alice-teacher transitioning from Alice v2 to something to prep for the AP test

[Daryl Detrick]

Sandy,

I agree with Mike that the Java Software Solutions is probably the easiest book to transition to AP.  We use Eclipse to program in my Intro and AP classes.  I highly recommend getting the Baron's test prep book.  I also highly recommend joining the AP CS discussion community (list-serve) https://apcommunity.collegeboard.org/web/apcompsci/.    This help so much in my first few years of teaching AP. 

Feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Daryl Detrick
detrickd at warrenhills.org


________________________________________
From: alice-teachers-bounces+detrickd=warrenhills.org at lists.andrew.cmu.edu [alice-teachers-bounces+detrickd=warrenhills.org at lists.andrew.cmu.edu] On Behalf Of Milbury, Michael [Michael.Milbury at culver.org]
Sent: Tuesday, January 08, 2013 10:10 AM
To: Alice educators
Subject: Re: alice-teacher transitioning from Alice v2 to something to prep for the AP test

As a first year AP teacher, I am using the Horstman Java Concepts text.  I feel while it’s a thorough text, it can be a bit much.  I am also using Java Software Solutions for AP* Computer Science by Lewis, Loftus and Cocking.  I think that text may be the way to go, and likely will be the main text that I use next year.

Either way, you will want to start soon in covering Java, plus you will want to leave some time (probably no less than 1-2 weeks) to prep for the test.

Go to the collegeboard.org site as they also have some resources.

Good luck,

Mike

From: alice-teachers-bounces+michael.milbury=culver.org at lists.andrew.cmu.edu [mailto:alice-teachers-bounces+michael.milbury=culver.org at lists.andrew.cmu.edu] On Behalf Of Sandy Graham
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2013 6:57 PM
To: 'Alice educators'
Subject: alice-teacher transitioning from Alice v2 to something to prep for the AP test

I need to figure out how to transition from having completed the Alice book using version 2 to prepping for the AP exam.  HELP!!!  The exam appears to be “real” java.  I am teaching at a homeschool class day – at a church using our personal laptops and meager personal budgets.  I don’t know what program to use to run java (outside the Alice platform and that is affordable and will run in a regular Windows OS).  Also, though I’ve learned java in the Alice platform well and have taught it for several years, I have never even programmed in actual java.  I know I can figure it out with a good text book and proper software, but is there a book that would transition us into straight java while prepping for the AP exam?  Does anyone use any of the actual AP prep books that can be found at Barnes and Nobles?  I think at some point using version 3 should be part of this solution, but there are no books to go with that right now and then I still need to AP prep part.  I think it would be better to switch straight to AP prep and learning “real” java right now, but tell me if you agree.

I know everyone is very busy returning from the holidays.  I only have until the beginning of May to get the students prepared for the exam.  Any help you can give would be VERY much appreciated!!!  Please feel free to call me if that would work better for you.  I’ve asked this question before and have never some away knowing what to do.  I guess I need my hand held through this.  Thank you!!!

Your sister in Christ,

Sandy Graham
(210) 413-6505