Bartlett Publishing

Here are the class notes for this week. Don’t forget to come back each week and check them out! You can always find them the next day after class.

Computer Programming

Today we started typing our own web pages. Unlike the summer program, where we had six whole weeks to concentrate on HTML, in this class we have reduced it to two – this week and next week. Therefore, read the chapter carefully, and be sure to do your assignments fully. Do your assignments early this week so that if you have any trouble getting it to work on your home computer, you can email me. Remember that you need to use a *text* editor (not a word processor) to do the assignments. Windows comes with Notepad, Macs come with TextEdit (though you usually have to click “Format” and then “Make Plain Text”), and Linux comes with gEdit or a similar program. The appendices in the back of the book have step-by-step instructions, but each operating system version is a little different, so please email me with any questions. If we get it right to start out with, it will make the whole class go better.

Today the section 1 graded assignment was due, but few actually did something for it. If you did not turn something in, be sure to do so next time. The next graded assignment is only three weeks away, so be sure to keep an eye out for which assignment problem you want to use.

Electronics

Note – I updated the Electronics book, so download the latest copy.

Most of you were better about bringing your boxes! That made class work really smoothly. However, I noticed that some of you were getting bored with the material. However, understanding this stuff is important, because you will need to know it to understand the more fun material. This semester we can build some neat devices, and next semester we may be able to build audio amplifiers, but only if you take the time to learn the basic math behind the circuits.

We had some confusion over what chapter to read. Read chapter 7 this week! We kind of skipped over chapter 5. I sent home an updated syllabus. If you have not read chapter 6 yet, you need to read it and chapter 7. You can skip the chapter 6 homework if you have not done it yet.

Be sure when you come to class that either (a) you understand how to calculate current and voltage in a circuit that has serial and parallel resistances, or (b) you know what questions you want to ask about it, or specific problems you need help working. You may also ask questions by email. I am often on my computer, and often can reply relatively quickly. I understand that this is a boring part of electronics, but if you plow through it and learn it well then we can move to the fun stuff rather than be repeating it over and over again.

Also note – the schedule lists a quiz next week – be sure you know your stuff enough for the quiz! It will mostly focus on Ohm’s Law with a little on series and parallel resistances.

Also, just so everyone is clear – since this is not a math class, you can always use your calculators. It might be wise to bring one to class with you, too.

Calculus

Note – I updated the Calculus book, so download the latest copy.

You guys are doing great – just read the next chapter in the book! We are already a week ahead of schedule, so we might slow down and do some stuff outside of Calculus for fun. If you have any subjects you are simply curious about, we can probably find math-oriented angles to look at in class.

I hope you all enjoyed week 3 as much as I did! This week we really managed to start diving into each subject.

Computer Programming

In computer programming, we did the first computer simulation from chapter 5. As I mentioned, this is somewhat tangential to the actual class, but I find that people who know how the computer works form better intuitions about everything regarding programming. So that is where we are starting. Next week we will have the computer lab again and we will begin doing web pages, so come prepared to type!

The reading for this week is chapter 5. There is not much homework this week in the “Apply” section of the book, so what I want you to do is to bring me your papers that you filled out running the simulation.

Now, a lot of people get confused on the simulation, so I have a video to help you out:

Also, instead of drawing the worksheet yourself, you can download pre-drawn sheets from here:

http://www.npshbook.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/SimulationGameBlank.pdf

So, you do need to answer the apply section, but the biggest part of your homework will be the simulation.

NEXT WEEK – your big homework assignment from section 1 is due. Remember, what we are doing is picking one homework activity that best represents your work in this class and turning it in for a grade. I would prefer this be printed out. Since there was very little programming in this class, some decent choices might be – (a) the technology essay, (b) for the younger students, writing out a full sentence in ASCII, or (c) doing a simulation (you might even pick out one of the “extra” simulations at the back of the book to try).

Electronics

This is the first week we really got our hands dirty. We learned to use a breadboard and a multimeter, and this is essentially what we will use for the rest of the year.

For the book – BE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD THE LATEST VERSION OF THE BOOK! http://bplearning.net/electrobook
I swapped out this weeks and next weeks’ chapters, so the chapter you should be reading is “Chapter 6: Constructing and Testing Circuits”. We will do series/parallel next week. This chapter has a lot of hands-on exercises with your breadboard.

Note that on some of the breadboards, the power rails only go half way across! This is indicated visually by a break in the red and blue lines. Also, a few of you had multimeters that were on the edge of being able to work or not. If those wind up being faulty, let me know.

Remember, everyone needs to bring their box each week! Otherwise you will wind up just watching the rest of us do electronics.

Calculus

This week we started getting into derivatives! The derivative is when most people start to see the kind of inventive things that people can do with math. Remember that everything we did with derivatives stemmed from the simple definitions of lines and what it meant to be a line. All we did was to take the point-slope formula and trick it into giving us the answers we wanted.

Remember to download the latest version of the book!

I look forward to seeing everybody next week!

We had a great time in class this week! Everyone was attentive, cooperative, and kept going when technology didn’t work perfectly. We have had a few issues with the Wifi at the location where we are holding class. I am looking to fix it, but a big thank-you to the students for being patient when there are a few glitches during class!

I forgot to mention this, but this Saturday is the Tulsa Maker Faire at Expo Square. I will have a booth there – so come by, see what is going on, and drop by the booth and say “hi”!

Programming

This week we looked a bit more into how computers communicate over the network. You don’t have to do the process on pages 29-30, as that is what we did in class (though you should read those pages), and it is sometimes hard to get that done on your home computers. You may also skip #4 on “Apply What You Have Learned” on Chapter 3.

Starting on Chapter 4, there are “Practice Questions”. These will help you out if you do them, but I am not considering Practice Questions or Activities part of the required homework. I am only checking for the “Apply” section at the end. They will definitely help your understanding if you do them (and, if you get stuck on “Apply”, you should go back and do them), but I am not checking for them.

The Apply section on chapter 4 depends on you having a text editor. On Windows you can use Notepad and on the Mac you can use TextEdit, though TextEdit sometimes tries to be more than a text editor and may or may not work. You might also try to install Adobe Brackets (it is free at brackets.io) for your text editor. You will use a text editor for the rest of the class, however, the exercises in this chapter are very setup-dependent, so there may be some issues. Email me if you have issues and we can work them out, and most importantly I just want you to try them out.

Next week we will not be on computers, but will be doing a hands-on computer simulation (where you are the computer).

Electronics

We did our first circuit this week – yay! I put breadboards in the boxes, but we won’t learn to use them until next week, though many students who took the summer class were already familiar with them.

We covered Ohm’s law in class, which will be chapter 4 in your book. It is a short chapter, but very important. The homework in this chapter is foundational for the rest of the class.

Calculus

The reading assignment for Calculus is to cover chapter 3, 4, and 5. Since chapter 4 is non-existent, you have the assignment of reading this article instead. Chapter 3 is the only chapter with homework. We started talking about derivatives and integrals this week – next week we will talk about them a little more in-depth.

I enjoyed meeting you all this week! I am still learning your names, and I imagine that will continue. As it says in the syllabus, please feel free to email me at any time if you have questions.

Here are the notes for each of the classes:

Programming

We covered a lot of the material in chapter 2, and a little from chapter 3. Read chapters 1 and 2 this week, and do the exercises at the end of chapter 2 and bring them to class with you next week. I will be taking homework with attendance. You can bring your homework printed out or on a flash drive (which you will get back). For the essay, just write a short paragraph or two. The goal is to start thinking about technology and its role in history.

Electronics

Remember to bring your box with you next week! This is a class requirement, and will be part of your homework grade. You need to download the current version of the book, and read chapters 1 & 3, and do the exercises at the end of chapter 3. Next week we will start making actual electricity move. Bring your homework with you – I will check your homework and your box during attendance next week.

Calculus

Don’t forget to download the current version of the book, and read chapters 1 & 2. We actually covered more than that in class today, but I want to make sure you think through these things slowly and methodically. Lines may not seem important, but they are! Don’t forget to do the exercises at the end of the chapter and bring them with you for class next week.

I can’t wait to see you all again next week!

I’m looking forward to meeting all of you! Class updates will be posted to this blog. Stay tuned for announcements.

It has taken us a while to finalize a schedule and a location, but we have finally worked out what we think will be a great location and a great schedule for our fall classes.

The classes will be held at Joy Lutheran Church at 99th and Yale. The following classes will be held on Wednesdays starting on August 17th:

• Computer Programming at 8:30 AM
• Electronics at 9:35 AM
• Calculus at 10:40 AM

We moved the computer programming class to the early slot so that more dads will be able to bring their students to class on the way to work and moms only have to make one trip out to pick their students up.

Classes will be for 15 weeks. We are meeting on the following days: August 17, 24, and 31; September 7, 14, 21, and 28; October 5, 12, and 26; November 2, 9, 16, and 30; and December 7. This has two breaks – October 19th and November 23rd.

The classes are intended to be year-long, but the fall and spring terms are contracted separately so that we can make adjustments as needed between the fall and spring terms.

Here are the details for each course:

• Programming and Web Development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This course follows the book New Programmers Start Here and introduces the basics of programming, HTML, and networking to students. Students should have some basic typing skills before starting class. Class is limited to Junior-high and high-school aged students (12 years old and up). This class will meet at 8:30 AM.
• Introduction to Electronics. This course will introduce students to the basics of electronics, and focus on learning to build basic circuits. All circuits built will be low-power, DC-only circuits, which means that they will be safe. Students will learn the basics of circuit analysis, circuit design, and microcontroller programming. Class is limited to Junior-high and high-school aged students (12 years old and up). This class will meet at 9:35 AM.
• Calculus for the Curious. This course is an introduction to Calculus. While most mathematics courses are about applying formulas that the book tells you, Calculus is about building formulas from basic principles. If you are curious about what makes mathematics and the sciences tick, this Calculus course will show you how to think about problems in new ways, and teaches you to apply basic principles to transform problems into solutions. Class is limited to high-school aged students who have taken some amount of trigonometry and are proficient in algebra skills. This class will meet at 10:40 AM.

All classes will involve homework for the students to do between classes, probably between 1-3 hours for programming and electronics, and probably 4-6 hours for Calculus.

Classes cost $150 per student per semester per class. If you enroll in multiple classes, or have multiple students in a class, the classes are discounted down to $125.

Additionally, students in the programming class need to purchase the book New Programmers Start Here. Students will also need to pay a computer lab fee of $20. Computers will be provided during class, but students are expected to have a computer at home to do assignments on (any computer built in the last decade should work, though students will need to be able to install software programs needed for the class – all software will be free downloads). Computers can be purchased from BP Learning capable of doing the assignments for $60.

Students in the electronics class will need to pay an additional $35 for an electronics kit which will be added to throughout the semester. Students will be responsible for bringing their kit to class each week.

Email jonathan@bartlettpublishing.com if you are interested in taking these classes or have any questions. Minimum class size is 5 students; maximum class size is 15 students.

UPDATES – Please see this post for updated information!

For those in the Tulsa area, we are lining up a set of classes for the fall. The exact times are tentative and depend on the exact location, which we are presently working on. Sign up now and reserve your space!

We are currently planning on three classes. The classes are year-long, but the fall and spring terms are contracted separately.

• Programming and Web Development with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This course follows the book New Programmers Start Here and introduces the basics of programming, HTML, and networking to students. Students should have some basic typing skills before starting class. Class is limited to Junior-high and high-school aged students (12 years old and up). This class will meet at 9:30 AM.
• Introduction to Electronics. This course will introduce students to the basics of electronics, and focus on learning to build basic circuits. All circuits built will be low-power, DC-only circuits, which means that they will be safe. Students will learn the basics of circuit analysis, circuit design, and microcontroller programming. Class is limited to Junior-high and high-school aged students (12 years old and up). This class will meet at 10:30 AM.
• Calculus for the Curious. This course is an introduction to Calculus. While most mathematics courses are about applying formulas that the book tells you, Calculus is about building formulas from basic principles. If you are curious about what makes mathematics and the sciences tick, this Calculus course will show you how to think about problems in new ways, and teaches you to apply basic principles to transform problems into solutions. Class is limited to high-school aged students who have taken some amount of trigonometry and are proficient in algebra skills. This class will meet at 8:30 AM.

Classes will meet on Wednesday mornings for 15 weeks. We are meeting on the following days: August 17, 24, and 31, September 7, 14, 21, and 28, October 5, 12, and 26, November 2, 9, 16, and 30, and December 7. This has two breaks – October 19th and November 23rd. We are currently talking with a church in Jenks about using their facilities for the class, but a finalized location is currently pending. Times on the classes may be shifted slightly depending on the finalization of the location. All classes will involve homework for the students to do between classes.

Classes cost $150 per student per semester per class. If you enroll in multiple classes, or have multiple students in a class, the classes are discounted down to $125.

Additionally, students in the programming class need to purchase the book New Programmers Start Here. Students will also need to pay a computer lab fee of $20. Computers will be provided during class, but students are expected to have a computer at home to do assignments on (any computer built in the last decade should work, though students will need to be able to install software programs needed for the class – all software will be free downloads). Computers can be purchased from BP Learning capable of doing the assignments for $60.

Students in the electronics class will need to pay an additional $35 for an electronics kit which will be added to throughout the semester. Students will be responsible for bringing their kit to class each week.

Email jonathan@bartlettpublishing.com if you are interested in taking these classes or have any questions. Minimum class size is 5 students; maximum class size is 15 students.

For the homeschool co-op classes I teach, I have been building a mobile computer lab. I though I would share my setup in case anyone else wants to do something similar.
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