Teacher: Fred Kral, Ph.D.
Email me: fkral
Call or text me: 415-857-KRAL (5725)
Call classroom: 415-339-9336 x111
Get info on homework and more: http://teach.kralsite.com or bitly kraltms [http://bit.ly/kraltms]
Course Description
The Java elective is an introduction to computer science. It teaches students to express algorithms in the standard computer programming language Java. Students will learn object-oriented programming concepts and principles mostly through hands-on simulations, games, and animations that provide immediate feedback. The course is project driven and students are required to complete substantial programming projects. In addition to programming, students learn about computer architecture, such as how computers deal with data and instructions, the internal components of a computer, and the underlying computer logic. Students may be exposed to languages other than Java during the year.
Text and materials
- Kölling, Michael. Introduction to Programming with Greenfoot: Object-Oriented Programming in Java with Games and Simulations. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2010. Softcover format ISBN-13: 978-0-13-603753-8. Electronic format ISBN-13: 978-0-13-602530-6.
- http://www.greenfoot.org/. Greenfoot main website with software.
- http://www.joyofcode.org/. Greenfoot video course.
- Laptop computer. Windows, Mac OS X, or Ubuntu. Required.
- USB flash memory stick. Required.
- Texas Instruments TI-84 Graphing Calculator.
- Organizer of paper: holes punched and not; Pencils (mechanical recommended).
Assessment
| Homework: timely completion of homework assignments. Assessed formally and informally. | 5 points per homework |
| Quizzes. demonstration of understanding of recent material. | 10 points per quiz |
| End-Semester Assessment. | 15% of course grade |
| In-Class work: positive energy and interest level during in-class work including discussion, working on projects, and practice during class. Assessed informally. | 20 points per week |
| Commitment to learning: Taking on what is challenging to you, getting help, communicating with the teacher, engaging with the material, and documenting work in an online notebook and in the computer code itself. Assessed informally. | 100 points per semester |
| Projects: quality, design, difficulty, correctness, executability, code comments, and documentation. | 20–50 points per project |
I encourage study groups. You may work with others (not just students) unless instructed otherwise as long as all of you contribute. It is wise to put the name of each contributing student on an assignment to avoid issues with plagiarism.
Come visit, text, or email as often as you like! – Fred
Please see the web site for other information including assignments.