Computer Programming

Homeschool Programming Tech Support Folks who have any issues with these products should head over to http://www.homeschoolprogramming.com/support/getting_help.php for direct tech support help from Chris. (10.7.13)

Windows 8 compatible - Some users may be a bit confused by the new Windows 8 user interface. So the publisher has added some Win 8 notes to their Getting Started Guide describing how to find their shortcuts after installation: http://www.homeschoolprogramming.com/support/getting_started.php (9.13.13)

New Online courses (updated: 2.16.16)

  • General Information:
    • One-year (2 semester) online courses ... equivalent content to print courses
    • Being offered under sister company "CompuScholar"
    • Adding one new, year-long Java programming course (AP-Prep) to TeenCoder. This is not available in hard copy.
    • CLB discounts apply
    • Vendor return policy: full refund 30 days from purchase date
  • Details:
    • Prerequisites are the same as for print product
    • Do not recommend customers try to "sync" print and online courses as they will not always mesh
      • Online courses have been designed to specifically meet a number of state requirements for computer programming courses. Content will be similar to print product, but may be presented differently depending on state requirements.
      • Online courses will receive updates/corrections "on the fly", whereas printed products would require a print revision
    • One-year online subscription begins when the customer creates an account and enters their product code (not at time of purchase)
    • Publisher will continue to sell the print product until they determine there is no longer sufficient demand
  • Content:
    • Written in HTML5, uses MP4 videos (not Flash) and full color text
    • Includes professional development materials on the teacher side, including a suggested course planner
    • Scheduled quizzes and tests are auto-graded and scores are logged on the teacher side
    • Projects come with a set of grading rubrics and solution guide
    • Includes a hyper-linked subject index
    • Each lesson is 3-5 chapters long
  • Digital Admin System:
    • Homeschool Programming Online (HPO) authorization codes (coupons) are provided by the vendor
    • Coupons come in pairs (one teacher code, one student code)
    • Sonlight purchases the authorization codes and enters them into the system
    • Each day at 2:30 am, the server runs a scheduled task to check invoices for the previous day, assigns applicable authorization codes, and sends emails to the customers with the authorization codes and instructions.
    • Customer receives the following email:

Dear Bo,

Here are your Homeschool Programming Online coupon codes: You purchased TeenCoder: Game Programming with C# Online Course (RE3E) on order # 01412281.

TEACHER CODE: QYMS0H3PVNL STUDENT CODE: TQI9YSCM5Z3 ________________________________________

Your online courses are ready to use! Here is the information you need to get started: Login Page: http://learning.compuscholar.com/ Self-Registration Coupon Codes: TEACHER CODE: QYMS0H3PVNL STUDENT CODE: TQI9YSCM5Z3

To begin, select "Self-Registration -> Redeem a Course Code" from the top menu of the login page. You can then self-create your student and teacher accounts using the coupon codes above. A tutorial video of the self-registration process is available from the menu, if needed. Please write down your chosen usernames and passwords! You will need them each time you log into the system. Self-registration is a one-time process. Once you have created your student and teacher accounts, simply visit the login page and enter your chosen username and password to access the course.

If you have any questions about your online course, please contact Homeschool Programming customer service at: http://homeschoolhelp.compuscholar.com/support/home

Thank you! Sonlight Curriculum

KidCoder

KidCoder

Web Design (online yr pack) - 4th-12th gr.

  • Beginning Web Design (print)
  • Adv. Web Design (print)

Windows/Game Programming with Visual Basic (online yr pack) - 6th-8th gr.

  • Windows Programming (print)
  • Game Programming (print)

TeenCoder

TeenCoder

TeenCoder

Windows/Game Programming with C# (online yr pack) - 9th-12th gr.

  • Windows Programming (print)
  • Game Programming (print)

Android Programming with Java (online yr pack) - 9th-12th gr.

  • Android Programming (print)
  • Java Programming (print)

Java Programming AP-Prep (online yr pack) - 9th-12th gr.

  • no print equivalent

Software Requirements (as of 7.24.13)

Our courses are completed by your student on their own computer; this is not an Internet (web)-based curriculum! Therefore please make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements for the software that will be installed for the course.

You do not need to purchase any additional 3rd party software; you only pay for our course material!

For KidCoder: Windows Programming, KidCoder: Game Programming, and

For TeenCoder: Windows Programming, TeenCoder: Game Programming courses:

The main software your student will install is Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express (C# or Visual Basic). This software will work on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit), and Windows 8 (except RT). Please see the supported operating systems list below for more details!

Students will download a free software package from Microsoft for their development environment. Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Express is offered for free to students and is ideal for beginning programmers. The course will walk the student through the download and installation process in a clear, step-by-step manner. After the initial software download the student can complete the course entirely on their own computer. Additional Internet access is optional (though many useful programming resources are available online).

In order to run Visual Studio 2010 Express your student should have access to a computer that has the following minimum requirements: 

    A CPU of at least 1.6Ghz
    At least 1024MB of RAM
    A display monitor with 1024 x 768 or higher resolution
    A graphics card supporting DirectX-10 or later
    A 5400+ RPM hard drive with 3GB or more free space
    A DVD-ROM Drive

Supported Operating Systems: 

    Windows XP + SP3 or above (except Starter Edition)
    Windows Vista + SP2 or above (except Starter Edition)
    Windows 7 (all versions)
    Windows 8 (except RT)

You will need an Internet connection at least during the initial Visual Studio download and installation process.

For TeenCoder: Java Programming, TeenCoder: Android Programming courses:

The main software your student will install is the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment (IDE). This software will work on Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit), Windows 8 (except RT), and Mac OS version 10.5.8 and above (on Intel-based CPUs). Please see the supported operating systems list below for more details!

Students will download a free software package from the Eclipse Foundation for their development environment. The course will walk the student through the download and installation process in a clear, step-by-step manner. After the initial software download the student can complete the course entirely on their own computer. Additional persistent Internet access is optional but highly recommended for TeenCoder: Java Programming and is required for TeenCoder: Android Programming.

In order to run the Eclipse IDE, your student should have access to a computer that has the following minimum requirements: 

    An CPU of at least 1.6Ghz
    At least 1024MB of RAM
    A display monitor with 1024 x 768 or higher resolution
    A 5400+ RPM hard drive with 3GB or more free space
    A DVD-ROM Drive

Supported Operating Systems: 

    Windows XP + SP3 or above (except Starter Edition)
    Windows Vista + SP2 or above (except Starter Edition)
    Windows 7 (all versions)
    Windows 8 (except RT)
    Mac OS version 10.5.8 and above (on Intel-based CPUs)

Skill Requirement for Teen Coder - Windows Programming: [01.30.15]

Student is expected to know the basics of a computer before starting Teen Coder. They will need to know how to use a keyboard and mouse to select programs, run application menu systems and work with Windows operating system [if using Windows programming]. They should understand how to store and load files on their hard drive, use Windows Explorer and walk through their file system and directory structures. They should also have some experience with using Text editors and web browsers to find helpful information on the Internet.

How to upgrade older edition (6.21.13)

If a customer wishes to upgrade their Homeschool Programming product purchased after April 1, 2013, they will need to contact HP, Inc. directly. They will provide an electronic download of the new course once the customer provides an order confirmation email or invoice. Contact HP via their web site at http://www.homeschoolprogramming.com.

Homeschool Programming Upgrade Policy (6.12.13)

We are offering a free upgrade upon request to new editions for all customers who purchased after April 1st, 2013. Customers can send us any reasonable order confirmation info (order#s, or vendor emails, etc) and we will provide an electronic download of the new course Textbook kits (which include a PDF of the textbook). We believe the prior edition instructional videos will work well enough for new editions, so advise customers to continue using them in lieu of receiving new physical discs in the mail.

Updates for Homeschool Programming (6.12.13)

  • KidCoder: Beginning Web Design Textbook Kit – NOW SHIPPING
    • KidCoder: Beginning Web Design Instructional Video – ETA August
  • KidCoder: Advanced Web Design Textbook Kit – on track for August as previously listed
    • KidCoder: Advanced Web Design Instructional Video – on track for August as previously listed
  • 3rd edition KidCoder: Windows Programming Textbook Kit – “at the printers” (shipping late June)
    • 3rd edition KidCoder: Windows Programming Instructional Video – “at the printers” (shipping late June)
  • 3rd edition KidCoder: Game Programming Textbook Kit – “at the printers” (shipping late June)
    • 3rd edition KidCoder: Game Programming Instructional Video – “at the printers” (shipping late June)
  • 3rd edition TeenCoder: Windows Programming Textbook Kit – NOW SHIPPING
    • 3rd edition TeenCoder: Windows Programming Instructional Video – NOW SHIPPING
  • 3rd edition TeenCoder: Game Programming Textbook Kit – NOW SHIPPING
    • 3rd edition TeenCoder: Game Programming Instructional Video – NOW SHIPPING
  • 2nd edition TeenCoder: Java Programming Textbook Kit – ETA August
    • 2nd edition TeenCoder: Java Programming Instructional Video – ETA August
  • 2nd edition TeenCoder: Android Programming Textbook Kit – ETA August
    • 2nd edition TeenCoder: Android Programming Instructional Video – ETA August

Editions of Homeschool Programming (4.30.13)

  • KidCoder VB and TeenCoder C# courses first released in 2009-2010. Second editions released in 2010-2011.
  • KidCoder VB and TeenCoder C# third editions expected mid-2013.
  • TeenCoder Java/Android series was released in early 2012.
  • TeenCoder Java/Android series second editions expected mid-2013.

Will product run on Parallels? (4.23.13)

We are unable to *guarantee* compatibility with any virtual machine technology; there are quite a few products, some better than others, and we are unable to test all of the permutations. I would suggest for interested customers that they go ahead and perform the main software installation (Visual Basic or Visual C#) according to the installation instructions on our website:

http://www.homeschoolprogramming.com/support/installing_kidcoder_vb_series.php http://www.homeschoolprogramming.com/support/installing_teencoder_cs_series.php

If they are able to download, install, register, and run the software from Microsoft, then they can probably have some confidence that the course is workable in their particular environment. 

    TeenCoder: Java Programming
    TeenCoder: Android Programming

These two courses will run on Mac or Windows. Chris Yust

Product Webinar with Chris Yust (2.6.13)

Homeschool Programming Webinar

Homeschool Programming Courses (9.14.12)

  • Computer Programming Courses for kids and teens
  • KidCoder: Windows Programming and Game Programming - two, one-semester courses. Together = 1 year course
    • Windows Only
    • Course package = text with course CD and instructional videos cd
    • Must complete first semester course before moving on to second
  • TeenCoder: Windows Programming and Game Programming - two, one-semester courses. Together = 1 year course
    • Windows Only
    • Course package = text with course CD and instructional videos cd
    • Must complete first semester course before moving on to second
  • TeenCoder: Java Programming and Android Programming - two, one-semester courses. Together = 1 year course
    • Windows or Mac
    • Course package = text with course CD. *NO* instructional videos cd
    • Must complete first semester course before moving on to second.

Returns Policy (9.19.12)

If a customer purchases any of the programming products with a MSP or Core package, then our Love to Learn Guarantee is in place. If these products are purchased outside a Core, then a return would fall under our standard 6 month policy.

  • Under the 6 mo. policy - the Course CD cannot be unsealed, but the Instructional Videos DVD can be opened and returned, as long as it is not damaged in any way (resalable).

PowerPoint Fact Sheets

Homeschool Programming FAQs

Training Webinar (9.13.12)

Homeschool Programming Webinar