Computational Thinking in Context: Interactive Animations and Games - CSE203

Instructor: Nicoleta Roman

Office: Galvin Hall 460E   Phone: 419-995-8224

Email address: roman.45@osu.edu

Instructor Website: lima.osu.edu/people/nroman

 

Description

Introduction to computational thinking, focusing on problem solving and programming concepts and skills needed to create interactive graphics, animations, and games; creativity and imagination encouraged.

 

The course is worth 4 credits.

 

Prerequisites

NONE. Recommended for students with little or no programming experience or who are not confident in their programming background.

 

Course Objectives

• Master using basic constructs provided by high-level imperative programming languages: sequencing, selection, and iteration.
• Be familiar with algorithmic thinking.
• Be familiar with procedural composition.
• Be familiar with many of the possibilities available for creative combination in programmed interactive animations.
• Be familiar with using a modern interactive program development environment.
• Be exposed to the virtual machine model of modern computer systems.

 

 

Topics

Number of Hours	Topic
3	Course introduction, software installation, first program, and window coordinate system
2	Basic iteration and movement of sprites
4	Sequencing and drawing
4	Continuation conditions and collision detection
3	User interaction, polled input, and selection
4	Managing sprite velocities
14	Course project: discussion and evaluation of preliminary ideas; discussion of problems encountered and possible solutions; presentation and evaluation of final projects
3	Quizzes on computing fundamentals
3	Midterm and exam reviews

 

Representative Lab Assignments

• "Create an interesting scene" (placement of sprites and words in the window using its coordinate system; program-controlled drawing using sequencing).
• "Create an interesting animation" (movement of sprites by iterative relocation).
• "Create an interesting animation where something bounces" (collision detection using continuation conditions).
• "Create an interesting interactive situation" (user-influenced movement of sprites using selection).
• Course project: "create an interactive education/information environment or a game".

 

Textbooks

 

Course Notes.

 

 

Grading Plan

 

Midterm	10%
Final	30%
Quizzes	10%
Homework	10%
Lab assignments	20%
Project	20%