Scratch: Backdrops

The Stage can change just like the sprites can change. To initialize a sprite in a scene you set an event button, such as "when green flag is clicked". You could use scene changes for any movie. People use backdrops to change between scenes.

Scratch: Conversations

A broadcast allows you to create conversations with logical timing. You would use "timing" in a project for things such an action. You would use "broadcasting" with a conversation.

Scratch: Characters

Make a block is a way to create your own sequence of actions. oiu would use "make a block" if you were going to make a very long sequence of actions because "make a block" allows you to put all that information into one block

Scratch: Reflection to Debugging

One debugging strategy I used was experimenting with different blocks to see how they changed the project and tried to find what blocks would fix the projects. I would help someone else learn how to debug by showing them how the different blocks change the project.

Scratch: Debug it! 5

Scratch: Debug it! 4

Scratch: Debug it! 3

Scratch: Debug it! 2

Scratch: Debug it! 1

scratch 2 10 Block challenge

This activity helped me learn scratch because I was able to create something that was my own but I had some guidance. The 10 Block didn't really restraint my ideas because what I had in mind only incorporated a mixture of the 10 Blocks.

Scratch Try it

We started learning about scratch.
Reflection...
It was surprising how little the character moved, you had to have a very high number to make it move far.
It was very helpful to be led through the activity step by step.
I think that we had a good amount of structure while learning how to work scratch.
I would like to have more freedom when we are making our own projects.
I feel very creative when we get to create our own projects from scratch

HTML Intro

Today we were introduced to HTML
3 things I want to learn...1. Will we create our own websites?
2. Is creating your own webpage a tedious process?
3. How HTML was invented.
2 things I learned about HTML...
1. HTML stands for Hyper Text Markup Language
2. Each HTML tag describes different document content
1 thing I am concerned about making a webpage...
1. Thinking of a topic for my website.

Using a classmates Binary Code

I liked Evans code. He use # as 1's and % as 0"s. Here is a sentence using this code...

#%#%% %#%%% %#%%# #%% #%%##    %%%## %#### %%#%% %%#%#    %#%%# #%%##
#%%#% %%#%# %%%%# %##%% %##%% ##%%#    %%%## %#### %#### %##%% .

It says This code is really cool.

New Binary Code

My new binary code consists of filled in and blank stars. A filled in star represents a 1 and a blank star represents a 0. So.... the following code is....

★☆★★☆= 22

Why do Computers use Binary?

After watching the video Why do Computers use Binary? I formed a better understanding of how computers use the binary system.
Three new things I learned are...
1. A system of two is used because it is the smallest number that allows a difference between two things.
2. Computers use voltage to transmit information.
3. Mistakes in reading the amount of voltage can occur
Two things I don't understand well are...
1. How are computers able to perform task so fast?
2. How was the binary system created?
One thing I want to learn more about...
1. What happens when there is too high of a voltage

The Binary Game

In class we learned about the binary system and then played a game to practice this concept. I got up to level 4 in the game. Level 4 doesn't seem like much but it was harder than you'd think! The hardest part of this game was trying to add huge numbers in my head. Once, I had to add up to somewhere around 258 and it was very challenging to try to find the exact combination of numbers. At first I thought that I would hate the binary system because I am not a big fan of math but once I understood the concept it was actually very interesting. Binary counting is very useful and doesn't just have to be used for computers, you can count on your fingers as well. Each finger would represent a value, just like each card we used in class represented a value. Your pinkie finger is 1, ring 2, middle 4, pointer 8, and thumb 16. The binary system is used with computers because every letter in the alphabet can be represented by a number. A is 1, B is 2, Z is 26. You use the binary system to code for the letter you need. When a value is used it is represented by a 1 and when it is not used it is a 0. Therefore if you were going to say "Hi" it would be coded as 01000 (H is represented by 8) and 01001 (I is represented by 9. The computer uses only 0's and 1's to create a message.

The Google Boys

In class today we watched a video about the creation of Google. Google started with two college students and one idea. As more and more people began to use Google, employees were hired to account for the demand of Google. Google soon became the massive company it is today. Some of the challenges Google faced were copyright and competition. Google works by sending "spiders" out onto the world wide web which download any possible information. The problem is some people do not want their work on the internet. One artist got mad and tried to sue Google because he did not want his work available to everyone on the internet. As well, there are many competing companies, such as Yahoo and Microsoft, that are fighting for popularity. There key in being ahead is speed. Google is obsessed with speed and is always working to increase the speed of their programs.

Exploring the World of Thecnological Intelligence

Today in class we were assigned to try out Eliza, an online therapist. The only problem is she isn't very intelligent. Eliza isn't very human like because she doesn't follow conversation in a rational order. To make her seem more human I would program more responses because she kept repeating the same things as if she was only programmed to say a couple of responses. Although, I can admit, a computer is not really capable of having emotions, but, by adding sympathetic words into her program Eliza may seem to have more emotions. I can imagine that computers could become more human like. For example Siri on apple devices is more intelligent than Eliza. She is able to carry out commands, answer questions, and respond rationally to what you say. The technology is likely to become more and more advanced.

Choose Your Own Culture

Today in computer applications we were assigned to research a culture of our choice. I researched Pre-Colombian pyramids. Here is a little of what I learned...

• these pyramids show a complex understanding of principles of mathematics and astronomy
• The Mayans lived in Mesoamerica. Their history is divided into three periods: The pre-Classic, Classic, and Post-Classic.
• Most of their greatest achievements in astronomy, architecture, and mathematics occurred during the Classic period
• The Mayans pyramids are called pyramid temples because unlike the Egyptians whose pyramids were essentially huge grave stone the Mayan pyramids were religious temples.
• The Mayans believed these sacred places should be located at places of power
• The Mayans sometimes built a new pyramid right over the top of an old one in order to "regenerate the power".

A Reflection on Cultural Backgrounds

Today in class we explored bead looms and the cultural background of it. Bead work is well known for beauty. During this unit of study we will be focusing on the cultural background of Native American bead work and the mathematics it embodies. These designs are based on four-fold symmetry. We looked at four images of these designs. All of these images were made up of geometric figures. These four images were...

                  

One key term in this reading was reflection symmetry.   Reflection symmetry is when the right half is the mirror     image of the left. This four-fold counting is commonly used as an organizing principle for religion society and native technology. Navajo sand paintings are another example of four-fold symmetry. These are used in healing ceremonies. Another example is parka decorating in Eskimo culture. It is said that it is important for both sides to look exactly the same. Finally we read about the bead loom in which beads are designed in rows and columns. Native American bead work was created before European contact and was used in many ways such as clothing and wampum belts.

Scavenger Hunt Reflection

Today in Computer Apps we did an online scavenger hunt. It was very interesting because I learned about lots of websites I never knew existed. I feel as though I was very precise when searching for information. Although, I could work on using more advanced search engines; sometimes I used Wikipedia. Also, I could improve on going more in depth into the websites. Sometimes I would get frustrated if I couldn't find the information I needed but I think that if I looked a little harder I would have been able to find the information.

Computer Buying Project Reflection

In Computer Apps class we did a project where we had to choose between two computers to buy based on a certain scenario. It was very interesting to learn about the different components of a computer that I never knew about before such as the optical drive. Also it was very interesting to see the differences between two brands of computers. My partner and I researched a Dell computer and a Macbook. The Macbook seemed to be more expensive but had better features while the Dell was more affordable. Although, it was challenging to find some of the required components to the computer, such as the sound drive. I later found that it was not included in the certain computer that I was researching.

A Little About Me

Hi, I'm Emma. I'm 15 years old and a sophomore at RMHS. I dance at LaPierre school of dance. I do ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, contemporary, and modern. Also, I am involved with the drama program at my high school. I have two younger sisters and one older sister and a dog named Jasper. My favorite school subject is history. I hope you enjoy my blog!

Partner Reflection

Working with my partner has been good. We decided how to split up the work evenly and that has made it easy to get the project done because we each have a specific part to focus on. I am focusing on the dell computer and my partner is focusing on the Mac book. We have been able to communicate easily and have not had any problems working together.