15 - 18 December 2014

   For the past week, I have been learning JavaScript on Codecademy, as well as writing the beginnings of the html needed to create my Etch-A-Sketch webpage.

   

In JavaScript, I have been learning objects, arrays and functions. I already know all the concepts and how everything works because I have learned C, C#, and Swift, which are very similar. The syntax is what I am learning, and so far it is pretty much the same, but there are some important differences. I was quite frustrated with this lesson. The code did exactly what I expected it to do but I was not sure what the instructions wanted. I figured it out eventually, though. It was asking me to print the numbers 1-20, and I was printing 0-20!

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The goal for my Etch-A-Sketch website is to make something that is fun to play with and easy to use. Above is how much of the webpage I have done and what I have written. I am going to create my webpage at www.sant-anna.com/lucas/etch-a-sketch.html. Sant-anna.com is the family website, and I am going to make a subdirectory, lucas, where I can create all of my own webpages and programs. Below is the website.

This week I have been learning Java Script from Code Cademy. Java Script is a very useful, because of all the things you can code with it like apps, and web sights. Some of the commands are confusing, but i'm glad a picked Java Script because most commands are quite simple, and use english. I have decided to make a magic 8 ball app using the skills I learned. Today I will probably finish one of the courses of Java Script.

I have been learning how to make a game in Java Script. In order to make our group's app, I will need to know how to reliably write Java. It opens up countless possibilities for game development and player interaction. Here  is a program that I wrote to confirm a player's age before they begin the game. This could be useful to make sure that younger players don't have access to games meant for older players.

Zack Marks- 12/18/14

Recently, I have been working on the code language Ruby. Last year I worked a lot on JavaScript, and Ruby has many minor changes that have stumped me and others trying Ruby. For example, in JavaScript you wouldn't have to put a space between almost anything and you would need parenthesis in everything, and in Ruby, you have lots of spaces, and barely any parenthesis.
User interaction in JavaScript- prompt("Would you like to read more?")
User interaction in Ruby- print "Would you like to read more."
Little differences like that keep on confusing me, and are the main reason that it takes so much time. As stated earlier, I have learned (a bit) how to learn Ruby. I am confused mainly about how to do loops in Ruby, because they don't give the greatest examples.
for my project, I am working with Brendan and Chris. We are thinking about making a code to make a fake ID. I think that making the questions (like name or date of birth), but the rest will be hard.

sorry I forgot to post the picture of myrobocompanion

This week i have started to explore code in ruby, and I am starting to learn about loops. I have already used Java Script, and I have also tried python before. Ruby seemed easy at first but when I started to learn about loops it got more challenging. Zack, Chris and I are creating a create your own id app.

 

I have been working on Python with my group it is hard also i made a wooden dog about 2 feet long it took me 3 hours it was fun

I have been working learning how to use Java script, and I am making good headway. I have also been talking about what kind of app to make with my group. We are still working on what kind of app to make. I have learned how to find length of words using Java Script. We hope by friday we will have decided on our vision for our app.

This is the beginning of my iphone 5c myrobocompanion that’s what I’m calling It. I am actually hoping to sell it to a company. I’m also going to be working on an interactive iphone app.  This is the first childish toy I've ever made!  Keep up with the rest of the construction.

When I’m done I’m going to post a video on how it works. :-)   

I’ve actually taken a break on myrobocompanion and I am learning code.  When I’m done with my game I will post a link and you can play it.  Also I’m looking for a suitable code language and I used to do java, but I am not sure that that is the best for a game.

Hour of Code and Making

This week students from JK to 8th grade participated in the world wide "Hour of Code." In Calling All Makers, the students participated as well. Some of the more experienced helped those less experienced figure out a platform that would help them develop an app for the App Fair in February. Others just picked up where they left off learning Javascript or Python. All students had fun discovering what they could tell the computer to do and then see it do it!

I had my own Hour of Code, reviewing the little bit of Java I learned several years ago using the activities on code.org. I don't have time during class to practice my own coding skills, but seeing the students work in class motivates me to use some of my free time to practice myself.

One of the reasons I see coding as important for Makers is that it allows the maker to have control over an aspect of the making or creating that is repetitive. If you're making involves big numbers, coding can handle big numbers. If your making involves measurements, coding can help with accuracy.

12/16/14

Today I worked on coming up with a better idea for my final project with Dylan.

I have been working on Java because that is the language that my group picked to work with. It is hard to pick up at first, but becomes very interesting and many possibilities soon open up.

Welcome!

https://maker.co/tag/maker-movement-manifesto/

Welcome to Calling All Makers. We spend three hours a week exploring interests, learning skills and making things. We have different interests and we learn from each other as well as with all the resources available to us. Come discover with us our ups and downs, stunning successes and our fabulous flops as we share what we do, and what we learn.