Mid Quarter Report #1

Mid Quarter Report #1

Describe your learning in this course so far.

So far in this course, I have learned a lot. I started off in August with absolutely no knowledge about code.  I didn’t even know what an if-statement was, but now here I am and I have learned so much in these 3 weeks. Those videos by Michael Kolling on the Joy of Code are very effective and although he teaches slowly, he teaches well. I haven’t had one single problem by learning with Michael Kolling, and I definitely hope to finish all of his videos before the end of the first semester. I think that the code that I have learned so far is not so complicated, but it is still new for me, and I think that I understand it pretty well.

Give a summary description of what you have learned in this course so far.

In this course so far, I learned the very basics of java coding. I learned how to use an application called Greenfoot, which helps beginning coders to learn and to create small games and other things. I learned through videos on YouTube how to start coding. It was very basic things, such as how to insert an object into a world and make it do something, even as simple as just moving around. After that, I made more interesting things like controlling the character, inserting an enemy into the world and hope to achieve much more than this. I learned the basics of coding, like if-statements, how to lay out code, and organizing, add notes to it, and in general, just simply how to write code.

Typically this student makes effective use of class time by increasing his competence and confidence using software that he has chosen.

Does this statement describe your performance exactly?

Yes, it does.

Give one piece of evidence to support this.

I have reached the 13^th video on Michael Kolling’s Joy of Code. Proof that I work a lot during class is my blog posts: I have plenty to write every time, and I do write a lot every blog post that I do. It reflects on how much I have worked in class and how I solve my problems or how I have worked on Greenfoot that day.

She attends all class sessions, coming and leaving on time, making sure to make up missing time by working during free periods or at home.

Does this statement describe your performance exactly?

Yes, it does.

Give one piece of evidence to support this.

One piece of evidence that proves this correct is the attendance list that you keep. If you look at it, you will see that not once have I arrived tardy to class or have missed a class.

His oral communication during class is focused on the learning tasks that he is engaged in.

Does this statement describe your performance exactly?

Yes, it does.

Give one piece of evidence to support this.

If you ask either Tommy or Yeomin what I talk about in the class, both of them will tell you that the only time I talk to them is when I need help with Greenfoot or I am asking them a question.

His written communication (blogs, e-mails, and reports) are done according to deadlines and contain enough information for the teacher to understand what he is doing, what kinds of problems he is facing and how he feels about his learning experiences.

Does this statement describe your performance exactly?

No, it does not. It almost describes it perfectly.

Give one piece of evidence to support this.

If you look at my blog posts, they are mostly all on time. They are all written on the day of the class, except for only a few of them. All of my blogs are very thorough.

If the statement does not describe you exactly rewrite the statement so that it does.

His written communication (blogs, e-mails, and reports) are almost always done according to deadlines and contain enough information for the teacher to understand what he is doing, what kinds of problems he is facing and how he feels about his learning experiences.

How can you improve your performance in this area?

I should write all of my blogs the day that I did the class. I should treat it as something that I have to do right after, and this is what I have started doing: I always leave a tab with my blog open on the days with computer applications so that when I get home and look at my computer, I see that tab open and it reminds me that I should write a blog.

During class he/she remains focused on the task at hand and generally respects the integrity of the learning environment for all students.

Does this statement describe your performance exactly?

Yes, it does.

Give one piece of evidence to support this.

If you look at the cameras that you have placed to see us work you will see that my screen is always either on a video or on Greenfoot, or on something else that is related to what I am doing. You have seen me work and I think that you know that I don’t disrupt the class in any way.

He/she has positive attitudes towards acquiring technology skills, and makes a conscious effort to acquire new skills and apply them in meaningful ways.

Does this statement describe your performance exactly?

Yes, it does.

Give one piece of evidence to support this.

In my blog posts, whenever I have new ideas I mention them and I set them as my goals to achieve using Greenfoot.

He/she is an independent learner, who tries to solve problems by himself/herself, but finds effective ways to overcome problems using a variety of other resources.

Does this statement describe your performance exactly?

Yes, it does.

Give one piece of evidence to support this.

When I had that one major problem with Greenfoot about 2 classes ago, I spent a long time (almost a whole class) trying to search myself for the solution. I then called for Tommy to try and help me, and finally since I couldn’t find someone to help me, I called Mr. Daly, who helped me resolve it because he has a lot of experience.

He/she is respectful of all members of this learning community and his/her behavior is in compliance with all school policies, in particular the RUP (Responsible Use Policy) and Academic Honesty Policy.

Does this statement describe your performance exactly?

Yes, it does.

Give one piece of evidence to support this.

If you were to ask any of my peers, they would tell you that I respect everyone in the classroom and most definitely do not copy someone else’s work. The only time I look at someone else’s work is when I need help. If you looked at the cameras, you would see that I am using my computer responsibly.

This is an appropriate course for this student and the performance of the student is such that it can be said that the student is meeting the standards well. His work, on the whole, is good.

Does this statement describe your performance exactly?

Yes, it does.

Give one piece of evidence to support this.

This class is appropriate for me since I came into it knowing nothing, and the point of this class if for everyone to improve on and learn about what they are working on. As my code shows, I am working well, and also my blog posts would show this too.

She is making good progress with her chosen module. She is learning new techniques each class and building on her previous knowledge.

Does this statement describe your performance exactly?

Yes, it does.

Give one piece of evidence to support this.

To prove that statement above correct, all you would have to do is look at my blog posts. I always explain exactly what I do and what I learn during the class and specifically what videos I have watched. If you read all of them , you will notice that I have made a lot of progress and have acquired many new skills.

What grade-in-progress do think accurately describes your overall performance in the course so far?

A-Outstanding

Does the structure of this class suite your learning style? What could be done differently?

I think that this style of learning is great for this kind of learning. I don’t feel pressured to do anything and if I feel that one class, I have to spend it working on cleaning my code or something of the sort, I know that I can do it and I will not fall behind, because there is not a general course curriculum that everybody has to follow. One thing that could be done differently is that we should more often take 10 minute or so breaks and talk to other people about what we are doing and what problems we have encountered in doing this.

Do you feel that you understand how assessments are made in this course? Do you have any questions or comments at this stage?

Yes. I think I do understand. I get graded based on how I work. Even though there is not an exact curriculum, Mr. Daly is capable of telling how much I work. If I get nothing done in the first 2 months, then I will probably get a D. However, by working constantly throughout the semester, writing good blogs, communicating with the teacher and even working out of the classroom- that is how you get a high assessment. I have no comments about this for the moment.