8/15/2008 - Welcome to Computer Programming!

Welcome to the first meeting of our computer programming class!

I'm sorry that I can't be with you today for our first (and only) 15 minute class. My father is in the hospital in Sacramento, and I am staying with him. But, I will be with you next week.

We will be doing a lot of fun things in our class. We will learn how pair programming works. We will work in programming teams for some projects, and by ourselves for others. We will program Karel the Robot as well as Motorola Razr cell phones -- all in a computer programming language called Java.

Your grade for the class will be a combination of programming projects, tests (some online), written homework, and analyses of computer technology topics in the news called the (Question of the Week). Each week you will have to post your thoughtful opinions and research about a Question of the Week in your blog. Occasionally, there will be written homework assignments. Here is how your quarter and semester grades will be calculated:

40% Computer programming projects
30% Question of the week analyses in your blog
20% Tests on computer programming concepts
10% Written homework assignments

We will learn how to program in the Java computer programming language in order to complete our computer programming projects. We will start with the traditional first program which every programmer writes called "Hello World!" For the Question of the Week, you must respond to a topic I choose each week in your blog. Your response is due on Friday of each week by 5:00 PM. Each Question of the Week blog must be at least 250 words long and will be worth 25 points maximum. We will talk more about grading your blogs next week. For tests, you will be able to use your notes. So, take good notes! We will always have a review day before a test.

All news and annoucements, summaries of programming concepts, and class decisions will be posted in our class blog. Our class blog is this one, located at ica-cp.blogspot.com. So, be sure to check the class blog at the beginning of each class.

First Assignment worth 10 points
For your first class and homework assignment, which is worth 10 points, you are to create a blog account at blogger.com, post your first blog entry, and mail the address to me. My email address is: dclingingsmith@icacademy.org. In your first blog entry, you could tell me what you think computer programming is like, post a good technology joke, or tell me about something in computer technology you find interesting (example, computer monitors sewn into your clothes that let you change the colors of your attire at http://blogs.zdnet.com/emergingtech/?p=547). This assignment is due on Tuesday, 8/19/08, by 5:00 PM. After reading this class blog entry, go to blogger.com and start the process of creating your account.

Even though I'm not there with you, I'm thinking about all of you! I'll see you next week!




Mrs. Clingingsmith