1. Kids love apps
Ability to write their own app is key motivator
Relatively easy to use development tools
Can produce engaging results from Day 1
Why App Development?
2. Intel based Mac computer
Macbook, Macbook pro, iMac, Mac mini
Large format display (21”+), 2GB RAM minimum
Xcode – development platform for apps
App developer account ($99/year)
Test device and sync cables
Requirements
3. OS X – the operating system version on the Mac
Current version is 10.8.2
iOS – the operating system on the mobile device
Current version is 6.0.2
Xcode – the software used to develop apps
Current version is 4.5
The version of OS X that you are running determines which version of Xcode you
can run, which in turn determines which version of iOS you can write apps for.
Versions
4. Xcode 4.1 – requires OS X 10.6 (snow leopard) – can develop iOS 4.1 apps
Xcode 4.2 – requires OS X 10.6 (snow leopard) – can develop iOS 5.0 apps
Xcode 4.3.x / 4.4 – requires OSX 10.7 (lion) – can develop iOS 5.1 apps
Xcode 4.5.x – requires OSX 10.7.4 (lion) – can develop iOS 6.0 apps
Includes support for Retina displays
Bottom line: Obtain the highest level of Xcode that your operating system will support
Version Matrix
5. One workstation e.g. iMac - $1200
Xcode – requires developer account $99/yr
Limit of 100 devices per account
Device – iPhone, iPad or iPod touch - $400
Not entirely necessary – can use simulator for class
Approximate Costs
6. Taught 9 cycles of “discovery” classes
Opt-in, self selected students
After school, extra curricular activity
One hour, two times per week
Between 8 and 16 total classes in one cycle
Grades K through 8, with focus on K through 4
Class size between 3 and 10 students – enrollment was later capped at 6
What did we learn?
7. Traditional classroom layout works best
High quality projector is beneficial
E.g. Square bracket vs curly brace vs parenthesis
Length of class – 45 minute timeout
Time of day – programming requires concentration
Frequency – at least 2 times per week with day in between
Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday
Classroom Logistics
8. Mac supplied wireless mouse and keyboard are problematic and not eco friendly
Mac mouse has “swipe” detectors which do not work well with small fingers
Xcode does strange things with some mouse gestures using Mac mouse
Stick with standard USB keyboard and wheel (PC style) USB mouse
Consider where projects will be stored and periodic system wipe
Consider locking the volume controls with user permissions
Computer Setup
9. Kids are highly motivated by the prospect of being able to develop their
own mobile game
Provide pre-built game shells which have enough functionality present to
engage students to change or enhance them
Get them to write an app from the very first class
Modification of existing apps teaches students application development
through learn by example without requiring an otherwise substantial
technical background
Focus on games
Teaching Strategy
10. Young learners can only sit for so long – class pace is important
Each class should build on prior work and revisit concepts while
introducing new/fresh content
Class logistics and computer setup – layout, class size, mouse/kb
Distractions – surfing, photo booth, youtube, other apps, online games
Challenges
11. Substantial parent and student interest in app development classes
Follow on questions from some students show
Enthusiastic feedback from students who have taken the course
Development of “in house” apps by students
Repeatable programming behavior as early as age 6
Achievements
12. The “day one” app
Samples
Bounce
Busy Bee
Alien Acres
The 3D cube
Blox
Hands On
13. Square Bracket [ or ]
Curly brace { or }
Parenthesis ( or )
Semicolon ;
Colon :
Single quote ‘
Double quote “
Backslash
Forward slash /
Symbol Legend
14. Day One App
Introduction to computer usage, Xcode and interface builder
Create sample app with label and button
Add student selected images and text
Run samples in simulator
Sample App 1 - bounce
Using Xcode to change the application
Navigating the Xcode project files
Change the points for the score
Change the timer speed
Curriculum #1 – Discovery
8 to 16 classes
15. Sample App 2 –Bee Catch
Understanding animations
Change the points for the score
Change the timer speed
Change the animations
Change the background images
Curriculum #1 – Discovery
8 to 16 classes
16. Sample App 3– Alien Acres
Understanding rotating animations
Change the points for the score
Change the timer speed
Change the animations
Change the background images
Change the characters and their attributes
Curriculum #1 – Discovery
8 to 16 classes
17. Sample App 4 – 3D cube
Use the built in “Open GL ES game” template
Change vertex values
Change cube color
Change rotation speed and direction
Change camera position
Talk about X/Y/Z coordinates and 3D projection space
Curriculum #1 – Discovery
8 to 16 classes
18. Sample App 5 – Blox
Change texture images
Change order and size of blocks
Change geometry of blocks
Make blocks rotate
Change speed of rotation
Curriculum #1 – Discovery
8 to 16 classes
20. Bi-weekly topical agenda – First Semester
Introduction to programming – core concepts
Anatomy of an app – program flows and components
UI component review – types of controls and their use
Variables and classes
Component events and properties
2D graphics concepts
CoreAudio and sound – music and sound effects
Curriculum #2 – Full Year
21. Bi-weekly topical agenda – Second Semester
Networking concepts and servers – HTTP usage
Multitasking and threading concepts
3D programming using OpenGL
User requirements and SDLC concepts
Database design
Finite state machine design and logic flows
Student final project – design/develop/test/release
Curriculum #2 – Full Year
