Dear Biology Student:

Dear Biology Student:

My name is Claire Smerdon and a year ago, I sat where you are today. I have been in the Saratoga district since kindergarten, starting at Saratoga Elementary and then Redwood. The transition for me from Redwood to Saratoga High was relatively easy, but I remember being very scared. I had to stay late on the first day of school, and I went to Starbucks by myself even though I had no money because I was too scared to stay on campus.

I took MAP freshmen year, but I will not be continuing it as a sophmore. For math, I took algebra 2 honors, and my electives were spanish 2 and intro to engineering. I played competitive soccer, volunteered every weekend, and was in robotics. When I walked into this class, I did not know what to expect; when I heard that this was a ‘flipped classroom,’ I was even more confused.

In this biology class, focus on the small things. In most classes, tests are the most important. While you still want to do well on tests, make sure you do your labs, blog posts, and notebook. Notebook checks are easy to get 100% on and worth a lot of points. If you do not do well on tests, do not stress out about it.

When you come to class, start the do now. First semester has a lot more labs than second semester; second semester is more project-based. First semester is more about understanding the concepts, while second semester is all memorization. The homework is very structured in this class: a vodcast every night, chapter notes and reflection due on test day, and occasionally, finishing a blog post.

The vodcasts are longer second semester, but they usually take me about 30 minutes. You learn the material through the vodcasts, and depending on what type of learner you are, that can be a good or bad thing. In this class, you reflect on everything whether it is the relate and reviews in vodcasts, unit reflections, or labs.

The blog is part of what makes this class a flipped classroom. My favorite blog of  mine was the unit 8 reflection because I think that I was my most detailed reflection. My photos were not very good, but that is because we had no labs.

In class, make sure not to ask questions about where things are after the first week or two of school. Do not ask him to repeat questions and listen to his instructions. He strongly dislikes when people put things in the wrong place during clean-up after a lab. Be detailed and reflective on assignments to get a good grade. To do well on tests, study a lot and a few days in advance.

Always trust the board over canvas. Canvas said a certain due date, and I listened to it; however, the date was wrong and I got points off. That does not mean you can’t trust anything on canvas, but if something seems weird or unusual, just follow the board. Do not leave class before you know everything is cleaned up. Mr. Orre will punish the whole class if it really bad, even if you are not involved. Make sure to do the CFUs because sometimes Mr. Orre will put them in the test category. This made me a better student and more hard-working.

This is a great class because it shows you a new experience of having a flipped classroom. I am taking chemistry honors because I want to take AP chemistry.

20 Time Final Post

For my 20 Time project, I coded a code bit, which uses the same code as a website. The reason I did this was because after breaking my arm, I had to adjust my project so I would be able to create something. My code bit is about our previous unit, taxonomy. I went over some basic domains, kingdoms, phylums, and classes.

By clicking the hyperlink on 'code bit' above, you can view what I coded. Once on the screen that pops up, click 'fullscreen.' If you want to see my code, click 'edit code.' In addition, I wrote my reflection on my learning process.

For my grade, I believe I deserve an A because throughout the semester, I have been working very hard on it. I am very proud of how far I have come and the progress I made. I finished an estimated 14 hour course, 50% of another 6 hour course, and coded a code bit from scratch. After completing the first course, I made a blog post explaining what that entailed. I consistently worked hard throughout the entire project, eager to learn the coding. When I broke my arm, I adjusted my project to coding a code bit, which involves the same coding. The only difference is the technical work (getting a domain, paying, etc.). I had to have good time management to finish in time and figure out what was worth it. My code bit not only demonstrates my understanding of HTML and CSS, but also our previous unit. The code bit took longer than expected because of my broken arm and that I had to go over some specific code tags.

At this point, I feel like I have learned and understand code a lot more. Because of this experience, I will definitely continue coding.

Reflection

Coding is everywhere in Silicon Valley, and many of the highest paying jobs in this area revolve around it. I decided to learn how to code a basic website using HTML and CSS for my 20 Time project. At the very least, I wanted to understand how it works and open myself up to the opportunities it presents.

Initially, I wanted to take an online introductory course on codecademy.com in HTML and CSS. The course I picked took an estimated 14 hours to complete. After that, I would judge if I needed additional practice. Eventually, I would start to code the website. I did not know the medium I would use to code the website. To make it more science-related, I would code about our previous unit: domains, kingdoms, phylums, and classes.

I really enjoyed my project because coding was a lot of fun for me. Being able to learn something then immediately apply it encouraged me to learn more. As a visual learner, the ability to directly see how changing code affects the overall product helped me learn it. In addition, I enjoyed the creative freedom I had on the formatting and styling portion.

In terms of obstacles, the ones I experienced were frequent but small-scale. When I did not know something, a menu would pop up after a few tries that offered the correct code. One difficulty I faced was that in April, I broke my dominant arm. At first, I could not even lift up my arm so I had to type with one hand. Eventually, I could lift my arm up, but still, it hurts after a while and I type very slowly. Breaking my arm greatly impacted my project because I lost a lot of my efficiency and became very slow at typing.

Besides learning to code, I developed many skills. I had to learn how to manage my project time to make sure I had time to code the website.  I had to make sure I stayed focus throughout my project. For the week after I broke my arm, I had to stay motivated that I would be able to make substantial progress. That week was very hard because I was still in pain and I could only type right my right hand. Because of this, I coded a codebit instead. It has the same coding, but I did not have to go through the technical work of having a website. 

If I redid my project, I would have gone straight into coding the website after completing my first course. Instead, I had done about 3 hours on specifically coding a website. The second course was not the most effective use of my time because sometimes, I was going over things I already knew and other times, I was not reviewing what I needed to.

This project reinforced that I am a visual learner. I learned that coding may be something I want to continue in my career. I plan to take AP CSS next year. I will not continue coding this website specifically, but coding will definitely be something I continue in my future. As I stated before, I am taking it as a class next year.

I Finished the Course!

        I finished the codecademy course: Learn HTML and CSS Part One! The course had 131 lessons, which I've been spending my 20 time doing. They were sometimes difficult, but I have learned a lot and covered the basics.
        Through this, I have learned that I am a visual learner. Being able to see the different in the website depending on what code I used helped me learn.
         I haven't gone through any setbacks since last update. However, there is a good chance I will once I start trying to code the website. i will deal with them when I run into them.
         I am going to go over some of the HTML in the next session. After that, I plan on making my first attempt at coding a website. If necessary, I can complete some more lessons in what I find necessary.
         Coding is everywhere, especially in Silicon Valley. What I'm learning now will always be part of my life.

Blog Post Two: Coder Claire's Big Leap.

         About a month into the project, I've completed 77 exercises in learning how to code HTML and CSS. I've learned how to structure my code. I've learned how coders like to organize their codes into pretty, neat outlines. I can now change fonts, add photos, and pick colors. I even learned that coders have the ability to choose a color from over 6 million options. On February 3rd, I completed 50 exercises. As I advance, exercises become harder and more complex; moreover, it takes longer to do them.
         So far, I really enjoy the project because I love the design aspect of it. I'm a visual learning and coding really plays to that. I've learned more about ways that work for me, in terms of learning and retaining a concept.
        I sometimes hve small setbacks when I don't understand what the website is asking for me to code. If I don't get it in a certain number of tries, it offers to give me the code. Another time, the website was down so I couldn't work on coding. Instead, I researched more and prepared a new blog post (this one).
        I will continue to do the exercises. I'm about 65% done with the lesson. After the lesson, I will figure out whether I'm ready to hit the ground running or need to practice more. Obviously, that will determine my continuing steps.
       This project has really shown me how much freedom you have with code. It has opened my eyes to how much coding is used. Even my blogger page has an option to write blog posts in HTML. Who knows, maybe I will try!

Why Code?

         Born and raised in SIlicon Valley, my entire life I have been smothered in technology. My mom is an executive at a cyber-security company and my dad is a CEO for a tech start-up, so tech is our thing. As a teenager in the 21st century, I’m constantly using my phone or computer, naturally. Enough said, coding surrounds me. You. All of us.  

         Coding is everywhere, yet so little know how to do it. Result? The opportunities are like an empty field (pun intended) of gold... or jobs. Knowing this, I wanted to learn to code to open myself to the opportunities it presents (and get some gold). Not to mention, I get street cred with all the neighbors AKA the high tech companies.

          Specifically, my project is to learn how to code using HTML5 and CSS a biology website. I’ll learn a language of code, embrace the area, and discover more in-depth on the topic I choose to cover.

A 20 time project is a project picked by the student to explore more about a topic that interests them, using 20% of their class time. As I said before, I chose this because I want to open myself up to more areas of work. I want to learn more about something that greatly affects our lives. Knowing this, my essential question is “Why code.”

My short-term goals are to continue completing the exercises provided by codecademy.com. Long term, I would like to finish the lesson (approx. 10 hours). Overall, I want to code a website.

Currently, I’m measuring my progress by monitoring the exercises I’ve completed. Right now, I’m 49% through the lesson. My progress will be measured over what I’ve completed, and eventually, my work towards the website.

Every day for 20 time, I will learn the code through the exercises. Once I complete that, I will judge if I need additional practice. If so, I can work on another lesson. After that, I will figure out what topic to put on the site. Then, I’ll work on the code for the website.