Sehome Programming is a chance to explore and learn how to program, design and code software.
The Course
In this course, you will learn to design, code, debug, and compile structured and object-oriented applications using Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0. This class is a student-centered hands-on environment, where your instructor is one of many resources. By the time you finish this course, you will be creating quality applications, and will have learned the fundamental concepts of programming that are portable to any development tool. Even if you have no plans for a future career in Information Technologies, your experience here will teach you problem solving and reasoning skills better than any other high school course you can take. Programming is, at its heart, solving problems via logical thinking.
Homework/Assessment
The class is not assessed like a regular math class. The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge of the material by developing programs that work correctly. There will be some written work assigned but for the most part the students will be asked to create applications using Visual Basic. This will entail writing flowcharts, discussing ideas with partners, and researching (using the book, the internet, help on-line and the teacher) the logic, semantics, and syntax of Visual Basic.
Please refer to grading standards for breakdown of requirements.
The Teacher's Job
In this course, the teacher shall perform the following functions:
· obtain and provide the necessary resources for all programming students
· provide a challenging and coherent curriculum with high standards and expectations
· verbally explain and discuss conceptual topics with the class
· choose critical content which is fundamental and transferable
· help students with individual questions
· expect professional behavior and ethics from all students in the class
· protect school property (the computer network) from malicious or mischievous acts of vandalism
· enforce strict policy on acceptable network use
The Student's Job
In this course, you (the student) are expected to:
· strictly adhere to the computer use policy
· learn and practice good programming from the book, Lesson Tasks, Major Projects, classmates, and the teacher
· be in your assigned seat, ready for class to begin
· finish all assignments on time
· try solving problems on your own using the book and help before referring to the teacher
· do all you can to help yourself and others learn... sometimes this means allowing others to "figure it out for themselves!"
· treat yourself and everyone in the class with respect... remember, you're learning to be "professional."
· learn some valuable skills
When you are absent
Approach the teacher at an appropriate moment (not at the beginning or the very end of a class) and discuss the steps to make up the material missed. Coming in after or before school, completing a make-up assignment, etc.
Making the Grade
Your grade in this course depends heavily on what you demonstrate that you have learned. There are three categories in the grading system: Participation, Lesson Tasks, and Major Projects.
Participation: This is a programming class and that is what you are expected to do. The class needs to work together and help each other out. Spending time on the Internet, doing homework for another class, causing problems in class, messing with the computers, basically slacking off, and being absent are ways to loose participation points. I keep a running log.
Lesson Tasks are small programs students create and short answers students write out to questions that are given at the conclusion of each new lesson. Each Lesson (working through the text tutorials and completing the Lesson Tasks) will be given a due date depending on the topic (two to eight days after handed out).
Each lesson will come with a break down of the requirements needed to achieve levels of credit.
Many lessons will be followed by a quiz on the material.
Major Projects are larger, more time-consuming applications developed by individuals. I estimate that we will have two major projects during the semester, the final project being a culmination of all that a student has learned in this course.
Getting the Grade:
Participation 30%
Lesson Tasks 45%
Major Projects 25%
A 92.5% - 100%
A- 89.5% - 92.4%
B+ 87.5% - 89.4%
B 82.5% - 87.4%
B- 79.5% - 82.4%
Etc.
Cut off for an F is 63%