3 Hours Later...

I had to go back and look to see when I posted my last entry -- I can't believe I've been at it for three more hours (I thought I would quit when I wrote that post).

I continued on with JavaScript; propelled by the promise of soon creating a "Choose Your Adventure" task.  I enjoyed those books growing up and I thought it sounded interesting.  So, I made one! Using JavaScript! Very simple and basic but it was a nice accomplishment to have something to play around with and share.  Then I continued learning, again, with the shimmering finale goal of creating a game of "Rock, Paper, Scissors" but I am absolutely stuck in a section (about "functions").  And I went back to review some earlier concepts only to realize I didn't remember those either!

So I figured I'm done. Completely done for the day. I'll review tomorrow and see if I can have the mental capacity to break through the demonic functions, specifically the return function.

<They don't use these in JavaScript>

Python and JavaScript

So, I've begun exploring into different programming languages.  Not enough to learn quite yet, but to see what the difference is.  I'm far enough in to see that yes, there are major differences yet some basic, fundamental similarities.  After doing hours of research about 'where to start first' I've heard both Python and JavaScript are good choices.

However,  I definitely believe that Codecademy's JavaScript is much more clear and so I think I'll move forward with that instead of Python, which was more confusing.

The worst thing about Codecademy (and maybe all online learning sites?) is that you are learning one topic after another and not learning yet how to use it.  I know I'm just in the beginning stages, but without taking notes it is difficult to remember what does what, and how exactly the code should be written out.  Of course, I could take notes but am still in the phase of trial and error and determining which code is best. I feel that I am slowly determining exactly how I want to set up my course and what to teach.

On top of this, I am looking into taking a community college course.  The decision is between taking a Web Development class and a Programming Fundamentals class (which is based on C++).  I believe Programming Fundamentals is more what the school expects me to teach but I think I'm more interested in Web Development.  Or maybe I'll take both! (doubtful) But they are online and I think I could handle both of them.

<Let the planning continue!>

Language Barriers

October has been busy and I haven't had much time to utilize Codecademy.

However, I have been asked by my school to develop a Course Description, and it is due in a week.  This is a little bit difficult since I am still determining what exactly to include, let alone what the program is, but here is what I have so far:

Intro to Programming - This class will begin with the basics of website development (HTML5, CSS & JavaScript) and will incorporate other programming languages based on student interest or school needs.  The main objective is to learn how to program and how to reason like a programmer.  Mastering fundamental concepts will make it easier to experiment with other languages as the need arises.

I pretty much borrowed the last two lines from a website; I liked the way it explained the choice to call it "Intro to Programming."  I thought about making it "Intro to Web Development" but then realized that if I do incorporate more of the computer-based programs (C++, Python (?)) I would have to make a whole new course.  But then again, I have NO idea how to use those programs -- it would require me taking a course at a community college.  But, it's a possibility.  This course title keeps it open and vague (and is supported by the Principal).

Certainly, being vague is a benefit of the private education world!

<Let's get students enrolled!>

My Introduction to Coding

My adventures with coding started with the desire to teach something a little bit different during my summer school course titled “Technology & Digital Media.” I am not even sure how that decision was made (it was my decision) or how I learned the basics (I made an entire PowerPoint over it) but it was started and I was interested. I was teaching <b>, <i>, <p>, and <h1>thru<h7> like a BOSS and not knowing that this was, in fact, just HTML basic.  (Side note: I now know about <strong> and <em> and I’m not sure if it’s much of an improvement but I’m sure there’s a reason for it).

The first time I taught it I was confused, they were confused and it was sort of a mess. But, the interest level was there – for both the students and me. 

 By my second summer I had figured a few things out and taught it more clearly.  The students were excited by seeing what their results were.  We were using Notepad and then saving it as an html so they could see it as if it was a website. Pretty cool.  I’m not sure the students saw the value of it yet, as I certainly wasn’t worried about explaining that.  I should also mention it was at the very end of the summer course and I think we all were just ready to finish the class.

Fast forward to this semester.  I have been asked to create an Intro to Programming class and am actually pretty excited about it.  I know basic HTML after all – I could totally teach a class!  So, with the first few weeks of school under wraps I had some time to start investigating.

I began by researching “how to teach high school students how to code.” I was expecting a quick result list of other people who taught programming and maybe even a class webpage or syllabus. 

What I got instead were a selection of websites that all touted themselves as the BEST way to learn how to code! There was CodeHS, Codecademy, KhanAcademy, Scratch, CodeAvengers, Code School, and I’m sure more that I’m quite unaware of.  Everyone wants people to learn how to code! Everyone has built a wonderful website to make this happen.

                            
                          

So I begin investigating the best of those websites. I start finding other people’s synopsis on what they think is best. But I read a lot about, “Well, it depends on what you want to learn.”  Meaning – do you want to learn how to do web programming or how to build programs themselves?

What???

After hours of researching I was only just beginning to realize how much more there is to research and learn.  My previous pride at knowing HTML equaled my embarrassment realizing my total ignorance.  At this moment, all sense of knowing what I was doing was thrown out the window and my previous “basic knowledge” is deemed beyond irrelevant.

So, a new research decision is formed.  What is the difference between the two types of programming? And – wait—there are HOW many different languages? Which one should I teach first????

I could see this getting wildly out of hand.

So, I start at the beginning. I decide on Codecademy (I like that I can get badges (!) and it keeps track of my progress (!!) and the Generation Y in me likes feeling validated for working hard.  It also makes me feel like a Sims character where they have their little improvement bars over their heads.  (My husband actually joked about that one and I realized he was totally right).

That I could only find images of male Sims on the computer emphasizes the lack of women in the CS industry.

One week has passed and I have officially gone through the HTML basic training with Codecademy.  I am now ready to move on to CSS but find I don’t have the desire to want to continue. I want to MAKE something.  I’ve read about this in regards to teaching high schoolers and now am realizing why someone would feel that way.

So, my next move is to skip ahead to a tutorial to actually create something – maybe an iOS app creator? I’ll have to look into it. Always something to learn!

So, today— a wide-open, thunder-filled Saturday— I plan on learning more about coding and creating!

<The story continues!!!>