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.
This course is entry-level and will cover many programming fundamentals for those with little-to-no programming experience or for those that are familiar with programming with an interest in learning the Python programming language. Students will be “writing” executable code very early in the course and build upon their skills throughout the course with an ever-expanding set of commands. Throughout the course, students will have an opportunity to share computer programs of their own design.
Total classes: 15
Prerequisite: Helpful but not required: Computer Programming 101 (Recorded). Instructions on how to install the Python programming languages and the PyGame module will be given during the first lecture (free downloads from http://www.python.org and http://www.pygame.org). Python is available for multiple computer operating systems. The student should have a general familiarity with computers – the ability to open applications, use menu-driven commands, and type using the keyboard – so that the emphasis of time can be placed on specific programming lessons.
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th
Suggested credit: One full semester Computer Science
Description
Computer programming develops creativity, reasoning, and problem-solving in the mind of the student. It provides an opportunity for the programmer to create a completely new piece of software that can be used and shared with others. During development, the programmer thinks through the proper sequence of instructions and logic needed by the computer to execute the program. And when programs don’t perform as expected, problem-solving techniques are utilized to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
This course is entry-level and will cover many programming fundamentals for those with little-to-no programming experience or for those that are familiar with programming with an interest in learning the Python programming language. Students will be “writing” executable code very early in the course and build upon their skills throughout the course with an ever-expanding set of commands. Throughout the course, students will have an opportunity to share computer programs of their own design.
This course has an emphasis on gaming aspects of programming utilizing the PyGame module with its graphical interface, ability to utilize a keyboard and/or mouse controls, use of sprites, randomization for changing the user’s experience, and more. These Catholic-themed games will promote the child’s interest in programming while also reinforcing elements of Catholicism.
The Python programming language is taught in this course is a widely popular modern computer language and one of the easiest computer languages to use (and there are MANY out there). Once the basics of programming are mastered, individuals find it easier to learn more complex programming languages.
Two games will be built together with the students but ultimately each student will make the program with their own flair (choice of graphics, sounds, etc.). The first game, “Vice and Virtue”, is an endurance game that has the player avoiding contact with vices moving on the screen while also encouraging contact with the opposite virtues (which destroy their opposing vices).
The second game is a “You Don’t Know Catholicism” trivia game with different types of questions and mini-games that allows multiple players to compete while learning more about Scripture, the Catechism, and more.
Outline
Lecture 1: Software installation and setup; writing a basic program to test the setup
Lecture 2: Drawing lines, shapes, and pictures onto the screen; Working with variables; Randomization
Lecture 3: Begin “Vice & Virtue” program; Blocks of code; Using loops to perform repeated actions; Using lists and tuples; Creating animation
Lecture 4: Logic conditions of IF and ELSE; Keyboard and mouse inputs
Lecture 5: Finish ‘Vice & Virtue’ program; Reusing code with Functions and Modules; Triggering sounds and playing music; Quiz 1
Lecture 6: The use of classes and objects; Start “You Don’t Know Catholicism” trivia game
Lecture 7: Loading questions into “You Don’t Know Catholicism” trivia game
Lecture 8: Working on “You Don’t Know Catholicism” trivia game
Lecture 9: Loading random background images into the “You Don’t Know Catholicism” trivia game
Lecture 10: Outlining overall program and breaking it down into smaller, manageable pieces; Capturing player information; Establish scoring system
Lecture 11: Adding more graphics, spoken voice, and other sound effects to “You Don’t Know Catholicism” trivia game
Lecture 12: Debugging issues with “You Don’t Know Catholicism” trivia game
Lecture 13: Explore Final Development options
Lecture 14: Add final touches to “You Don’t Know Catholicism” trivia game
Lecture 15: Adding final touches to “You Don’t Know Catholicism” trivia game; General discussion; Closing remarks; Final Exam
Materials and Homework
Course Materials: All provided free by the instructor.
Homework: Students can expect one to three hours of homework each week outside of the classroom. This is in the form of computer programs that need to be worked on and submitted. Additional time may be needed to experiment with programs of their own design.
