|
Computer class more than just data entry
Published January 31, 2005
Designing a system for moving stock is a real-world problem faced by companies and corporations as they grow or develop new products.
But, said Dave Pullias, computer science teacher at Our Lady of the Hills Regional Catholic High School, these companies don’t just spend hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars, without making sure in advance that their system will be effective.
So for the last month, the five-student senior class at OLH — the first group of graduates the new school will produce — has spent their computer class time working in teams to devise computer-driven models for just such a system.
“Students need to realize that there are many more uses for the computer other than word processing, spreadsheets, databases and PowerPoint,” Pullias said. “Each year, students coming into high school are more computer literate than those who preceded them.”
Pullias simulates the workplace situation by assuming the role of a corporate production manager who communicates with a systems design firm — his students — through memos. Their task is to design a computer-driven system that will transfer stock around a warehouse by using an electromagnetic modeling kit.
In addition to learning about logic-based computer programming, the students have to place themselves in a real-world situation where they must meet deadlines to complete the project.
“First I wrote the computer program and then built the model,” said Christine MacMillan, who commutes daily to the OLH campus on Peterson Farm Road from her home in Bandera.
With the logic-driven computer program written, MacMillan then replicated the design on using a model kit where logic switches are instructed by the program to move a motorized arm and lift and drop magnetic weights, simulating boxes of stock.
Another student, Gabriel Herrera, said that while working in the teams, he discovered there are many solutions to the same problem.
Pullias said the student teams all are charged with the same task, but working independently will be able to achieve the goal using different designs. When the design teams complete their project, their various designs can be measured against each other for efficiency and success.
Working with the small groups of students at the private high school offers Pullias, who has a doctorate in curriculum and instruction, an opportunity to try different teaching methods than he could apply during his 34 years as a full-time public school teacher. As the students progress through the curriculum, held to the same standards as public school students, he can work through topics at different speeds.
Next year, Pullias said he plans to expand the computer class to incorporate artificial intelligence projects into the class, as well as the robotics the current seniors are working with.
As the first graduating class nears the end of its time at OLH, Principal Barry Neuberger said he is pleased with how the school is progressing.
With 48 students enrolled this year, he said he hopes with next year’s entry group the student body will grow to about 70 in the fall. An increasing number of OLH students are coming from middle schools in the area, including Hunt and Ingram, as well as Kerrville. Several current students commute from Fredericksburg, Boerne and Bandera.
During the upcoming Catholic Schools Week, the OLH students will go to Notre Dame and share a church service with elementary and middle school students. Also, they will travel to San Antonio for a college visit to the University of Incarnate Word.
Neuberger said that getting away from the campus for the day gives the students an opportunity to experience some of the richness in the Central Texas community.
Anyone interested in attending OLH is invited to contact Neuberger at the school and arrange for a visit. For more information, call 895-0501 or visit www.ourladyofthehills.org.
Gerard MacCrossan may be reached at gerard.maccrossan(at)dailytimes.com.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Comment
|
|
|
 |
|
Photo Reprints
Get Daily Times photos from the latest games and scenic locales.
Special Sections
Visitor's Guide
Real Estate Guide
Hill Country Life
Medical Directory
Home Directory
|
