Basic Programming II: Course Guide. Revised Edition

Abstract

This guide is designed to provide teachers with guidelines and suggested activities for teaching a one-semester advanced programming course--BASIC Programming II--for the ninth through twelfth grades. Although primarily oriented toward mathematics, the guide does offer sample applications in business that also address the needs of students with a variety of academic backgrounds. Intended to serve as a framework of goals and activities upon which the teacher can organize, build, and expand his or her course, the guide provides a course description, course requirements, a course outline, a syllabus, course management considerations, sample activities and programs, and suggested resources. The activities include teaching strategies for introducing concepts, developing specific skills, or reinforcing previously learned aspects of BASIC. Topics covered include a Review of Hardware/Software Considerations, Structured Programming via Subroutines, Subscripted Variables and Problem-Solving Strategies, BASIC Functions and Graphics, File Handling and Term Project, Data Structures, and Computer Ethics and Impact on Society. A taxonomy of goals, objectives, and student expectations is appended, as well as samples of forms for use with the course, a description of a motivation technique, ASCII codes, and lists of recommended textbooks, teaching aids and references, software, and audiovisual materials. (DJR)