Animation & Java Programming With Alice - Level 2 (Ages 9-14)

This will be a continuation of the first Alice 3 class in which students create digital stories using text-based dialog and animation.  We will be using Alice 3, which combines object-based coding with texted-based Java coding.  Alice is a free program made available by Carnegie Mellon and is used widely in elementary through college-age computer, visual arts, and other core classes. Students taking this course should have completed the first Alice 3 course or have previous animation or programming experience.

Students will be introduced to projects that we will start together in class and they can finish outside of class if necessary.  I will demonstrate how to use the program step-by-step sharing my screen and students can follow along on their own computers.  They can share their screens if they need help troubleshooting. (Teacher will also be available throughout the week for help and questions on projects outside of class.) 

The second Alice class builds on what was learned in the first class. We will work on creating methods and procedures and learn about classes and how to edit and apply characteristics of objects and their classes.  There will be lots of dogs, penguins, chickens and an elaborate Hokey Pokey routine, among other things!  Students can have fun by individualizing their projects as well.

Parents or students will need to download and install Alice 3 on their computer prior to the first week (teacher will be available for any technical support needed!)  Download it from: http://www.alice.org/get-alice/alice-3/.  Alice 3 will run on Windows (32- or 64-bit systems), Mac OS, or Linux. 

In Lesson 1, students will learn how to create their own procedures for a class of objects as we write a method to make a dog’s tail wag and then learn to use that procedure with other objects within that class. We will also look at how to export and import procedures so they can be reused in other animations.

In Lesson 2, students will learn how to create several HokeyPokey methods and apply them to other objects in different classes (Yetis and Aliens and Turtles, Oh My!)

In Lesson 3, we will extend the HokeyPokey method to apply to all bipeds and we will learn to use the Constructor to change the properties of specific objects within a class (color-changing chickens!)

In Lesson 4, we will add a “for loop” to our HokeyPokey project and learn how to use Conditionals to move objects to the closest object (penguins!). 

In Lesson 5, we will problem-solve how to design a program from the ground up as we teach a penguin how to go bowling! 

Lesson 6 will be time for students to showcase their own projects and students will be given direction on how to continue their studies in Alice and Java, about new versions of Alice that are available, etc.

Throughout the session, there will be discussion questions about animation and programming, and students will be encouraged to share their work and help troubleshoot each other’s projects.  (This is encouraged, but not required).  Grades are available to those who request it; otherwise feedback will be informal.