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Alice and Python A Great Combination for a Pre-AP Class

Alice and Python A Great Combination for a Pre-AP Class. by Rose Hopkins Naperville North High School, Naperville, IL. Picture created by Kevin Doherty Naperville North HS. Naperville North High School. western suburb of Chicago around 3,000 students

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Alice and Python A Great Combination for a Pre-AP Class

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  1. Alice and PythonA Great Combination for a Pre-AP Class by Rose Hopkins Naperville North High School, Naperville, IL Picture created by Kevin Doherty Naperville North HS

  2. Naperville North High School • western suburb of Chicago • around 3,000 students • part of a unit school district with another high school (middle schools and elementary schools feeding into it) • average ACT score of school is 25.4 (out of 36, IL avg around 20-21) • graduation rate is over 98% • 74% white, 5% black, 4% Hispanic, 16% Asian

  3. Programming Courses • Programming 1 (one semester) • Programming 2 (one semester) • AP Computer Programming--Java (prerequisite is at least Programming 1) Enrollment this year: • Programming 1—two classes first semester, one class second semester (74 students total) • Programming 2—one class second semester (17 students) • AP Computer Programming usually in the 20s

  4. Alice and Python together this year • previously taught True Basic for beginning programming classes • curriculum jointly approved by both schools • agreed to use both Alice and Python but had some flexibility • I used 4-5 weeks of Alice at the beginning of semester and did a few days of Alice events later (Programming 1) • Alice with mostly Python for Programming 2

  5. What is Python? • free easy-to-use programming language with an IDE called IDLE, see www.python.org • creator is Guido van Rossum, who works for Google (one-third of Google’s code is in Python) • can be object-oriented but didn’t use this until Programming 2 • perfect “transition” language to Java (AP) – many similarities, only easier (less syntax)

  6. Programming 1 Schedule

  7. Programming 2 Schedule (optional course for AP)

  8. Advantages to these languages for a pre-AP class • looping the same as in Java (index starting at 0) • Python’s “for ___ in ___” and Alice’s “for all in order” like Java’s “for each” loop • previously learned concepts will help them understand: • lists (ArrayList) • events • objects/properties/methods in Java • have students learn recursion in Alice when doing recursion unit in Java (it’s easier!!)

  9. Benefits to having both • reinforces programming concepts by seeing them in two languages • allows students to work in Alice when they have completed the Python lab assignments (good way to use their free time!) • allows some students to achieve at a higher level in Alice, some achieve higher level in Python • students seem happy with the combination 

  10. Participated in Spirit • Surprising Possibilities Imagined and Realized through Information Technology • See SPIRIT website: www.ITPossibilities.org • Supported by a $1.26M grant from the National Science Foundation, #DRL-0737679, 1/08-12/10 • Attract more people to IT, especially women • Intervention programs for HS teachers, HS counselors, and HS students

  11. What are the goals of Spirit? • Correct negative perceptions about IT • IT skills relevant to a broad range of disciplines • IT can benefit society • IT can be fun, welcoming, interesting • Both men and women can have successful careers in IT • Let participants try out and create many interesting & useful applications of IT • Give guidance on what to do now to have a successful career in IT

  12. Spirit continues this summer and next … • 2-week teacher institute • Week 1—Learn Alice and develop lesson plans • Week 2 • Practice instructing students • Participate in other activities to show IT's relevance to and support of STEM disciplines • 1-week program for counselors (during week 2 above) • 1-week summer camp for students (during week 2 above) • SPIRIT contact: Alka Harriger • Phone: 765-494-2565 • Email: harrigea@purdue.edu • www.ITPossibilities.org

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