CompuScholar Java Programming Review

I have a fun high school product to share with you today from Timberdoodle, Java Programming.  We were blessed to receive a one-year subscription for both B and C to use for 1 high school credit.  This introductory programming course using the Java language requires no previous programming experience.  You may remember our review of CompuScholar's Python Programming back in January 2020.  This course can be used as an introductory coding course or it can be used to prepare for the AP Computer Science A exam.  There are different syllabus options available for both options.  As previously mentioned, this course is intended to last approximately 2 semesters (1 high school credit upon completion); however, students can move at their own pace whether that be faster or slower.

The format for this Java Programming course is simple.  This course contains 24 required chapters and lessons with an optional additional 9 chapters and 4 supplemental chapters as well.

What topics are covered?

Required

• Chapter 1:  Computing Concepts
• Chapter 2:  Getting Started with Java
• Chapter 3:  Data Types and Variables
• Chapter 4:  Working with Numbers
• Chapter 5:  Introducing Objects
• Chapter 6:  Working with Strings
• Chapter 7:  Numbering Systems and Java Math
• Chapter 8:  Logic and Decision-Making
• Chapter 9:  More Complex Logic
• Chapter 10:  Handling Exceptions
• Chapter 11:  Debugging
• Chapter 12:  Iteration
• Chapter 13:  Algorithms
• Chapter 14:  Creating Java Classes
• Chapter 15:  Working with Methods
• Chapter 16:  Static Concepts
• Chapter 17:  Mid-Term Project
• Chapter 18:  1D Arrays
• Chapter 19:  Lists and ArrayLists
• Chapter 20:  Searching and Sorting
• Chapter 21:  2D Arrays
• Chapter 22:  Inheritance
• Chapter 23:  Polymorphism
• Chapter 24:  Recursion
  

Optional

• Chapter 25:  File Access
• Chapter 26:  Object Composition and Copying
• Chapter 27:  Team Project
• Chapter 28:  Running Java Locally
• Chapter 29:  The Eclipse IDE
• Chapter 30:  Graphical Java Programs
• Chapter 31:  Swing Input Controls
• Chapter 32:  Vector and Bitmap Images
• Chapter 33:  Program Efficiency
• Supplemental Chapter 1:  Enrichment Topics
• Supplemental Chapter 2:  Software and Industry
• Supplemental Chapter 3:  Computers and Modern Society
• Supplemental Chapter 4:  Computer Networking 

 

Every chapter contains multiple lessons.  Each lesson contains an instructional video, lesson text, followed by an automated quiz.  The lesson text is required reading, whereas the instructional videos are optional and made to re-enforce lesson text and I think really adds to this course.

 

 

Above you can see the beginning of the instructional video for the first lesson in Chapter 1.

 

And here is a snippet of the lesson text.

Within the lesson text pages there are live code boxes where students can write code directly into their web browser,  After executing it they can see the results.  Within the lessons are "Work with Me" sections for additional hands-on practice.  And each chapter also end with an auto-graded test.  Most chapters also contain additional homework exercises as well as a larger hands-on coding project where students demonstrate skills learned.

I really appreciate that all lesson quizzes, chapter tests, and hands-on coding projects are all auto-graded in this course.  Everything is completed online in a web browser.  I do want to mention that there are optional chapters that do offer projects that require and external IDE and would be teacher/parent graded if completed, but there are rubrics provided for that if you choose to have your student complete them.

I like that through my teacher account I have access to teacher's guides for lessons, both quiz and test answer keys, activity guides, etc.  We are using this course as a self-study so I am pretty much hands-off but I really appreciate having everything so if one of the kids needs help or a hint on something I can easily do this.

Java Programming is currently included in Timberdoodle's 11th grade curriculum kit.  If you are looking for an introductory programming course, this one is great.  CompuScholar's courses are well organized and makes coding very approachable for those with little or no previous programming knowledge.  It has become a go-to in our homeschool.

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  I received CompuScholar Java Programming in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

CompuScholar Python Programming Review

Did you know that the most popular introductory coding language taught in universities in the U.S. is Python?  I didn't.  So, what is Python?  Python is a general-purpose programming language that's easy to use and versatile.  CompuScholar Python Programming is a one-semester online course designed for students in middle school and high school (grades 6th - 12th) that teaches core programming concepts using Python.  It's a great introduction to Computer Science!  Your student will both create and run code directly in your web browser.  When Timberdoodle offered us the chance to include this course in our homeschool this year, we jumped on the opportunity.

A working on Python Programming via our desktop.

We had A (10th grade) start the program first.  She is well over halfway finished at this point and now B and C (8th and 7th grade) are also working through CompuScholar Python Programming and I couldn't be more thrilled.

What topics are covered?  Topics include printing and user input, data types and variables, logical expression and flow control, debugging skills, lists and loops, working with numbers/dates/strings, writing and using functions, simple object-oriented programming and more!  While I understand some of this, programming is not my specialty.  I'm thankful that with CompuScholar Python Programming it doesn't need to be.  This course both teaches the material and auto-grades everything (lessons, quizzes, tests and coding projects), score!  This is a huge blessing to me.

How does it work?  Students write code directly into the online Python engine so no local software installation or file management is needed - another huge plus!  Each chapter includes lesson exercises as well as graded activities.

A's Character Art Activity from Chapter Three - Above you can see her code that she wrote into the Python engine.

Her program prompts for your name when you run it.

Above you can see her program when it has finished running.


Above you can see A's dashboard.  This was when she first started this program so she was at 0% with her progress.


Here you can see that she is 64% done with the program at this point.

She currently has a 94.61 in the class.

We can also get an overview report of all of her grades - quizzes, activities, tests, etc.  You can see some of them above.  I really appreciate this.

A is really enjoying this program and she should finish it soon.  She is also on course to get an A (hopefully A+).  She told me that she enjoys the structure of the course - she watches the lesson video, then she reads the lesson text which recaps the video with additional information, she takes the quiz and completes the activities and exams as instructed.  It's a great self-study and self-paced course that counts as a 1 semester or .5 credit course (~ 90 hours).  Once enrolled students have access to it for a year so that gives them flexibility with their pace.  CompuScholar Python Programming has been a huge blessing for our homeschool family!

CompuScholar Python Programming is an outstanding component of Timberdoodle's 11th Grade Curriculum Kit.  If you have a middle schooler or high schooler looking for a self-paced introductory course to Computer Science I would highly recommend this one.

{Update:  A, B and C have all finished this course and they all received an A+.  I'm so proud of them and it was super fun to see them work together on the final project where they created a Dog Trick School.  I really appreciate that this course graded almost everything for me!  I did have to grade the final project though.}

Disclosure:  Huge shout out to Timberdoodle for selecting me as a Timberdoodle Blogger.  Timberdoodle sent my family the CompuScholar Python Programming in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are my own.