I was delighted to read in my town’s newspaper that high school senior, Jack Stone, had developed a free Edline app, called iEdline, for iOS and Android. Edline is a K-12 learning management system that students and parents use regularly to check assignments, grades, and get school news.
Jack has accomplished a lot as a high school student, and I wanted to learn more about his experiences and what inspired his love for technology and computer programming. In the following interview, you’ll get ideas on how you can encourage and support a child who wants to learn computer programming in middle school and high school.
Jack began programming and designing video games in 8th grade, and that experience led him to learn computer languages, graphic design, and app development. He plans on majoring in computer science in college and aspires to be a product manager at a software firm and start his own business someday.
What I took away is that it is absolutely possible to learn computer programming as a teen and you don’t need to wait for college to start learning! Jack’s approach to learning computer programming has been self-directed. He’s almost completely self-taught; he likes to learn at his own pace based on information he’s discovered on the web.
Read on for my Q&A with Jack Stone.
Q: Is there a defining moment/experience that got you interested in computer programming?
A: Not really – I have always been interested in technology and I loved playing video games. One day I just started doing some research on how to make games and my programming career snowballed from there.
Q: You began designing video games in 8th grade and that lead to app and web development and learning programming languages. What were you doing in middle school that sparked your interest to create video games?
A: I loved video games and the thrill of being the hero (or villain) in virtual reality. As I got older I thought, “What if I could create the hero?” I started to create my own computer games and sent them to my friends and teachers. I was hooked. The following summer, I taught myself to develop apps. I worked round the clock on my first iOS app, Kinematics+, as I perfected its execution. When Apple approved it and students began using it, I savored my first taste of programming success.
Q: How have you taught yourself computer programming and app development? What resources do you use and recommend?
A: I started with books, but now I just start Googling and see where it takes me. If I’m learning a new language or technology I will begin with a primer and then just Google based on what I am trying to do. I find this approach helpful, but I have also heard of people using video tutorials.
Q: You took a Computer Science course at Harvard during your sophomore year. Why did you make the decision to take the class and what was your experience like?
A: I wanted to go outside my high school bubble and challenge myself with new material. Belmont did not offer a computer science class at the time and I had a friend who recommended I take CS50 (the Harvard course). It was rigorous but extremely rewarding, and it had such a distinctive culture. Succeeding in this class helped me realize how much I loved computer science. By the way, I am grateful to EDCO (The Education Collaborative) for offering this opportunity to high school students in the Boston area.
Q: Have you attended summer computer camps?
A: I considered doing some sort of camp but I like to learn at my own pace. Over my summers during high school, I did internships in software. The first two were unpaid, so I did them for community service credit. By the third summer, the job offers came rolling in.
Q: For a technical person, you have a strong creative side. You like graphic design and music and you play the trombone. How have these interests helped you to design apps?
A: I’ll be designing an app and say to myself, “How is the user going to look at this? What do I usually like in an app?” I believe that an app is crafted, not made. With my creative side, I ensure that the user gets the most seamless and beautiful experience possible. I think long and hard about how my apps will be used, and I want the user to delight in using it.
Q: What advice would you give a middle school or high school student who aspires to create apps, design games, or program?
The amount of material that you can learn will seem overwhelming at first — try different technologies and see which one you like! It’s best when you make software that you can use too because the feeling of using your own work is very rewarding. Over the summers, try to score some internships with startups, different companies, or non-profits because Boston is a land of opportunity for software engineers.
Q: How have your parents supported your tech interests?
A: I have spent countless hours running my ideas by them and soliciting their feedback, and they have supported me by giving me the tools I need to create my software. But mostly, they have always believed in me and encouraged me to pursue my passions.
My final thoughts
There are more ways than ever for students to learn computer programming before they head off to college. Given the amount of information and resources available on the web today, there is ample opportunity for your child to investigate different ways to learn.
Reading a book, reviewing introductory materials online, and participating in a video tutorial are good places to start. Students can explore different programming languages and see which ones pique their interest. As they start to learn languages, participating in a summer internship in software is also a great way to build their skills with real-world applications.
