This end of year evaluation summarizes a teacher's goal to modernize the Computer Math and Advanced Computer Math curriculum using programming languages like QBASIC, Visual BASIC, C++, Java, and HTML. The teacher learned to program in Visual BASIC and found it similar to QBASIC for introducing concepts in Computer Math. For Advanced Computer Math, the teacher thinks focusing solely on C++ is best due to time constraints. Participation in online forums and websites from other teachers was helpful. The best textbooks identified for teaching Visual BASIC at this level were by Bruce Presley and Wallace Wang. The teacher achieved the goal but bit off more than could be completed by also trying to include Java, HTML, and web programming.

1. Professional End of Year Evaluation
2000­2001
To: Jeffrey L. Hollman, Principal Baldwin SHS
From: A. Jorge García, Teacher of Mathematics
Date: 6/15/2001
Re: Final Self–Evaluation
Summary:
My primary goal was to learn how best to modernize Computer Math and
Advanced Computer Math using QBASIC (QB), Visual BASIC (VB), C++, Java and
HTML. I am now able to incorporate a modern programming curriculum in order to
better serve the needs of our programming students in Computer Math and improve
enrollment in Advanced Computer Math.
I taught myself how to program in VB. I found that teaching the QB
paradigm as compared to the VB paradigm is not very different except for the use of
GUI objects. The first semester, Computer Math, can easily be taught using QB to
introduce programming concepts and problem solving techniques and then VB for
advanced applications. For the second semester, Advanced Computer Math, I think
that focusing on C++ will take all the class time available. Java, HTML and
programming for the World Wide Web (WWW) is best left to the end of AP
Computer Science the following year.
It was most beneficial to participate in the TeachVB, AP–CompSci and APCS
listservs. Many teachers and professionals share their programming expertise and
pedagogical methods in this venue. I also found the online VB forums at
www.codeguru.com and www.a1vbcode.com very useful. I investigated several web­
sites written by teachers and professors currently involved in these curricula. Much
of this content is organized under www.mainfunction.com.
I find that, students learn best when they analyze professional code solving
interesting problems. There are several sites devoted to sample VB code:
softwaredev.earthweb.com, freevbcode.com.
What I found the most helpful was using a good textbook geared toward
students of VB at this level. The best of these were: MS Visual BASIC by Bruce
Presley, Lawrenceville Press © 1999 and Visual BASIC for Windows for Dummies
by Wallace Wang, IDG Books © 2000. Presley’s book is ideal as an in–class
workbook. Wang’s book is a great at–home resource for the students and offers a
CDROM with VB Working Edition for free.
Critique:
I think that I have attained my primary goal as described above. I did find a
few obstacles along the way, however. First, I bit off more than I could chew trying
to include Java, HTML and programming content for the WWW. Also, until I found
Presley’s book, it was very difficult to teach myself VB in a timely fashion. Finally, I
was unable to find VB specific conferences or in–service courses to attend.
a:profyear2000a.mem.doc 1