HELP Me Code: Students Teaching Students
HELP Me Code is a club open to all HELP students interested in computer programming. ESL Instructor Laura Dardignac sat down with co-founder Auguste Jacquet (Business ‘16) and two club students, Adler Barreau, (Industrial Engineering ‘19) and Jean Marcelin Beaubrun (Computer Science ‘18) to find out more about this student initiative.
Students in the HELP Center computer lab
Laura: How did the club come about? Why was it invented?
Auguste: We felt that every student should have a basic knowledge on programming because most fields these days require it. We decided that because we have the knowledge, we could share that with people who are interested.
Laura: Who teaches the programming?
Auguste: Computer science students do the teaching because not only do they have the materials, they also have the experience from university.
Laura: How often do you meet?
Auguste: We meet every Sunday, from 4-6pm. We set up the club like a workshop, especially since everyone is on a different pace. However, everyone is making progress.
Laura: Have students developed their own programs?
Auguste: Not yet. So far we’ve organized workshops on hardware, operating systems like IOS, Android and Aduino and programs such as Java.
Laura: Adler and Jean Marcelin, What have you learned so far being a part of the club?
Adler: One of the biggest things I’ve learned has been how to optimize my research when I’m doing a project. I now have the general knowledge on computer software and hardware, and programming languages.
Jean Marcelin: Like Adler, I’ve learned so much about programming language and general ideas on software and hardware. I’ve also learned about specific programs such as Java.
Laura What would you say sparked your interest in computers and technology?
Adler: When I was younger I wondered how airplanes or cars worked. I’ve always been fascinated with motors and as I got older I wanted to learn more about programming and hardware.
Jean Marcelin: For me, a calculator was the catalyst. When I was younger, I could not understand how you could type a number on a calculator and get results. As I got older, I realized it was a type of programming in calculators that yielded those results.
Laura: How is what you are learning is useful to you?
Adler: My biggest dream since I was a kid was to create electronics or programs everyone could use. This club gives me the knowledge I need to create those programs and provide society something everyone can use.
Jean Marcelin: As a computer science major, this club gives me the language and information I will encounter later in my degree program. By that point, I will be well versed in the computer world and have an advantage my classmates will not.
Laura: What is your favorite thing about the club?
Auguste: I love that I’m doing something I like and I’m not even a Computer Science major. Everyone who participates in HELP Me Code is there because they want to be. They are passionate about programming and there’s a willingness to learn more. I also think that programming is an art. You are taking a physical object and using algorithms to bring it to life.
Adler: I love the fact that we are from different majors and yet we have the same vision for the club; that makes the experience so much more enriching. We are constantly exchanging ideas!
Jean Marcelin: I agree with Adler. Additionally, I like coding because it’s both logical and creative. It allows me to create a new program that didn’t exist in the past.
Laura: How do you see the future of the club?
Auguste: I hope that the club continues to grow, and that enough students learn about programming so that when we founders graduate, students like Adler and Marcelin can take over and make it even better than it is today.