Pro-Bot Programming
Computer programming may be an intimidating skill to learn. It's a process of creating a set of instructions to tell a computer how to perform a task. The Information Systems (IS) program in Millikin University's Tabor School of Business is helping lower the barrier of programming by offering a dual credit course called Programming Fundamentals.
The course is a unique partnership between Millikin University and Decatur Public Schools (DPS). DPS high school students are able to take the Millikin course as a result of gifts made to the Decatur Public Schools Foundation. The course satisfies one of the degree requirements for the Information Systems major at Millikin, and it benefits students who decide to enter the technology field.
RJ Podeschi, assistant professor of information systems at Millikin, teaches the programming course.
"One of the issues is that many people feel intimidated by programming, and the idea of the course is to give students that experience," Podeschi said.
The course introduces students to the process of creating and implementing typical solutions to business problems requiring computer programming skills. The focus of the course is to help students understand the basic concepts of computer programming while emphasizing design over syntax – a particular layout of words and symbols. The course teaches an object oriented approach using the Java programming language.
Recently, Podeschi introduced the concept of programming to his students by using Pro-Bot programmable floor robots.
