I smell freedom in the air!

      In one sense, this week was a smashing success. Out of the two scratch assignments, i completed one with time to spare! The other one, not so much....Not only did i take longer than intended trying to complete (i have yet to finish it) I had to phone a friend on numerous occasions  Do i like scratch any better? Certainly not. But at least there was some improvement this week (no matter how minor).
      However, there are other things to be thankful for. For one, the break's fast coming up....: ) But more than that, I wonder what the course is going to look like after the transition is complete. What will the course look like?  So far, my take on computer programming hasn't been all too great. I definitely don't want the future class to be like an extended scratch assignment. That would be horrific. But I suppose i will just have to wait and see....

Scratch- the senior version of my most hated nightmare

        I don't remember much from freshmen year but the little I do remember can't be described as my fondest memories. I can never forget the hours I spent in the school dungeon with my glutes glued to a blue plastic chair and my eyes fixed on the background of the program's home screen  Nor can I forget the four hour long brain freezes that occurred afterwards as my body attempted to  recover from excessive neuron transmission. The stuff of nightmares known affectionately by professionals as Solidworks, became my biggest hurdle during the fall semester of freshmen year. Even though it was difficult, I consoled myself through mental pep-talk of the educational kind, convincing myself that every minute spent in mental duress would undoubtedly repay itself at least ten fold in the form of mental acuity. Although I have yet to realize the impact of Solidworks improved brain cognition, I can say that the pep-talk got me through eighteen weeks of torture. Unfortunately, things didn't all go exactly as planned.
        Backtrack three years, I though the end of freshman year would also mean the end of having to do a design or engineering based assignment at least for the rest of high school. Boy was I wrong. I have one word for you: Scratch. But as the old adage goes, when life throws you lemons, make lemonade or die by lemons. Things haven't changed much since freshmen year. Scratch is almost just as bad as Solidworks but isn't it funny that I give myself the same mental pep-talk even three years later? It's been a  long week and the future doesn't seem any less challenging. Regardless, there's not much use in complaining. Now to think of some way to circumvent future bouts of brain deadness like the three-hour-long one i experienced today after finally turning in my quiz lab.....

Tests Galore

  
 The purpose of tests is to test one's ability, one's level of learning. This weeks benchmark was just that. No consequences no negative emotions, just an assessment. I like it. Never in my twelve years of education did i ever have the opportunity to take such a test. Now i know that i only know about half of the material. I'm not contesting my level of understanding. This benchmark served as an accurate marker. The question is now what?
  
Intro to Programming
   More questions than answers for the module so far. Maybe I will be more learned next week. On the other hand, I'm really looking forward to Scratch. The concept of giving something directions to follow is different, a virtual autocracy. Makes me feel conniving.... But once again, i have more questions than answers....how are the actions coded for? How much reign does the character have over his own actions? Where does binary fit in to all this. They say patience is a virtue. Only next week will tell : )