Fund+of+prog+syllabus

Fundamentals of Programming
** 2008-2009  ** 
 * Instructor:** Mrs. Linda McDaniel
 * Extra Help:** C 135  3:00 – 3:30 (Monday – Thursday)
 * E-mail:** lmcdaniel@wesleyanschool.org
 * Website:** wesleyantech.wikispaces.com

This one semester course will consist of two parts. One part of the course will be using the program “Alice”. In Alice, the on-screen objects populate a 3D micro world. Students create programs by dragging and dropping program elements in a mouse based editor that prevents syntax errors. The Alice system provides a programming environment that supports methods, functions, variables, parameters, recursion, arrays and events. Students will produce one video and one interactive game using Alice. In the other part of the course, students will be learning to program using Lego robots. This is a very hands-on way to learn programming. Students will build and program robots to move, dance, respond to stimuli, etc. The emphasis is on developing algorithms and solving problems.   __Student Reference Text__: __ Learning to Program with Alice __ Dann, Wanda P. and Cooper, Stephen __Software__: Alice 2.0, Lego Mindstorms NXT
 * Course Description:**
 * Text/Materials:**

Tests 30%
 * Evaluation:** Your work in this class will be evaluated for the semester in the following way:

Projects   30%
Quizzes/Homework/Classwork 20%

Culminating Activity 20%
No final exam

__Make Up Work__: It is the student’s responsibility to obtain notes, handouts, and assignments when absent. Students are allowed the same number of days as they were absent to complete the missing work due to excused absences. If the student falls behind in his/her assignments, he/she can use the lab before or after school. If the first day absent is a test day, the student can expect to make up the test on the day of the return.
 * Course Policies:**

__Assignments__: All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date due. Late submission of assignments will be assessed a penalty of 10% per day. No exceptions will be made. __Academic Dishonesty__: Plagiarism and cheating are serious. The Honor Pledge will be followed. You may seek help and advice from others on your classroom assignments but they may not enter or change information for you – “Hands on your own computer.” Tests are to be done without help from other students or resources.

__Computer Time:__ During class you are to stay in the software program we are currently studying. You are not to play games or check your email during class. __Detentions will be given.__

__Robot Equipment:__ You are responsible for the robot which is assigned to you. Clean up around your workstation at the end of each period making sure all lego robot parts are returned to the box. Points will be deducted from your grade if pieces are lost during the semester.

__Food:__ No food is allowed in the computer lab at any time. This includes hard candy and mints.