Robotics Learning Java Class Web Pages

www.RoboticsLearning.com/java

This page is for students enrolled in the Java programming classes taught by Steve Putz and Robotics Learning. If you have questions, email info@RoboticsLearning.com or phone 408-910-1176.

"Java Programming for Kids" Class at De Anza College
starts February 3, 2010 (6:30 PM in room L-61)

Class Materials

If you are registered for this class, please send the student's name and parent's email address to me at
info@RoboticsLearning.com and I will send you instructions for setting up your computer before the first class.

Class Description:

This class is a beginner's introduction to Java programming, for kids in grades 7 through 9. Older students and adults are also welcome to register. Programming concepts and techniques are introduced and practiced through a series of fun programming examples. Topics include: using variables, creating a Java applet, simple graphics, defining new object classes, interactive applet with buttons, animation, creating a simple interactive game. 90 minute class sessions include time to work on the programs with help from the instructor. Some homework time is required to complete the lessons. Students should bring their own laptop computer (PC or Mac), or arrange with the instructor for use of a computer (for an extra fee). Software is provided at the first class.

This will be a link to the class materials for the Java Programming for Kids short course class at De Anza College. that begins on 2/3/2010.
You will be contacted by the instructor prior to the first class and given a login and password, as well as instructions about installing the necessary Java software and class materials on your computer. Or email info@RoboticsLearning.com to get a login and password (include the student name and phone number in your request).
IMPORTANT: Each student must have a laptop computer to use during class. If you need to use a computer provided by the instructor during class, contact info@RoboticsLearning.com for details and cost.

"Java Greenfoot Games and Simulations" Class at De Anza College
starts April 21, 2010

Class Description:

This class is an introduction to programming games and simulations using the Greenfoot Java programming framework, for kids in grades 8 through 10. Older students and adults are also welcome to register. Some prior programming experience is recommended. Greenfoot provides a framework for easily programming interactive 2-D simulations and games based on a World and Actor model. Programming concepts and techniques are introduced and practiced through a series of fun programming examples such as creating animal and physics simulations and simple interactive games. Students will using the Java programming language to define objects, variables and methods for implementing their simulations and games. 90 minute class sessions include time to work on the programs with help from the instructor. Some homework time is required to complete the lessons. Students should bring their own laptop computer (PC or Mac), or arrange with the instructor for use of a computer (for an extra fee). Software is provided at the first class.

This will be a link to the class materials for the Java Programming for Kids short course class at De Anza College. that begins on 4/21/2010.
You will be contacted by the instructor prior to the first class and given a login and password, as well as instructions about installing the necessary Java software and class materials on your computer. Or email info@RoboticsLearning.com to get a login and password (include the student name and phone number in your request).
IMPORTANT: Each student must have a laptop computer to use during class. If you need to use a computer provided by the instructor during class, contact info@RoboticsLearning.com for details and cost.

(April 2009 Java for Kids Class Notes)
(February 2009 Java for Kids Class Notes)
(October 2008 Java for Kids Class Notes)
(February 2008 Java for Kids Class Notes)
(Fall 2006 Beginning Java Class Notes)
(March 2006 Intermediate Java Class Notes)

General Java Resources

For Beginning level Java classes, I will be using the BlueJ interactive Java environment. BlueJ can be downloaded from:

www.bluej.org

For Intermediate level classes I will be using Greenfoot, which can be downloaded from:

www.greenfoot.org

To use BlueJ (or Greenfoot or NetBeans), you need to have the Java SE SDK on your computer. It should not matter which version you have for the beginning Java class (but I recommend version 6). Apple computers running MacOS X or later already have a Java SDK installed. On Windows (XP, 2000, Vista), you should install the Software Development Kit (labeled SDK or JDK), not the runtime environment (JRE), not the Enterprise Edition. And I normally recommend not using a beta version. See:

JDK 6
JDK 5

Java Notes by Fred Swartz

Nicely organized notes on many aspects of Java programming.

The Java Tutorial

This is an excellent collection of web pages providing tutorials and reference material for leaving Java. It can be browsed online or a copy can be downloaded to your computer.
Just a few of the most useful sections include:

Java API Documentation (for JDK 6)

These web pages document the standard Java class packages for Java 6.
You can browse the Java documentation on the internet, or download a local copy onto your computer.
The original Java documentation is available from http://java.sun.com/javase/6/docs/

(look for the "Download this documentation" button at the top, then the "Java SE 6 Documentation" section)
After downloading the file "jdk-6-doc.zip" to your computer:

if you are using NetBeans, use the "Javadoc Manager" tool to mount this documentation for use in NetBeans (no need to unzip).
or unzip the contents to a folder on your computer and view the top level "index.html" file with your web browser.
if you are using BlueJ, use the Tools>Preferences menu to set the JDK documentation URL to the index file on your computer.

This documentation is also available in a very convenient searchable Windows Help File and HTML Help versions.

You can download these versions from http://www.allimant.org/javadoc/index.php

Some useful Java API documentation sections include:

java.lang
java.io
java.awt (includes the Graphics class)

Java Programming for Kids, Parents and Grandparents

This is a book for teaching Java to kids. I have a copy, but have not used it in teaching my classes.