Introduction to Computer Science HELP!

[butterfly113]

In today's day and age, you would think it would not be THIS difficult to find an intro to computer science course for high school that is accessible to homeschoolers and doesn't break the bank! I am so frustrated!

Thus far I have looked into several options, simply wanting an overview of computer science for ds.

 

CodeHS claims to have a FREE plan, but once you click on the links to their plans, or homeschool or independent learning, it costs $499! I have submitted requests for information on the FREE plan, what it includes and have not heard anything back.

 

ECS (Exploring Computer Science) appears great, yet looks to be teacher led and classroom oriented which is not an option for us, especially with one student.

 

Code.org has a program called Computer Science Discoveries, but is not even available until the fall.

 

Project Lead the Way looks fantastic but is geared for public/private schools.

 

Edhesive has Explorations in Coding which is new, and not available until the fall and an Introduction to Computer Science teaching basics... so this may be an option. I am waiting for them to answer my inquiry.

 

EdX has a self paced course from Harvard Intro to Computer Science, which looks promising.

 

Sonlight offers Teen Coder courses in C# and Java.

 

 

Why is it so diffucult to find an online Intro to Computer Science course? Has anyone used EdX? Is the material sufficient for a full course credit? Is it necessary to have the verified certificate to place the course on a transcript? What have others done with their computer science minded students?

 

[freesia]

My ds did Kidcoder.

 

Then he played around on Code Academy.

 

Then he did the Edhesive AP class. He got a 4.  He's not a natural programmer but likes it.  It worked well and was affordable.

[butterfly113]

My ds did Kidcoder.

 

Then he played around on Code Academy.

 

Then he did the Edhesive AP class. He got a 4.  He's not a natural programmer but likes it.  It worked well and was affordable.

With the Edhesive class, was it completely self paced? Was he required to log in at certain times? Were there assignment due dates? How involved were you as the teacher?

[freesia]

With the Edhesive class, was it completely self paced? Was he required to log in at certain times? Were there assignment due dates? How involved were you as the teacher?

 

It was completly self-paced.  There are "due dates" to keep you on track for the AP test, but they are "soft" meaning that there is no penalty for missing them unless you give a penalty.  You are considered the teacher in giving grades and can adjust grades (not on the website but in a spread sheet).  You can aim to finish at any point before June 31.

 

You don't have to log in at a certain time. There are teacher videos with the teaching, computer graded activities and projects, tests and quizzes.  There is a wonderful forum where other students and the teacher's aids help the child with any problem. There is a private instructor/student forum where the student can request help just from a TA.  My ds really learned to reach out for help through the class.

 

I was only involved in that my ds did not do well with the tests giving on the computer (too impulsive) so I had to give him the printed alternative tests and adjust his grade.  I know nothing about programming so there was no way I could help him.

 

The only live classes were AP prep webinars at the end, but someone always replied within 24 hours to any question.  It was truely a wonderful program and I'm considering using their new APstat class.

[mirabillis]

Ditto to Edhesive's AP Comp Sci class. We just finished this year - so no AP score yet. But my ds learned a ton - and loved it! We started with the Intro to Comp Sci - but then my ds after a week said he wanted the AP class. So we switched and never looked back. With barely any introductory programming experience, he was able to maintain an A average on their quizzes, exams & assignments. It's a great system and very much self-paced. We started very late in November so played catch-up all year. No big deal. He got his grades when he did the work, no penalties, etc. I can't express how great this class was for us! The videos were spot-on, the assignments thought-provoking, quizzes and exams great for actually requiring them to study some to master the material (and if you do the $125-150 homeschool option - you get teacher notes and practice quizzes/tests to print out before the real one), and great responses on the discussion boards (always quick and very helpful). Highly recommend!

[AimeeM]

Homeschool Connections has computer science courses, as does AOPS.

[Julie Smith]

I want a computer course that isn't based around programming.

 

So if you ever find something like that, please post about it.

[Mike in SA]

Purdue University runs a free course each year. It is very well constructed and accessible to home school students.

 

We've also used MIT-OCW, but it is not for the faint-hearted. Very, very good though.

[Hilltopmom]

Mine taught himself basics, then took some short inexpensive classes in different languages (fundafunda Python is one I remember). He did a MOOC, but I cant renember which one.

 

Then started DE at the CC & has taken 3 there so far, 2-3 more planned for next year.

He plans to major in CS ;)

[butterfly113]

Ditto to Edhesive's AP Comp Sci class. We just finished this year - so no AP score yet. But my ds learned a ton - and loved it! We started with the Intro to Comp Sci - but then my ds after a week said he wanted the AP class. So we switched and never looked back. With barely any introductory programming experience, he was able to maintain an A average on their quizzes, exams & assignments. It's a great system and very much self-paced. We started very late in November so played catch-up all year. No big deal. He got his grades when he did the work, no penalties, etc. I can't express how great this class was for us! The videos were spot-on, the assignments thought-provoking, quizzes and exams great for actually requiring them to study some to master the material (and if you do the $125-150 homeschool option - you get teacher notes and practice quizzes/tests to print out before the real one), and great responses on the discussion boards (always quick and very helpful). Highly recommend!

 

I am hearing wonderful things from Edhesive, but they are not responding to my questions / inquiries on their site. I'll look and see if there is email contact info. Does anyone have a number for them?

[mirabillis]

I used their online form and got a response back within a couple days. This is the email they responded from: sgreene@edhesive.com

[snowbeltmom]

I want a computer course that isn't based around programming.

 

So if you ever find something like that, please post about it.

 

I am not 100% sure I understand what you are looking for so this response may not make sense, but have you checked into eIMACS?  The classes are on the pricey side, but my kids got a lot out of them, and the instructor response-time was excellent.

 

[Julie Smith]

I am not 100% sure I understand what you are looking for so this response may not make sense, but have you checked into eIMACS?  The classes are on the pricey side, but my kids got a lot out of them, and the instructor response-time was excellent.

 

 

I hear many people say kids get use to using numerous programs just by, 'playing around' on the computer. 

 

But Eldest does not like doing that. He basically uses it as a type writer with a built in spell checker. He has no interest in doing anything else (and the type writer part is simple because he types up his work). So I was hoping for a course that just has kids learn about various types of software and has them create things with them. Moving files around. Scanning and Downloading images from various sources. Doing basic photo editing. Inserting images into word documents. Creating basic charts and graphs. ... Also basic computer maintenance stuff such as backing up data. Getting information off of CDs and pen drives. Installing software.... Installing new hardware.... Just general computer stuff that will come up during his highschool years. But it will be so much easier for him if he learns how to do all that now. 

 

Eldest is great at box checking and following written, or video instructions. He is very much a do the next thing on the list kind of guy. So if I had all the above in a single course he has to complete, then it would be very easy for me to just say, "Do it!" and it will get done. But I have no interest in trying to put such a thing together myself. 

 

Youngest has at least some interest in the above things. He knows how to do some of them, and from watching others picks up things. But Eldest would rather do long division, or conjugate french verbs then scan in an image and attach it to an email to a friend. 

[daijobu]

So I was hoping for a course that just has kids learn about various types of software and has them create things with them. Moving files around. Scanning and Downloading images from various sources. Doing basic photo editing. Inserting images into word documents. Creating basic charts and graphs. ... Also basic computer maintenance stuff such as backing up data. Getting information off of CDs and pen drives. Installing software.... Installing new hardware.... Just general computer stuff that will come up during his highschool years. But it will be so much easier for him if he learns how to do all that now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I learn how to do a lot of these things on an as needed basis, by asking Professor Google.  How do I back up my data?  Google: how to back up data.  

 

Here's an article that describes how to install new hardware on a Windows machine.  Should he read this now?  I don't think so.  But it's a good habit to get into as the need arises.  It's easy to forget when your phone starts to act strange, that there are probably 2.5 million people on the planet with your exact phone which have also acted strangely in the exact way yours has, and has posted to myriad discussion boards about.  And somewhere on those discussion boards, someone has come up with a solution.  

 

I couldn't figure out how to program my Mr. Coffee coffee maker.  I asked Professor Google, and sure enough, I'm not kidding you, I found many people who also couldn't figure it out.  One nice soul typed in detailed instructions for us.   

 

Whenever my kids don't remember the input arguments for some python code, they type in something like:  python list.pop arguments.     

[elegantlion]

Have you checked either vo-tech schools or community education classes? You might also try the tutoring center from any nearby universities, sometimes they have videos online. 

[crazyforlatin]

Ditto to Edhesive's AP Comp Sci class. We just finished this year - so no AP score yet. But my ds learned a ton - and loved it! We started with the Intro to Comp Sci - but then my ds after a week said he wanted the AP class. So we switched and never looked back. With barely any introductory programming experience, he was able to maintain an A average on their quizzes, exams & assignments. It's a great system and very much self-paced. We started very late in November so played catch-up all year. No big deal. He got his grades when he did the work, no penalties, etc. I can't express how great this class was for us! The videos were spot-on, the assignments thought-provoking, quizzes and exams great for actually requiring them to study some to master the material (and if you do the $125-150 homeschool option - you get teacher notes and practice quizzes/tests to print out before the real one), and great responses on the discussion boards (always quick and very helpful). Highly recommend!

Is Edhesive a-g approved? It seems to say it is here, https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist#/list/details/4679/ but then there is that annoying blurb on the top right corner. Off topic but since you are here, I thought I would ask. And, DD could take it in 9th grade and just take the AP exam if it's not applicable to us. For some reason this course scares me. I'm fairly techy but not at that level. That goes for DD as well.

[mirabillis]

It doesn't matter if it's A-G approved if you score a 3,4 or 5 on the AP exam. That will suffice to satisfy the requirement. (I've found most online publishers/providers have similar language. Shmoop, HSA, UC Scout etc) We are doing HSA for Spanish and same thing there. But you self-report on your UC app, so I plan to note that they are a-g approved. And for the most part, we are trying to attain a-g req by SAT II/AP testing.)

 

My dd won't take it - but she's not techy at all nor mathy. She wouldn't like it. My ds is very into the computer, though he had had very little exposure to programming previously. And he's mathy, loves problem solving. That's who it works for. I'm not techy at all - and all was gobbly-gook to me. I didn't help at all! You can always try the free course and try it for a few weeks, watch Mrs. Dovi's videos, do the assignments and see how you like it. If you want to commit, then go for it. If not, then find something else)

[butterfly113]

Is Edhesive a-g approved? It seems to say it is here, https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist#/list/details/4679/ but then there is that annoying blurb on the top right corner. Off topic but since you are here, I thought I would ask. And, DD could take it in 9th grade and just take the AP exam if it's not applicable to us. For some reason this course scares me. I'm fairly techy but not at that level. That goes for DD as well.

 

What is A-G approved? When I google it, it appears for California Universities admissions...?

Edited June 1, 2017 by butterfly113

[daijobu]

What is A-G approved? When I google it, it appears for California Universities admissions...?

 

Correct.  If you are not a California resident and don't plan to apply to UC, then you can ignore this.  Lucky you.  

[Clear Creek]

I hear many people say kids get use to using numerous programs just by, 'playing around' on the computer. 

 

But Eldest does not like doing that. He basically uses it as a type writer with a built in spell checker. He has no interest in doing anything else (and the type writer part is simple because he types up his work). So I was hoping for a course that just has kids learn about various types of software and has them create things with them. Moving files around. Scanning and Downloading images from various sources. Doing basic photo editing. Inserting images into word documents. Creating basic charts and graphs. ... Also basic computer maintenance stuff such as backing up data. Getting information off of CDs and pen drives. Installing software.... Installing new hardware.... Just general computer stuff that will come up during his highschool years. But it will be so much easier for him if he learns how to do all that now. 

 

Eldest is great at box checking and following written, or video instructions. He is very much a do the next thing on the list kind of guy. So if I had all the above in a single course he has to complete, then it would be very easy for me to just say, "Do it!" and it will get done. But I have no interest in trying to put such a thing together myself. 

 

Youngest has at least some interest in the above things. He knows how to do some of them, and from watching others picks up things. But Eldest would rather do long division, or conjugate french verbs then scan in an image and attach it to an email to a friend. 

 

Right now Homeschool Buyers Co-op is offering a free course from CompuScholar called Digital Savvy that covers what you listed. Here is the description:

This course covers fundamental computing topics and skills such as:

• Hardware, software, and operating systems
• Managing files and folders
• Basic networking
• Online safety and computer security
• Using Word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation programs
• And MORE!

 

 

If you don't want to use it for free over the summer you can still enroll for a reduced price through the co-op for this coming school year.

[AEC]

Homeschool Connections has computer science courses, as does AOPS.

 

re: AOPS...well, sort of.  They have an Intro to Python class that goes from 0 -> moderately basic.  They offer an Intermediate course, but only 1 time, during the summer, per year.  I really wish they'd offer it more often, but I've emailed and they have no plans to.