Reflections on Semester

When the semester started I was under the impression that this class would be super duper really easy. When it wasn't super duper easy, I was really surprised and somewhat terrified and intimidated by what I had unknowingly gotten myself into. Still, I resolved to carry on despite adversity, no matter what it took. At this point, I am still somewhat doubtful of my qualifications to be in the AP class, but at the same time I am enjoying my time and I am certainly learning a lot. In fact, this has probably been my most informative class this year, both teaching me a lot about computer programming as well as teaching me how to deal with subjects I find difficult to understand. Its also given me enormous respect for programmers and video game designers, considering my difficulty just getting jGRASP to remove letters from a word.

I think the class is taught well, and while I like the independence to work on my own, I sometimes think the level of freedom I am given isn't in my best interest. I'm really not as productive as I should be in this group setting, what with all the distractions and lack of hard deadlines and all. Still, that said, I think that's more of a personal failing on my part than anything wrong with the class. It fits into a nice capitalist perspective though, the people who work the hardest succeed and those that don't fall behind. Which is fair and good, so I shouldn't really complain. I understand the completion grade system for everything, and I don't see any good alternative to it (labs either run or they don't, there isn't middle ground), but the black and white grading is a little unfamiliar to me. I'm not saying its bad, I think it is good and effective (it certainly doesn't tolerate mediocrity or half-assery), but it takes getting used to.

At the beginning of the year we took the quizzes on paper which I think I liked better than taking them on the internet. I know its probably easier not to make all the copies (it also saves trees), but I just like the feeling of having the physical paper in my hand and being able to write on the paper and mark up the problems like I can on worksheets. That's just personal preference though and taking them on the internet isn't that much worse or anything.

Computer Science is an odd subject I think, mostly because it is very different from English, pretty different from Math, not much like Biology or Chemistry, and nothing like Latin or Spanish. Computer Science is more like problem solving than composing with words, executing a formula, memorizing molecules or conjugating verbs. Mr. Pace told me that Sci Tech would change my life because it would make me solve problems and think like an engineer. I told him he was wrong, and by the end of the semester, I turned out to be right. Sci Tech didn't enlighten me or make me better at solving problems at all. Computer Science on the other hand has definitely forced me to think outside what I have been taught and actually apply my knowledge and ingenuity to a problem I don't know how to solve.

I really hope to do a lot better next semester. Even though my mid B's in the class are fine grades, especially for a class that I am struggling with (even though I shouldn't be), I think its largely to your benevolence with making work up and leniency on free response. Because I know it will get harder next semester and I don't plan on being absent, I fear my grades will slip. Then again, I will have a better grip on the material having been in the class for a semester, so we will see how it works out.

I have definitely enjoyed the class though and I hope I will enjoy it as much next semester. I think you are a really chill teacher and I'm glad I'm learning from you. I am also glad I am learning, because even if the class was really easy and I made a 100, it wouldn't prepare me for the AP or really teach me anything. I have certainly learned a lot about a field I basically knew nothing about going in, which is something I am really happy about. Thanks.