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JavaScript Interactive Web Pages with JavaScript Selecting Elements and Adding Events with JavaScript Plan

Josiah Schaefer
Josiah Schaefer
7,489 Points

Trying really hard to stay focused and not fall asleep but it is really difficult.

All I've been hearing about Javascript lately is how amazing and useful it is from people who are passionate advocates for it. I'm assuming there are all sorts of fun things you can do with it, but I'm really not feeling it with this video. Come on Andrew, what are the things that you find fun and exciting that you can do with Javascript? I would really like to feel the energy.

9 Answers

Andrew Chalkley
STAFF
Andrew Chalkley
Treehouse Guest Teacher

Hi Josiah!

Sorry about the length of this video – admittedly it can be a bit of a slog. But here's some examples of cool stuff you can do with JavaScript.

If you're finding JS difficult we're hoping to bridge some of the complexity with a new course planned for June.

Regards
Andrew

Andrew, learning JS can get a little dull but I just want to say you are my favorite!

Kinda late to the party, but wanted to tell you that this kind of detailed planning makes programming a lot more easy. I am actually glad you spent 10 minutes on this.

Ciprian Cimpan
Ciprian Cimpan
10,810 Points

I find your videos great, you're a good teacher. But you saying "cool" 50 times a minute is driving me nuts! :)

How about building an app that will filter out the "cool"s from your videos :P like for real!

Francesco Belvedere
Francesco Belvedere
15,206 Points

Dont give up Josiah!

I am still learning JavaScript. As a designer it has been really the hardest part of my learnings here on Treehouse. It is not a super intuitive language to learn IMO. But then again I do not have a programming background.

I DO find it very interesting as I learn new concepts. I really find the AJAX course I am taking right now to be super cool. But none of that wouldve made sense without first watching ALL the basics courses on JS here on Treehouse.

I also want to say that I dont have big ambitions to be a JS programmer but I feel it is something I need to understand and I want to be able to grasp the large concepts enough to be in a conversation with a developer in the future. I want to understand the capabilities and limitations of JS so when I design wireframes and prototypes I am designing with specific capabilities in mind. Not sure if you have similar ambitions or if you really want to be a programmer. You need to figure these career choices out so you can figure out your focus.

Good luck and keep it up.

FB //

Harry Page
Harry Page
10,509 Points

For what it's worth,

I have found that I struggle a lot less to stay focused when I split the screen between the videos and a simple notepad file for taking notes. Watch, pause, type some notes, unpause...

You must have the material mastered to be so sleepy. Perhaps you should move on to more difficult subject matter. If this isn't the case, then you should work on improving your attention span. 10 minutes isn't long. Period.

Jesus Mendoza
Jesus Mendoza
23,289 Points

You have lack of motivation or passion for JS, that's why you find it boring!

Josiah Schaefer
Josiah Schaefer
7,489 Points

I'm definitely motivated because I know learning it is important but I think you are right about the passion part :( I'm hoping that changes though. Andrew's link makes me more interested in it at least. He seems like a cool guy :)

I happened to look bellow the questions section as I was falling asleep Josh! But I attribute it to less sleep last night and some exercise right before the course. But you are right it is a bit too long.

I look forward to the new courses. I have found every time a new course is produced here, they are more optimized and gives faster learning experience. Hope that comes about for more JavaScript course as well.

I must say though this project will be very helpful for a real life idea I am working on. Still look forward to new courses Andrew, cheers for your effort.

Josiah Schaefer
Josiah Schaefer
7,489 Points

Yeah to be fair I was going through these videos in the afternoon which is often when I get a bit more sluggish.

Bao Tran
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Bao Tran
Front End Web Development Techdegree Student 18,959 Points

I think this specific video is awesome. Great job Mr. Chalkley. Mastering pseudocode is not easy. I wish there is more practice similar to this video so we can practice.

I really appreciate that Andrew takes the time to break it down. As a developer you need to stop and think, its not just about writing the code but considering different scenarios that could be problematic and the best possible solution. The pre-writing / planning is basically pseudo code and helps to identify what needs to be done.

Josiah Schaefer
Josiah Schaefer
7,489 Points

I was an idiot for posting this in the first place a couple years ago, but I'm leaving it up to preserve all the support and positive things that people have been saying about Andrew. I'm enjoying JavaScript much more now. :)

Josiah, is there anything particular you are trying to accomplish by learning JavaScript? For myself, the goal was to build interactive web maps.

Having that goal has helped me through the steep learning curve with JavaScript. Hang in there!

Josiah Schaefer
Josiah Schaefer
7,489 Points

I think the main reason I'm trying to learn it is because it is in such high demand, and not necessarily because I am interested in learning it. I know that this is not the best reason to learn it, and that is probably why I'm having trouble with it. Honestly I'm embarrassed at myself for making my original comment. It was rude towards Andrew and I could have just simply asked what other useful things it could be used for. Are there more common uses for it like the lightbox project? I like learning everything I can as a web developer, but when it comes to building a web application, I tend to lean more on Rails and often try to find solutions without too much JavaScript involved.