

Students did a great job this week of learning to use input, output, strings, variables, and interactive inputs with Python.  We finished the week up by using these concepts to make a computer application that guesses a number.

Next week we will move on to while loops and if statements.  We will make some updates to our number-guessing game, and will also make a project price calculating application for a hardware store.  We will then go back to our number-guessing app and incorporate if statements to it.  I'm hopeful that by the end of the week we will learn about modules in the Python library that we can use for a dice rolling application.

The students have been fast learners and have really been doing a great job!

Robots and Python (Week 3)

Programming students have been doing a great job of learning basic operations and input/output techniques using the Finch robots and snap programming language.  We will finish up this unit early this week when students will create a pong video game and will program the finch bots to be motion controls for the game.

Once we are finished with this, students will then be moving on to the Python computer language.  We will start off comparing and contrasting Python to other well-known languages.  We will then start learning basic input and output techniques using Python.  I'm hopeful we will be able to get a quick program in before the end of the week with a number guessing app that we will be modifying throughout our next few lessons.

Students have really impressed me with all they have learned so far.  They have made robots avoid obstacles, programmed the robots to play music, coordinate movements from commands, follow light sources, and much more.  I'm excited to see what they can create moving forward!

finch bots (week 2)

Programming students have done a good job learning about the career fields of computer science and learning the development cycle we will be using in class.  Our development cycle includes the following steps.

1. Define the problem

2. Develop/Plan (Pseudocode)

3. Code

4. Test/Debug

5. Publish

Students also are becoming familiar with these terms as we use them during class time:

Organization, conventions, procedures, logic, loops, reference, documentation, input, output, errors, and versions.

The next projects we will be working on in class involve using the Finch robots from BirdBrain Technologies.  They have many programmable features and this will give students a chance to learn basic coding skills, and apply them to our development process.  Each day we will be working with the input and output options for the various sensors included with the Finch bot.  We started with the keyboard and made a system of controls to move the finch bot around.  Next week we will program it to avoid obstacles, display various lights, sounds, follow light, apply its motion sensors and more.

This has been a fun group of students to work with, and they are eager to learn all they can about computer programming.

Introduction to Programming/Computer Science (Week 1)

Welcome back from break!  I hope everybody had a chance to recharge their batteries, and are ready for a term full of learning in Programming 1 this term!  This first week we will become familiar with classroom rules and procedures, and will be doing some career exploration in the field of computer science.

Our learning targets for the first week are that students will define computer science and see how it fits in today's world.  And, students will explore career opportunities in the field of computer science.

Computer science is the study of principles and use of computers. This can include information
technology, digital media, graphic design, web publishing, programming and more. The class will be
divided into groups and will be assigned an area of study in computer science. They will find the
following information:
- The specific area of study.
- What does this area of study involve?
- What post high school education is needed to pursue this career field?
- 3 Schools that offer this program.
- What computer classes are offered in these schools?
- Where can people work with this degree?
- 3 Current job opportunities in this career field.
- How much do these jobs pay?

Once completed, students will organize the information into a presentation and will speak to the class of their findings.

Students will then type a 5-7 sentence reflection about which area they are most interested in, and why.

Getting familiar with the procedures we will be using with our computers, learning expectations, getting to know each other, and doing our research in career awareness will most likely take this first week of class to complete.  We will deliver our presentations on Thursday/Friday, so that the following week we can get started with an introduction to programming and the development process.