New Computer App teacher looking for help

Okay, this is probably going to come across as very strange, so I'll give you a little background.

I graduated with a bachelor's degree in Instrumental Music Education in 2004 and proceeded to take on a band directing job for my first year of teaching. I passed my residency, but due to some administrative shifts, I lost my job and have recently taken on a new job.

The strange part? I teach Computer Applications. Something that has absolutely nothing to do with my degree. Unless I taught them Sibelius or Finale *shrugs*

Anyhow, right now all I have is beginning computer app. This I can handle--basic typing, Microsoft Office applications, building simple websites using Publisher, and using the Internet efficiently. This is plenty to fill a semester.

Next semester, however, I am required to teach Advanced Computer applications. I think I have a whopping 5 students in that class (it's a small charter school) Several of them have approached me with a desire to learn C++ but I have never used it.

What books would be useful for me, and what software would I need? I would have to put it on enough computers to support the class...however, the school is young and has room to grow so I might need more in the future. What kind of cost would I be looking at? How long should it take me to learn how to use this (I am a quick learner)? And finally, is it really worth the time to teach high schoolers this program? I teach in a college prep school so these kids are no strangers to a little hard work, but would there be another programming option that I could teach them?

I could also use more information on html and the more difficult options when it comes to website building, but I know this really isn't the forum. If anyone can direct me to a better place, I'd appreciate it!

I'd love to continue teaching this class as I find it much more fun than what I was doing (I still love what I did last year but this isn't quite as stressful :D ) so any input would be appreciated!

Thanks!

I don't really have any book recommendations, but a board search should turn up some, and I'm sure others could recommend some.

As for the software, with such a small class I suppose you might just want a free IDE/Compiler (Dev-C++ being the best I know of). Microsoft Visual Studio is great if you have the money, and they offer Academic versions (basically, you get a discount). You might check out this page.

And I can't really say how long it would take you to learn it (especially to the point where you could teach much), but I personally think it's a great thing for high schoolers to learn. (I'm a high schooler myself!)

Quote:

---

What books would be useful for me, and what software would I need?

---

I would highly...highly recommend.
Problem Solving with C++ The Object of Programming by Walter Savitch
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846
It also comes with the Student Edition of Visual C++ 6.0 (you would want to update that edition on the CD with the latest service pack download from microsoft.com).

It not only teaches you how to program, but it also teaches the theory and how things are working in the background. But it is never too much information at once, very well paced. Plenty of examples and every example code in the book comes on a CD ready to run or tweak yourself.


I tried learning to program for years on my own, but I could never find a book with enough information, or vice versa it had too much information, they never “flowed” right, and where just hard to read. I finally decided to take programming in College, this was the text book and I was like “wow, I wish I had tried this book before I put out all this money”. Even though I would still take the class( counts as my foreign language).

Quote:

---

But would there be another programming option that I could teach them?

---

To tie that into your next question about web design.
HTML creation in raw form (not using a program to do everything) is considered programming. Learning syntax and how to apply it. I suspect you would also find it easier to keep them interested in that since it would be “cool” to have their own website.

http://www.w3schools.com/html/default.asp


Good luck.

Teach yourself C++ in 21 days is pretty good and could fill alot more than 21 days. I haven't seen some things that I might have wanted in the book yet, but I will keep looking.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the html site!

I had been looking at the Savitch book earlier this evening. I like that it comes with a version of C++ that I could work with at home so I can spend some time learning it.

You would think, me being the computer teacher, that I would have the authority to upload/download software onto my computers but alas, they have 2 engineering majors who do that stuff. I already know it's going to be a blast explaining to them why I need them to put C++ on my computers lol. :rolleyes:

I'll be speaking with my administrators about finding a reduced price for this program. Already some students who are in my beginning class said they would like to take the advanced course with me next semester if they are allowed. I think that's kind of cool...kids who *want* to be in my class :D

Anyway, thanks for the help! I will probably buy that book and get started on it next week. And the html site is just too much fun. It's like a month's worth of lesson plans already made :cool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by beanroaster

Teach yourself C++ in 21 days is pretty good and could fill alot more than 21 days.

---

Having read it and I would have to disagree, as have others on this forum (although google.com cache results show some people though it was a good book, back in 1999-2001); I used to say it was a good book also, but that was because I was a newbie. Check amazon.com reviews.

I would recommend starting the class out on this next book, and you'll probably see some more people on this forum agree
Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example
by Andrew Koenig
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

Its a great book to begin learning the programming language, and quite small (350 pages) so its meant to teach the language and not the definitions of everything.

The next book, and its solution book, start out on the basics too, but give a good description and complete definitions of everything in the language (function prototype, function heading/body, preprocessor directive, using directive, and some more descriptive ones I cant remember, in addition to the regulars: pointers, references, objects, etc.). Its a good reference, and is 1200 pages.
C++ Primer Plus, 5th Edition
by Stephen Prata
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...books&n=507846

C++ Primer Answer Book
by Clovis L. Tondo
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books


Then there is a book written by the creator of C++. It contains a lot of information on the language, and is a great reference, although quite advanced and gets into the knity grity.
The C++ Programming Language, Special 3rd Edition
by Bjarne Stroustrup ISBN 0-201-70073-5
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

C++ Solutions: Companion to the C++ Programming Language, 3rd Edition
by David Vandevoorde
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books


The STL (Standard Template Library) is a major use in C++ now a days. It's logical that after finishing basic C++ that you would move onto learning the STL. Although I'd make sure you actually do know the basics (how objects, variables, etc. work). This next book is highly rated and can be used as a reference (best choice when it comes to STL), but again.. advanced:
The C++ Standard Library: A Tutorial and Reference
by Nicolai M. Josuttis
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...glance&s=books

Site on STL: http://www.sgi.com/tech/stl/stl_introduction.html

Assigning projects on algorithms and binary trees, or arrays, and linked lists would be useful, as they arent just things you find pointless, but have good use in programs.

For Windows based computers I'd get Dev-Cpp.. fairly easy to use and good for beginners to experts.
http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html


As for HTML.. well you can learn the basic HTML syntax to give an idea how to structure an HTML document, but a more standard way of developing HTML documents is to use a fair amount of CSS (like header files) in it. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) are like a wrapper for HTML and is highly efficient. I would recommend using Macromedia Dreamweaver for developing HTML websites, and not Publisher or Frontpage. Its trial for 30 days, but I dont know what it would cost to put it in a school.

The cost of the books would be about $250, unless you're getting multiple copies. But I would only get multiple copies of the book you plan on teaching with (in my opinion Accelerated C++), and the rest used as reference. You could also get the PDF version and allow students to access it over a networked server.

It should take you a month max to pick up the basics of C++, up to polymorphism, exceptions, inheritance (I mean a month for you, not the students, students.. 75 hours, maybe longer, about 2 and a half months on my school system, less than a month on-your-own 5 hours/day time). Then probably a month to wrap it up and apply STL to it. Thats it for C++, essentially (unless you want to go into details of every function, like streams, which you could still get a good idea about). After that its about learning how to do things with C++, like algorithms, graphics libraries, API, ports, etc. and those books would be bought individually. I doubt you'd get as far as that though.. and if you did, you could just distract the class with a few win32 tutorials (windows programming). This would be a nice choice, since its layed out like notes and in sections (like a class):
http://code.glowdot.com/tutorials/wi...ial.php?page=2

You could teach Java, but C++ is well worth it (more than Java, or any other language I can think of).

Quote:

---

I'll be speaking with my administrators about finding a reduced price for this program.

---

You do not have to use Visual C++, it is just the one that comes with the book I refered to.
You can use this one:
http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html

Totally free!

Assuming you are using windows, Dev-C++ should be fine. Visual C++ is very nice despite its price, but be careful about using version 6.0 (or earlier). It is out-dated but many still use it, which is not necessarily a good thing.

Accelerated C++ is the most commonly recommended book for learning C++. I don't know how well it would work in a classroom setting, maybe very well, maybe not. The latest edition of C++ in 21 days is not bad, but if these kids are ready for some hard work then Koenig and Moo's book is probably the best bet. I agree with Dae's list, although I doubt the students would need anything beyond the first three. Maybe you could get a copy of the others for your and their reference.

One request, please do your best to teach modern C++, meaning standard code and C++ style. Read comp.lang.c++ and comp.lang.c++.moderated and these forums to get a feel for what is considered good, correct code versus what is frowned upon because it leads students into bad habits.

Here is a link to a PDF article I recently mentioned in another thread about Stroustrup's thoughts on how to teach the language:

http://www.research.att.com/~bs/new_learning.pdf

Good luck.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Daved

Assuming you are using windows, Dev-C++ should be fine. Visual C++ is very nice despite its price, but be careful about using version 6.0 (or earlier). It is out-dated but many still use it, which is not necessarily a good thing.

Accelerated C++ is the most commonly recommended book for learning C++. I don't know how well it would work in a classroom setting, maybe very well, maybe not. The latest edition of C++ in 21 days is not bad, but if these kids are ready for some hard work then Koenig and Moo's book is probably the best bet. I agree with Dae's list, although I doubt the students would need anything beyond the first three. Maybe you could get a copy of the others for your and their reference.

One request, please do your best to teach modern C++, meaning standard code and C++ style. Read comp.lang.c++ and comp.lang.c++.moderated and these forums to get a feel for what is considered good, correct code versus what is frowned upon because it leads students into bad habits.

---

Visual C++ also requires a handbook and there are usually seperate forum for problems with it, ;) while Dev-Cpp is much more simple to use and straight to the point of programming C++.

I wouldn't say Accelerated C++ is 'hard work' compared to C++ in 21 Days though, not sure Daved means that.. but thats how it came off. They are similar, and start off basic, but Accelerated C++ goes into an innovative way of teaching and tries to keep it interesting (starts off basic, but goes into concepts most books dont usually introduce early in the book as to produce grounds for the concept, which is something 1/3 reviewers said C++ in 21 Days lacked, besides using future-deprecated header files).

Also, comp.lang.c++ and comp.lang.c++.moderated are google newsgroups if you didnt know, http://groups.google.com/group/comp.lang.c++.moderated

All right, guys...riddle me this.

What about certification? How would I go about getting certified in C++ or would that even be necessary? I haven't had a chance to talk with my principal about the matter today, but the person in charge of ordering books told me to go ahead and get the ISBN number for the books I wanted so we can order them now. It takes awhile for schools to get books...go figure, they are only a little important!

I was looking at the Microsoft site and they have videos and other things about certification but I'm wondering if I need to find a class instead.

Quote:

---

I had been looking at the Savitch book earlier this evening. I like that it comes with a version of C++ that I could work with at home so I can spend some time learning it.

---

That might not be a good idea since the compiler is supposedly MSVC++6, which is rather outdated. I would go for the Accelerated C++ book instead, with Dev-C++, which uses the MinGW port of GCC for its compiler.

Quote:

---

What about certification? How would I go about getting certified in C++ or would that even be necessary?

---

I think that you should learn C++ before thinking about certification - getting certified wont help your students, it may (or may not) help you. What will help your students is for you to learn C++ well and teach it well.


Incidentally, you might want to consider HTML Dog as an alternative to W3Schools, which tends to teach things that are non-standard, deprecated, or browser specific.

Regarding certification, you COULD go for an MCSD with the emphasis on C++ (over VB). The MCSD is available for either. There is also the MCAD. If I recall, the MCAD is 3-4 exams and the MCSD is 5. In fact, if you get your MCSD, then you automatically have your MCAD. Exams are about $150 a piece. They are taken at a certified testing facility and are times exams. I've got my MCSD in VB. You'll have a few exams about the lanugage and a few about general business functions such as "Analyzing Business Requirements" or something like that.

Here is the thing! The language exams have little to do with the language itself and are mostly targeted at server requirements, setups, installation requirements, and what not. MS figures anyone can learn to code

Code:

---

int intNumber = 0;

---

and therefore they test you more about the harder skills of understanding how to make it all work.

I don't recommend it for first time programmers. I think you'd be better off to get a year of teaching it and then look into the certification and decide if there is a benefit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Enahs

To tie that into your next question about web design.
HTML creation in raw form (not using a program to do everything) is considered programming.

---

HTML creation is not programming. It is word processing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rashakil Fol

HTML creation is not programming. It is word processing.

---

Scripting?

All right, I'm definitely holding off on the certification for now. $150 for each test? I'm a teacher! I don't have that kind of money :D

Really the certification just sounds like something I'm not ready for. But I think I could learn C++ quickly if the need arises.

Thanks for all the input!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rashakil Fol

HTML creation is not programming. It is word processing.

---

http://dictionary.reference.com/sear...%20programming
"n : creating a sequence of instructions to enable the computer to do something"

That is what HTML code does. I did not claim it is as hard/usefull/in depth/the same kind of programming as C++. But I would still consider it programming (if you do it in a text editor).

HTML documents are not sequences of instructions; they consist of markup that describes text and other media.

The word 'programming' has varied usage, and a debate would certainly be interesting but hardly relevant to the thread. Let's call it quits here.

kellijhae,

First, good to see another teacher on this site.

I teach programming, applications and XHTML course during my +5 years time at a two year college:

Some advice:

1. First do your homework. You seem to be very cheerful and wanting to do well.

But do you really know what you are getting into. You seem to want to do everything in computers for everyone. Programming and applications are different areas and philosophies. Would you really be doing them any good trying to do everything vs. focusing on certain areas: like applications.

Some Questions for you:

1. What level are you teaching at? High School. Say this...

2. What do other schools offer in the same area.

3. What kind of computers do you have.

4. What are the abiliity levels of your students (VERY important).

5. What do you want to accomplish?

6. Contant textbook publishers and other teachers.

Answer those questions first- then post again I will try to help more

Mr. C.

Why MisterC... it's been two months...

Yes, it has been awhile... been busy with my classes and other things. :cool:

coming from someone who has mostly been self taught C++ one word of advice

STAY AWAY FROM COMPUTER LINGO JUNK....that makes learning C++ a royal pain it needs to be known but keep that has a side thing. i would of figured out C++ in a 1/5 of the time if it werent for these freakin computer terms. otherwise i wish you luck and good job. i still dont know it completely but thats mainly logic stuff.

and use standard C++ not managed microsoft C++ otherwise have fun with it cause programming is quite fun

Quote:

---

STAY AWAY FROM COMPUTER LINGO JUNK....

---

I'm going to be quite frustrated if I ever see the user you just gave this advice to ever post something referring to "that gray thing" or "that thing in the corner". How do you expect to communicate with other programmers unless you know the language?

Me too.

C++ lingo is even more important considering he is teaching a class where students will have questions and problems, and work on projects together. It would be much easier for a student knowing what something is called to ask a question on the forums, to their teacher, to a friend, or to work in a group project where each student doesnt have their own words for something, e.g. "that thing", "the plus thingy" (addition operator), "where you have like a plus by these words and you make it so you can use it to do something" (operator overloading).

It's like if HelpMePlease became a professor...

no i mean like where books say all these big words to explain something without throughly explaining it thats what i mean dont just throw it out there like soo many tutorials out there do.

they are useful but what i mean is part of what made C++ hard for me is all these references just throw these words out there and vaguely explain them as other posters said alot of books sometimes have a hard time flowing thats what i mean by computer lingo junk lol

its neccessary but for first time programming i found it to be quite difficult to get bogged down with it.

1. What level are you teaching at? High School

2. What do other schools offer in the same area. They offer Beginning computer applications, programming, keyboarding, you name it.

3. What kind of computers do you have. Ugh, old refurbished computers but they have XP. Right now I would have to do some convincing of the computer tech guys but the principal likes the idea of having programming.

4. What are the abiliity levels of your students (VERY important). This is a college prep school. These kids take mostly AP courses. My courses are some of very few that aren't either pre-AP or AP level. However, we do have a lot of brainiacs here that would enjoy a course like this and would find it useful.

5. What do you want to accomplish? I want to give the kids something different than the usual courses they take. It's nice for them to have a break but I want to challenge them in this area as well.

6. Contant textbook publishers and other teachers. I have tried contacting other teachers but no one has responded (meanies) However, I am searching for books and the principal told me to make a proposal and he would get me what I want/need.

All in all, I enjoyed programming when I was in High School. It was nice to have something that was SO different from English, Math, etc. It allowed me to be more analytical in thought, and I think that would be very beneficial for these kids here.

The class title isn't really the issue here...I'm basically being allowed to teach what I want. They are getting in-depth information on applications they will definitely use while in Beginning Comp. App.

Thanks again. Also nice to see a teacher! And yes...I do seem a little cheerful, don't I? LOL I'm one of "those" people when it comes to my job.

Wow, my comp apps teacher got the job just because he could hit the "on" switch on the apples 20 years back. Now he just yells telling us of the old days along with teaching personal finance (which is what I had).

well in my HS they disguised microsoft office as computer technology lol

and my porgramming teachers idea of class was "Harry this how i do this right?"

i think she got the job cause she taught math there was basic and then C++ and thats when i dropped outta high school but she was planning on adding VB and java though not sure how since she was a moron lol

When ranting about people with few qualifications who are morons, it's often a good idea not to mention that you dropped out of high school.

hey im in college and just cause you drop out has no relevance of your inteligence there are countless reasons you can drop out. mine was related to mental illnesses at the time nothing regarding being too dumb.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ssjnamek

hey im in college and just cause you drop out has no relevance of your inteligence there are countless reasons you can drop out. mine was related to mental illnesses at the time nothing regarding being too dumb.

---

I don't guess you took the english class in high school. There's nothing like trying to read a two hundred word paragraph with no punctuation. :rolleyes:

i did but eh english is quite annoying when most of the kids cant even read at all. so when we are doing whatever and you have to rely on people who cant read more than 2 letter words you kind of sort of get bored and drift off.

that and ive typed on aol for too long its killed me between those two things and my hating of english classes in general that explains all of my bad grammar. though if i cant read it then you know its awful.

My advice is don't teach it.
Even after you learn the fundamentals it is a different level to teach it without a couple years experience using it. Don't short change your students!

I'm sorry ssjnamek, I was a little harsh considering some of the posts we get here.

it is cool since yea ive seen those posts and 50x worse lol. but i try and make it readable. be even cooler if the post i made in other thread i could figure out lol

:eek: Eeek! I'd be useless if I was asked to teach Advanced Band. :D In fact, I usually compare learning to program to playing an instrument. "How long does it take to learn to program? ...How long does it take to learn to play the guitar?"

Curriculum:
There is an AP Computer Science Exam, so I assume there is a pre-defined curriculum.

Although a lot of people hate Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days by Jesse Liberty, I'd suggest that you get your hands on a copy. (Maybe a cheap-used copy.) It could help you with your lesson plans, as it is structured like a course with questions & exercises at the end of each day (chapter), and answers & solutions in the back.

I'm not sure if it would take a full semester to cover the topics in '21 Days'... You might cover 2 chapters per week... But, it would be unrealistic to cover 5 chapters per week. (At the university level, I'd guess that book would cover about half a semester... One chapter per lecture = 3 chapters per week.)

Some C++ references:
For Jargon, I use FOLDOC (Free Online Dictionary Of Computing).

Dinkumware.com has a complete C++ Language Standard Reference.

CPPreference.com seems to be complete too.

And, MSDN has a Standard C++ reference in addition to all the extra Windows-specific shtuff.

For the "ultimate" reference, you can download PDF copies of the C and C++ language standards from ANSI for about $20 each. (You need 'em both, because the C++ standard refers-back to the C standard.)

Compilers
I agree that the Dev-C++ Bloodshed package is a good option. You can also download Microsoft Visual C++ Express Beta free. Although it's "beta", it uses the same underlying compiler as the commercial versions of Visual C++.

I do recommend that your students use a free compiler. The school's budget, and any money spent by students should go toward books!

I always recommend that students use the same compiler as their instructor, but FYI, you (and /or your students) can get the Academic Version of Visual Studio for $100. This is essentially the $800 version of Visual Studio!!!!

Certification:
I would assume that educational certification for Programming / Computer Science is completely different from Microsoft certification.