Computer Science curriculum questions
- teach OOP first or teach them early vs late in the curriculum?
- Java vs C++ vs C++ vs Python vs Scheme vs VB
- programming-language centered (Java, VB, C++) vs application-centered (e.g. Alice, Scratch) vs an overview of the whole discipline
- Should computer science be a required course? Yes, according to this article http://www.csteachlearn.com/docs/whycs.pdf
Miscellaneous Computer Science Teacher Links
Programming for Kids
- Alice - A great educational programming environment for all ages. Project ideas and more at GA Tech
- Stagecast - programming environment for middle school students
- CeeBot - programming environment for middle school students
- Scratch - a 2D, drag-and-drop elementary programming environment; well-suited for middle school students; fun games in online gallery
- PicoCrickets - robotic legos especially for girls
- Pleo Robots -
- 4 hour workshops at Ga Tech - http://coweb.cc.gatech.edu/ice-gt/1460
Game Authoring Environments
- YoYo Games - GameMaker software is free and you can drag and drop to make games
- Microsoft
- Dark GDK - graphical game environment especially for Visual C++
- XNA Game Studio Express - free download that can be used to create Windows, XBOX 360 & Zune games - see blogs.msdn.com/alfredth & search on the XNA keyword from the tag cloud
- verysillygames.com - simple sample XNA & C# games & curriculum
- popfly.com - a Microsoft website that uses Silverlight to allow you to create web pages and games using drag and drop
- Java
- Greenfoot - Java framework that can be used to create games & more
- Golden T Game Engine (GTGE) - free Java game programming
- FANG Engine - open source 2D Java gaming engine that's simple enough for novice programmers from 5th grade and up
Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Teacher Links
High School Teacher & College Professor websites
Computer Science & Educational Technology Conferences:
Professional Organizations:
Technology
Plan Guides & Technology Standards
Course Management Systems
- review
& comparison of all course management systems at edutools.com
- free
- inexpensive
- myclass.net - teachers can create their own individual web site with student & parent
logins
- haikulearning.com - $5/m, similar to Moodle
- eClassroom - teachers can post syllabi, grades, lecture notes & presentations, online
assessment, internal email, chat, threaded discussions
- ClearLearning.com offers a program called Test Pilot that allows you to create and administer
tests over the Web or an intranet.
- full-featured, expensive
- Blackboard.com - can be used by individual teachers for free, post lessons & assignments,
host chats, distribute documents & class materials, online assessment,
used at the Hill School
& Twin
Valley
- eSchool
Online - owned by Classroom Connect, Java based, assessment tools
- eChalk.com - a comprehensive school portal
- K12Planet is used by Gov. Mifflin
Online Quiz / Tests
- mygradebook.com - create your own online quizzes ($50/yr)
- 4teachers.org/tools & quizstar.4teachers.org - create online quizzes
- quia.com/web - $200/yr, matching game, flash cards, ordered list activity, scavenger hunt, etc Quizzes with all kidns of question types.
Other
- surveymonkey.com - free survey generator
- puzzlemaker.com - students or teachers can create all kinds of puzzles
- www.apte.com/puzzles - students or teachers can create all kinds of puzzles
- teach-nology.com - printable worksheets, rubrics, etc
- screencast-o-matic - free, web-based, make screen recordings w/ audio, 15 mins or less, does not work on extended monitor
- Jingproject.com - application that allows you to make screen recordings, even on extended monitor, 5 mins or less, must save as swf file, screen snapshots also, free & pay version
- curriki.org - free, online textbook initiative by Scott McNealy, former Sun CEO