Homeschool Programming–TeenCoder C# Series Curriculum

I must admit, computer programming has come a very long way since my first computer science class.  I remember that class so well!  It was 1984, and I had to take Basic.  Yes, Windows was just a vapor at that point in time.  To be honest, I think I skipped more classes than I attended, which probably contributed to my lack of interest in the class material.  Fast-forwarding to 2013 . . . .I am by no means a computer guru; but, the basics of programming are really interesting and don’t require me to recall how to use the binary system. When given the opportunity to review the TeenCoder C# Series from Homeschool Programming, I was very intrigued.  I chose to use it this summer with my 18 year old. The program is designed for high school students (grades 9-12), and he just finished high school. He is about to head to college and really has very few computer skills beyond opening his e-mail and checking sports scores.
     We received a the entire TeenCoder C# Series course.  The course contains materials for two full semesters of computer programming as well as the instructional dvd’s.  The instructional dvd’s are an optional product.  Semester 1 (Windows Programming) includes seventeen chapters of reading and assignments, broken down into 3-5 lessons per chapter.  My son is, on average, completing a chapter per week.  He is not a huge fan of reading; so, he tends to watch the instructional dvd and then skip to the assignment portion of a lesson.  If he gets stuck, he goes back through the text and/or dvd to find out how to solve his problems.  He began in Chapter 1 with a history of Windows and the evolution of the Windows system.  The activity at the end of this chapter involved the installation of the free required software components.  This actually was a bit challenging for him because he had never installed software.  However, under my watchful eye (so that my laptop didn’t get fried), he went through the directions linked to in the text and step-by-step installed the software.  Success! Believe me, just him being able to perform this task was a huge accomplishment.  He was so proud to get it done!
     As he has moved on, the chapters have gotten more involved and it takes him an hour or so to get through a lesson.  Sometimes, he has to o back a few lessons and review because he didn’t pay close attention in the first place. That is his fault, not the fault of this curriculum.  The layout and conversational style of the text is very clean and easy to understand.  There just a TON of information to digest; and, to someone with no experience it takes several exposures to the material for it to really sink in.  He has worked his way up through Chapter 8.  I’m not going to say it has always been pleasurable for him; on the contrary, it has been a great challenge; but, I would much rather he had the challenge now than in his computer programming class this Fall. He moves into his dorm in 4 weeks. I think he will have completed enough of the course to at least help programming not come across as a foreign language to him.  To see the table of contents and some samples of what is in the program, click here.  There are also some demo videos available to help you get an even better idea of the grandeur of this curriculum. 
     Semester 2 (Game Programming) materials cover how to write graphical computer games in C#.  The text is laid out in the same format as the first semester materials and kids get to really enjoy applying the skills they learned through the first semester.  My 11th grader is going to be using this entire program (both semesters) this school year and will receive a full computer programming credit (from our umbrella school) when he is through. 
     From a mom perspective, I love the no-nonsense layout of this curriculum.  Questions seem to have been anticipated and the material answers before they have to be asked.  I appreciate the instructional dvd’s.  It is so helpful to have something like that when your learner is more of a visual / hands on learner.  It also helps to get an explanation from someone other than mom.  I have also appreciated the access to activity solutions and chapter quizzes. Homeschool Programming has taken the guesswork out of teaching computer programming.  This self-study program really teaches itself. Kudos to Homeschool Programming!

We received the TeenCoder C# Pack which includes the texts for both semesters and the videos.  It retails for $155.  Individual components can be purchased separately, through the Homeschool Programming website.      Other members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew have been using the TeenCoder C# Series curriculum as well as other fabulous products from Homeschool Programming.  To read their reviews, click through the banner below.