Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School offers a class for students called Intro to Java. The class introduces students to
VASJ’s java course is normally taken by sophomores and above, but this year a freshman who was interested in programming took the class and passed.
In the Java class, students use an online class to guide them through the course. The course is broken up
“Java was a long and fun new learning experience,” says VASJ senior Brian Horvath. “It was a different way of learning and I would do it all over again.”
Brian isn’t the only student who found the class rewarding.
“I had the opportunity to take the Java programming class first semester and loved the experience,” says VASJ senior Jacob Stauffer. “It gave me some insight into the programming language that I would not otherwise have gotten.”
What makes the course so great is that if you have trouble understanding any of the content, there are many ways to go about learning the material.
“When the book that I was given for the class didn't make much sense, I was allowed to go out and find another, easier-to-use curriculum online,” Stauffer says. “I am grateful for the opportunity and would suggest it to anyone with even the slightest interest in programming.”
Java programming is an excellent class. It introduces students to a new style of learning and is a great experience for high school students who are willing to work hard. It gives students the opportunity to be their own teachers in a self-guided, distance learning class structure with a teacher available to assist when needed. I'm glad I got the chance to take it.
Thomas Yarbrough is a freshman at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School. He plays basketball and football and was in VASJ's inaugural Java class.