Goal
The goal of the independent projects are for students to explore a variety computer science topics.
Requirements
Since there are too many topics which will be covered, Mr. Didier does not have time to directly teach you the individual subjects. Thus, you are responsible for finding tutorials or videos to teach you about these topics. Mr. Didier can assist you in learning the topics as well as finding tutorials, but you are responsible for your own learning.
Topics
Programming
- Scratch:
- Create a game using block-style programming. This is a great introduction to programming, but it is not script (text) based programming.
- This is a web-based program that will run on any web browser and your Chromebook.
- Python
- Purpose: General all-purpose language used academic and scientific areas.
- Difficulty: It is one of the easier languages to learn.
- Tech needed: Code Academy and other tutorials have built-in, web-based Python editors and will run on your Chromebooks.
- Tutorial: Code Academy
- Java Script and HTML
- Purpose: Used to make web pages more dynamic.
- Difficulty: It is a medium difficult language to learn.
- Tech needed: Kahn Academy and other tutorial sites have built-in, web-based Java Script editors and will run on your Chromebooks.
- Tutorial: Khan Academy
- Java:
- Purpose: Still the most widely used languages for software applications, like Android apps. This is the language taught in AP Computer Science.
- Difficulty: It is one of the more difficult languages to learn.
- Tech needed: There is no easy Java editor for the Chromebooks. You will need to use one of the school laptops or a home computer.
- Tutorials:
- Udemy: Video Based
- GA Virtual Learning: Text based
- C#
- Purpose: A general purpose language for software development and gaming. It is the language used in Computer Game Design with Unity.
- Difficulty: It is a medium difficult language to learn.
- Tech needed: As this is often learned in conjunction with the Unity game design engine, you will need a school laptop or home computer to do this. We don't have an editor for the Chromebook.
- Tutorial: Unity Tutorials
- C++
- Purpose: Another script language similar to C# and Java used for software development and game design.
- Difficulty: medium difficulty similar to C#.
- C++ also requires special software that will not run on the Chromebooks. You will need to use a school laptop or home computer.
- Tutorial: Code Academy C++ Tutorial
Game Design
- Scratch
- Unity (Game Design prep) :
- Unity Tutorials
Graphics
- Gimp, Photoshop, Illustrator 2D graphics (Digital Arts prep)
- Blender: 3D graphics (Computer Graphics and Modeling prep)
- Graphics and Modeling Class Home Page
Audio / Music Production
- Garageband (Digital Music Production prep)
- Songwriters Studio: Beginner Garageband video tutorials
- Garage Band Guide: Beginner Garageband video tutorials
- Ableton Live, Propellerhead Reason, Native Instruments Komplete
- Collective Intelligence: Ableton Live video tutorials
- Ableton Push: Ableton Push video tutorials
Robotics
- Building and programming Lego robots (Robotics I prep)
- Programming Arduino Robotic Car
Electronics
- Arduino/Galileo: programming electronics (Electronics prep)
Business Applications
- Google Docs or Sildes (Desktop Publishing prep)
- Google Sheets (Information Management prep)
Web Page Desing
- HTML with Kahn Academy
- Google Sites
- Adobe Spark: create simple graphic web pages, videos, and graphics.
Video Editing
- iMovie or Adobe Premiere (Video Production prep)
Computer Maintenance and Repair
- Tear apart and rebuild a computer.
- Reinstall and operating system.
- Must work under the supervision of a Computer Maintenance student.
GIS (Geographic Information Systems)
- Satellite mapping data.