Beginning JAVA Programming – Resource Materials
As an introduction to Computer Science for middle school or high school students, a wonderful resource called “Beginning Java” from MathBits is worth a look.
The online resource is designed for beginning programmers who are studying the Java programming language. The materials use JBuilder with BreezyGUI and emphasis is on Java application programming. The website offers sample exercises and online quizzes to test students on material learned.
If the online materials are not enough for you, the site owners offer a Beginning Java Course Resource CD for Educators for $149.00 + S&H. I ordered the CD and am quite happy with it. All teaching materials, including handouts of lesson notes, are included in the CD. A large part of the contents of the CD are the MS-Word versions of the materials offered for free on their website — but there’s so much more on the CD — including:
- Hardcopy lesson handout sheets for each of the on-line lesson pages
- Calendars with the suggested schedule lesson layout based on 84-minute class period
- A brochure that explains the course, assignments, grading, extra help, virus checking, room rules, working at home, etc.
- A Course Tri-fold Brochure
- A brochure on Java with JBuilder – Quick Reference Guide
- A tri-fold brochure explaining how to use JBuilder
- An Introductory Powerpoint Presentation for parents
- Lots of assignments, programming projects, activities, quizzes, and unit tests
The whole package is essentially a 7-unit course on Beginning Java Programming:
- Unit 1: Introduction, Vocabulary, Number Bases
- Supplement: Installing/Using JBuilder and BreezyGUI
- Unit 2: Data Basics
- Supplement: Working with BreezyGUI
- Unit 3: Conditionals
- Unit 4: Looping
- Unit 5: Methods
- Unit 6: Arrays
- Unit 7: Basic Graphics
- Final Exam Project
So far, I have worked on Units 1 and 2 with my class of 11th grade students in IB Computer Science and I am happy with the results. Students are also excited about what they are learning, especially the short, simple Java programs they have developed.
Just a few comments on the paid for CD resource:
- Using only Units 1 and 2 of the materials thus far, I have come across a few errors on the materials. Some errors were on the exercises – regarding the inconsistent use of numbers. There were also minor inconsistencies in the Unit 2 test.
- I emailed the author of the resource CD and I was told that since the files were in MS-Word, I was welcome to go ahead and correct any typos or modify the materials as I saw fit.
- Aside from minor typos and errors on the MS-Word files of the materials, the quality of the subject content and amount of exercises, quizzes, etc. is quite good.
Our class also uses two other resources on Java Programming: EIMACS and “Chortle”. These are discussed on different posts in this blog.
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Filed under: Educational Technology, For Teachers, JAVA Programming
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