All classes are instructor-led and taught online.
Call (408) 320-4660 for more information.
| # | Course |
|---|---|
| 1 | Java Programming 1 / Java 1 Workshop Fundamentals, classes, objects |
| 2 | Java Programming 2 / Java 2 Workshop Object-oriented programming (OOP), Swing |
| 3 | AP Java 1 More OOP, base systems, JavaFX, lambda expression, file I/O |
| 4 | AP Java 2 Threads, Java 10+ features, more arrays, more JavaFX, date/time |
| 5 | AP Java 3 Recursion, sorting, searching, data structures, networking |
| (optional) | AP Computer Science A Prep Preparation for the AP CS A exam |
Java continues to be one of the top programming languages and has been for more than two decades! It is widely used in many popular open source projects, and it is highly scalable and secure. It is also the language chosen by the AP College Board for the AP Computer Science A exam where you can earn college credits.
Learning Java doesn't mean you shouldn't learn other languages. In fact, it is highly recommended that you learn a dynamic language like Python or JavaScript. Once you learn Java, it is relatively easy to pick up other languages.
Do I need to know some programming to take this class?
No. There are no programming prerequisites for Java, although it is highly recommended to have some knowledge of a programming language. You should know your way around using a computer (e.g. loading/saving files) and be comfortable touch typing.
Who are the instructors for Java?
Our instructors are either working as software engineers in the computer industry or college students majoring in computer science. We do not hire high school students to teach Java. While there are some exceptional high school students that know Java, we want someone with more experience to teach it. All of the instructors are trained and have gone through our curriculum and are well-versed in Java.
The class is instructor-led so we will guide you step-by-step. WhizKidz uses a learn-by-example approach. We show you simple examples and best practices. We encourage and foster hands-on experimentation. The class is project-based, meaning students will design and implement many creative and unique projects in all of our courses.
We call them exercises. It is optional, but highly recommended. We provide a set of practice problems for students to work on outside of class each week. They can submit their work online and get valuable feedback from our instructors. Some say getting the feedback is one of the best part of this program.
Is distance learning effective? Does it work?
It definitely works as we have seen successful results since March of 2020. We augment the distance learning experience with our own online coding platform for Java that provides the instructor with better visibility of the students' progress. By keeping the class size small, we can ensure that every student is able to get help in a timely manner.
What do I need at home to take this class?
You need an Internet connection and a computer. If you use our online coding platform for Java, instead of a computer, you can use a Chromebook or an iPad with a keyboard!
What if I sign up for the class and I want to quit?
You can get full credit on the remaining classes that you haven't taken.
What is the difference between Java Programming 1 and Java 1 Workshop?
Both courses use the same curricula and so they cover the same topics. The difference is Java Programming 1 is a 8-week course that meets once a week for 1 ½ hours whereas Java 1 Workshop is typically offered during the summer as a 1-week course that meets five days (Monday to Friday) for 3 ½ hours per day. Because there is more class time in the workshop and students already spend many hours in class each day, there is no homework and some of the exercises are done in class.
Why isn't there a Java workshop for the AP Java courses?
The first two Java courses cover the fundamentals which can be taught and learned in a workshop format. For the intermediate AP Java courses, it is more effective to take the time to absorb the material and spend the time doing more hands-on programming. Hence, it is only offered as a once-a-week 8-week course.
How does this series differ from what I can take in high school?
This assumes your high school offers Java. While each high school varies on quality, at WhizKidz, our expertise is in teaching kids to code so we pride ourselves in teaching best practices, modern techniques, using the latest tools, and working on exciting projects. The Java Programming Series is a complete curriculum that covers all of the core features of Java including the modern features such as lambda expressions. In addition, our class sizes are much smaller so your child gets individualized attention and extra help if needed.
How does this series differ from what is expected in the AP Computer Science A exam?
The AP CS A exam tests your knowledge of Java and object-oriented programming. It only covers up to Java 6 and the latest long-term support release is Java 17. It leaves out some critical features of Java that every Java programmer should know such as interfaces and abstract classes. The exam is a multiple choice test plus a small amount of programming. The expectation is that you should have taken a class and did more hands-on programming there. The Java Programming Series is a complete curriculum that covers all of the core features of Java including the modern features added such as lambda expressions. It stresses hands-on programming and learning how to code a complete Java application.
Why do I need to take the AP Computer Science A Prep course?
You should take this course if you plan to take the AP Computer Science A exam. The prep course will go into very specific areas that the exam wants you to know. It is narrow in topics but somewhat deep. The exam does not allow you to use a computer for programming. Half of the exam is multiple choice, so you need to be able to identify errors that the compiler normally would discover. The prep course will prepare you for the multiple choice questions and the free response questions. There are common areas and gotchas to watch out for. Many of these are covered when you take the Java Programming Series, but this course focuses on them exclusively. At WhizKidz, you complete the Java Programming Series first and then take the AP Computer Science A Prep course. If you pass the exam, you get college credits, and it shows a certain level of competency in Java.
What comes after the Java Programming Series?
WhizKidz has the Enterprise Java Series, a 3-course series on Java server-side development which is where most of Java is used in the industry today. We also have the Android Development Series, the Competitive Programming: USACO Contest courses, and the HackerRank Problem Solving course that further develops your programming and Java skills.
