We searched for a computer course for our son to go through last school year. All I could find were books that were written for adults who already knew about computer programming. This year we are going to try TeenCoder. I think my 13 year old will really enjoy this. He may even fly through the first semester that is about Windows Programming just so he can get to the semester about Game Programming. Once we have been through this course I'll do a second blog on how this program went for him. I am so glad that he doesn't need prior programming experience and I don't have to know much about computers to help him. His computer knowledge has already surpassed my knowledge anyway. =)
I am copying and pasting this description from their web site:
The TeenCoder Series of C# courses is aimed at older students looking for a more in-depth study of computer programming. These courses can be used for high school computer elective credit, enhancing transcripts, and preparing a college-bound student for a technical degree.
Topics covered in Windows Programming:
- Introduction to the C# programming language
- Creating Windows Forms
- Using dialog controls
- C# data types and variables
- User input and flow control
- Math functions and string operations
- C# debugging and exception handling
- Object-oriented programming concepts
- Classes, inheritance, and polymorphism
- Collections, sorting, and recursion
- File Input/Output
Topics covered in Game Programming:
- Introduction to the XNA Game Studio
- Game design, game engines, and timer loops
- Screen coordinates and color concepts
- Drawing, scaling, and rotating images
- Handling keyboard, mouse, and XBox 360 Gamepad controller inputs
- Creating Sprite objects
- Collision detection
- 2D animation techniques
- Playing music and sound effects
- Game physics
- Maze generation and solution algorithms
- Menus, overlays, and deployment models
- Multi-player scrolling games
- Game artificial intelligence (AI)
Looks like a TeenCoder Year Pack will cost about 155. + shipping and handling. I'm hoping to win it though!!
There is also a pack for elementary age kids called KidCoder.
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