GameGridKara 2.0 – Learning Java with Kara in Eclipse/NetBeans/etc.

Verfasst von Marco Jakob (some handout translations by Michael Kadri)

Gamegridkara-logo-large
SubjectComputer Science, Programming
SchoolHigh School, University, ...
Target GroupStudents learning Java as their first programming language
EnvironmentEclipse, NetBeans, BlueJ etc.
Duration16-20 Lessons

Worum geht es?

GameGridKara provides a simple introduction to programming with Java. The combination with JGameGrid enables the use of any IDE like Eclipse, NetBeans or BlueJ. With the mini-world of Kara the novice programmer immediately gets a visual feedback for his program. The following example program collects all the leaves until Kara reaches the tree:

while (!treeFront()) {
  if (onLeaf()) {
    removeLeaf();
  }
  move();
}

With GameGridKara basic programming concepts are learned. Some examples:

  • Classes, Objects, and method calls
  • Condition statements and loops
  • Writing methods with parameters and return values
  • Programming a game with keyboard control (Kara Sokoban)

Showcase of executable GameGridKara exercises

Screenshot

Lesson Plan

1 lessonInstallation, importing scenarios into Eclipse/Netbeans/etc.
3 lessonsGetting to know Kara, creating objects and calling methods with the mouse, reading source code, writing the first program (chapter 1)
3-4 lessonsflow diagram, control structures (conditions and loops), boolean and logic operators (chapter 2)
3-4 lessonsVariables, data types and operators, the structure of a class, nested statements (chapter 3)
3-4 lessonsProgramming a game, keyboard input, comparing Strings, reading Javadoc, designing ASCII levels, creating an exececutable Jar file (chapter 4)
3 lessonsWriting own methods with parameters and return values, repetition (chapter 5)
 
Further options
Option 1Developing your own project with GameGridKara or JGameGrid
Option 2Introduction to GUI-programming with JavaFX or Swing

Downloads

Instructions for teachers - PDF [280 KB] Instructions for teachersPDF [280 KB]
 
Scenarios for GameGridKara
All scenarios - ZIP [3 MB] All scenariosZIP [3 MB]
All scenarios with solutions - ZIP [3 MB] All scenarios with solutionsZIP [3 MB]
 
Handouts
Handout 01: Installation - Word [112 KB] Handout 01: Installation - PDF [109 KB] Handout 01: InstallationWord [112 KB] · PDF [109 KB]
Handout 02: Programming Survey - Word [51 KB] Handout 02: Programming Survey - PDF [55 KB] Handout 02: Programming SurveyWord [51 KB] · PDF [55 KB]
 
Handout 03: Chapter 1: First Steps - Word [502 KB] Handout 03: Chapter 1: First Steps - PDF [247 KB] Handout 03: Chapter 1: First StepsWord [502 KB] · PDF [247 KB]
Handout 04: Chapter 1: First Steps Solutions - Word [50 KB] Handout 04: Chapter 1: First Steps Solutions - PDF [74 KB] Handout 04: Chapter 1: First Steps SolutionsWord [50 KB] · PDF [74 KB]
 
Handout 05: Chapter 2: Program Flow - Word [402 KB] Handout 05: Chapter 2: Program Flow - PDF [650 KB] Handout 05: Chapter 2: Program FlowWord [402 KB] · PDF [650 KB]
Handout 06: Chapter 2: Program Flow Solutions - Word [52 KB] Handout 06: Chapter 2: Program Flow Solutions - PDF [55 KB] Handout 06: Chapter 2: Program Flow SolutionsWord [52 KB] · PDF [55 KB]
 
Handout 07: Chapter 3: Variables - Word [198 KB] Handout 07: Chapter 3: Variables - PDF [213 KB] Handout 07: Chapter 3: VariablesWord [198 KB] · PDF [213 KB]
Handout 08: Chapter 3: Variables Solutions - Word [51 KB] Handout 08: Chapter 3: Variables Solutions - PDF [52 KB] Handout 08: Chapter 3: Variables SolutionsWord [51 KB] · PDF [52 KB]
 
Handout 09: Chapter 4: Sokoban with Kara - Word [76 KB] Handout 09: Chapter 4: Sokoban with Kara - PDF [134 KB] Handout 09: Chapter 4: Sokoban with KaraWord [76 KB] · PDF [134 KB]
Handout 10: Chapter 4: Sokoban with Kara Solutions - Word [49 KB] Handout 10: Chapter 4: Sokoban with Kara Solutions - PDF [48 KB] Handout 10: Chapter 4: Sokoban with Kara SolutionsWord [49 KB] · PDF [48 KB]
 
Handout 11: Chapter 5: Methods - Word [148 KB] Handout 11: Chapter 5: Methods - PDF [705 KB] Handout 11: Chapter 5: MethodsWord [148 KB] · PDF [705 KB]
Handout 12: Chapter 5: Methods Solutions - Word [51 KB] Handout 12: Chapter 5: Methods Solutions - PDF [284 KB] Handout 12: Chapter 5: Methods SolutionsWord [51 KB] · PDF [284 KB]
 
All documents as Zip
All documents (Microsoft Office Word) - ZIP [2 MB] All documents (Microsoft Office Word)ZIP [2 MB]

Links

GameGridKara Source on GitHub
JGameGrid Site