This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
Don’t miss Part Two! With the increasing demand for computer science skills in the job market, acquiring programming knowledge early on can open up a wide range of lucrative and fulfilling opportunities in the future.
Total classes: 13, plus pre-recorded lessons
Prerequisite: Introduction to Computer Science, Part One. The ability to acquire the required software/applications and hardware (see Course Materials section).
Suggested grade level: 7th to 12th grade
Suggested credit: 1 full semester Computer Science
Description
This is part two of an entry-level course, which is designed to expose students to what computer scientists do daily. In the second part of the course, the focus shifts to learning how to program within the context of visual arts. Students will create interactive and visual work such as photographs, drawings, and animations through writing software.
Students can choose from three levels of abilities:
1) Level One – no or little previous Java programming experience
2) Level two – less than a year Java programming experience
3) Level Three – more than a year Java programming experience
The goal in learning Java is to prepare students in the event that they eventually take the AP Computer Science A (Java programming).
Additionally, we will incorporate parts of the “Pixar in a Box” curriculum into the course. By the end of the class, students will be able to discern whether further programming courses such as AP Computer Science A (Java Programming) would be a good fit for them.
Outline
Week 1: Introduction to Processing
Week 2: Drawing and Color
Week 3: Variables
Week 4: Flow and Interactivity
Week 5: Repetition and Unit Project
Week 6: Text and Typography
Week 7: Images and Transformations
Week 8: Vertices, Shapes, and 3D
Week 9: Unit Project, Calculations, Randomness
Week 10: Time, Motion, Functions
Week 11: Objects, Arrays
Week 12: Animation, Interfaces
Week 13: Cumulative Project
Materials and Homework
Course materials:
Three options of ability level are offered:
1) Level One – no or little previous Java programming experience – Processing (offline).
2) Level two – less than a year of Java programming experience – Java Programming – CS Java by Runestone Academy ($10 donation to Runestone Academy).
3) Level Three – more than a year of Java programming experience – Unity Personal Edition.
Due to the rising cost of textbooks, students can choose from three options:
1) Processing A Programming Handbook for Visual Designers and Artists 2nd Edition,
ISBN-13: 9780262028288 (https://amzn.to/30l8OpK). You can also purchase the 1st edition available here. We suggest purchasing from used book sites; for example, bookfinder.com may assist you.
2) Processing A Programming Handbook for Visual Designers and Artists 1st Edition, ISBN-13: 978-0262182621, https://amzn.to/3AJxvxu
3) Learning Processing, ISBN: 9780123736024, Available on Bookfinder.com
Access to a PC or MAC computer is required (the downloadable software does not work well on Chromebooks or tablets).
Homework: All assignments will be appropriate for a Catholic homeschool environment. All assignments are given and graded by the instructor. Students will also collaborate with fellow students and mentor them when needed to reinforce their knowledge by helping others. Students can expect 2 to 5 hours of time per week (outside of class time) dedicated to homework. Regular feedback will be provided to the students and their parents to ensure that all are aware of the progress being made throughout the course.
Important Dates
Class dates: Tuesdays, January 9 to April 16, 2024 (No class Feb. 13 or March 26 for Holy Week)
Starting time: 4:00 PM Eastern (3:00 Central; 2:00 Mountain; 1:00 Pacific)
Duration: 60 minutes per live, interactive class. Pre-recorded lessons are 20-30 minutes.
Registration link
