Teen Coder: Java and Android {Curriculum Review}

The Mosaic Review Team was provided with different levels of a computer programming software to use with our homeschoolers and review for our readers. I received the high school levels and found them challenging but rewarding. If you have a student that is interested in learning to program, or an older student that needs a high school credit.. this is a great option. The high school levels are broken down into semesters so you can either use it for an elective half credit or a full year credit by completing both courses.

Product Background:

Homeschool Programming, Inc. was founded by homeschooling parents who have B.S. and M.S. degrees in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering. They have a combined 17+ years of experience in the software industry.

Homeschool Programming, Inc. has a full-line of programming curriculum geared toward kids and teens.  Our reviews received a variety of products from the list below:

 

KidCoder: Beginning Web Design is the first semester course in the KidCoder Web series. 4th–12th grade students will learn to create their own web pages using HTML. Hands-on fun for all students, young or old!

KidCoder: Windows Programming is the first semester course in the KidCoder Visual Basic series. 6th–12th grade students will learn to write graphical Windows programs using the Visual Basic programming language.

KidCoder: Game Programming is the second semester course in our KidCoder Visual Basic series. Your student will be excited about each lesson!

TeenCoder: Java Programming is our first semester course in the TeenCoder Java series. This course introduces 9th-12th grade students to the Java programming language, a highly popular technology with many applications! Students will learn to create graphical and console applications using object-oriented design concepts.

TeenCoder: Android Programming is our second semester course in the TeenCoder Java Series. Students will use their Java knowledge and free Android Developers Tools for Eclipse to write their own mobile applications!

TeenCoder: Windows Programming is our first semester course in the TeenCoder C# series. This course introduces 9th-12th grade students to the C# programming language, Microsoft’s cutting edge technology! Students will learn to create graphical Windows applications using object-oriented design concepts.

TeenCoder: Game Programming is our second semester course in the TeenCoder C# Series. This course pairs the ‘C#’ programming language with Microsoft’s XNA Game Studio to provide a modern, easy to use game-creation framework. Students will be thrilled to learn how to write their own Windows games from scratch!

 

As you can see they have a course for all levels and skill sets. Personally, we were challenged..starting with the installation but that ended up being the curse of Windows 8! Once we got that issue resolved we found the course detailed enough for the novice student to create script and the more advanced student learned more in one semester than the entire previous year struggling with another program. We will be continuing with this software and would recommend it to anyone that wants their student to have a step up or an introduction to programming.

For us, the bonus was being able to use it to study for AP testing. I honestly believe this will help both my students as they prepare for testing at the end of next year.

As for me, well this brain hasn’t done much with programming since college and that was in.. well…a long time ago! I am thankful that this program starts with the assumption that you have NO SKILLS and not only teaches you HOW but WHY something is required. I am trying to write an android app for my blog’s mobile view and hope to have it launched by Christmas.

To learn more about this product line, you can connect with them online or on Facebook.

 
To read all of the team reviews of both TeenCoder and KidCoder, visit Mosaic Reviews