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.