Learn to Teach Java: Writing Classes and Arrays
This course Learn to Teach Java will support you in teaching the Advanced Placement Computer Science A course or a similar introductory university-level programming course.
About this Course
Learn to program using Class design and 1-D Arrays in Java, and prepare to teach others using the free, online interactive CS Awesome textbook. In this course for teachers we’ll guide you in learning, Learn to Teach Java Java concepts and skills but also in how to effectively teach those to your students.
We’ll cover the critical Java concepts of class design and 1-dimensional arrays, as covered in the APCS A Units 5 and 6. Each topic will begin by relating Java to block-based programming languages and then provide video overviews of CS Awesome content along with additional materials to supplement learning for your students.
You’ll engage with additional materials to support your teaching including “deep dive” classroom discussion questions, assessment overviews, code tracing and problem solving skills for your students, including preparation for free-response coding questions.
Skills You Will Gain
- Java
- Arrays in 2100
- Computer Programming
- APCS A
- Classes
Syllabus
WEEK 1
1 hour to complete
Welcome!
Learn to Teach Java: Meet Dr. Simon and fellow learners in this class! Find out what you’ll be doing and learning.
2 videos (Total 10 min), 2 readings
3 hours to complete
Learn to Teach Java:Creating Classes (Unit 5): Learn as a Student
We’ve been using objects of classes created by others — now it’s our turn! Using CS Awesome, we’ll learn to design and create classes by encapsulating data and methods.
14 videos (Total 118 min)
WEEK 2
4 hours to complete
Writing Classes (Unit 5): Teacher Powerup
This week we’ll go deeper and engage with some resources to support your teaching. You’ll learn how these concepts are commonly assessed, but focus a LOT on how class creation can be assessed — especially on the APCS A free-response questions. Finally, you can check your own Unit 5 Java and Java Teacher mastery on our end of Unit 5 quizzes.
14 videos (Total 115 min)
WEEK 3
3 hours to complete
Arrays (Unit 6): Learn as a Student
Arrays extend the power of iteration to allow us to repeat instructions on (potentially) large sets of data. Want to store and calculate grades for an entire class of students? Want to find the minimum or maximum temperature in a file of historical temperature readings? Use arrays! Using CS Awesome, we’ll learn to create and iterate over 1-dimensional arrays and really start to ramp up our problem solving skills.
12 videos (Total 113 min), 1 reading, 4 quizzes
WEEK 4
3 hours to complete
Arrays (Unit 6): Teacher Powerup
This week we’ll go deeper and engage with some resources to support your teaching. You’ll explore some questions to use in classroom analysis discussions (Peer Instruction) and and learn how these concepts are commonly assessed. Again, we’ll look at the kinds of free response questions one can ask about arrays! Finally, you can check your own Unit 6 Java and Java Teacher mastery on our end of Unit 6 quizzes.
6 videos (Total 54 min), 1 reading, 3 quizzes
