[dkc1657]

I'm designing a programming course for high school students and have decided to use PHP and MySQL. To make a long story short, most of the students have no idea what programming is so I'll have to start from scratch and cover only the basics. I will I'm planning to spend approx. 70 hours teaching:

1. How this technology works (client side, server side, internet, database etc..)
2. Learn HTML
3. Learn PHP
4. Learn MySQL

Instead of each student build a small PHP/SQL based application, I'm planning to use the remaining 70 hours in the school year to engage in one big class project. That way, we can hopefully create something a little more interesting.

I'm planning to choose one or two of the top students as the project managers (along with myself), and the remaining students as programmers, but everyone contributes to one project.

Each student will have access to her own intranet site test server. Each student will also have her own MySQL database.

Can someone give me some tips and advice on how to manage a group programming project? I'm sure that not each student can work on the same function or class file. So I assume they would work on their functions on their own, test it, and when it's done, simply copy it into the main function or class file? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. (Also project ideas too)

Thanks in advance!

[phpPlus]

This is how I would handle it.

Assign a certain part of the "project" to each student. Have them code it in a file called firstname_lastname.php and then use the main file to include all files. Maybe have each of them write a function that does one task.

I know this thread's a little old but I hope this helps.

[dkc1657]

Hey,

Yea the thread is getting a bit old, but thanks for the tip. Thats a neat idea though. I was thinking more of the entire class split into groups of 2-3 students, and each group of students will get a task and contribute to the larger project.

Since I've never been part of a large group project, I'm just looking for management tips.

[goodie2shoe]

Hi,

Firstly, I'd like to say that what you are doing is an amazing idea. Your pupils are going to have an experience that many people of that age would not get. A great early insight into the world of software development! Kudos to you!

I'm not sure if you still need hints and tips. Personally the success of this as a group project is fully dependant on your planning.

I believe you first need a feasible project, and a project that can be modularised. Take for example a CMS for the most basic of projects.

Each group can be given a section of the CMS to do add, edit and delete controls. They will then consult the group that designs the database, or yourself. Might be an idea to find out from the class, which of them consider themselves more as a designer, engineer or a programmer. Based on the response you can split the tasks up differently. Some are core programmers, some are engineers and some concentrate on graphics and interactivity.

You will also need a group who will develop the glue between the other CMS sections.

What you have is a fantastic idea, it just requires alot of planning on your part.

I hope I've given you food for thought and that this works out well for you and the class!

Dave.

[outsource_india]

Also if you could release that big project via sourceforge or some other open source network that would be great too for the students. The students could showcase that project.

[dkc1657]

Originally Posted by goodie2shoe

Hi,

Firstly, I'd like to say that what you are doing is an amazing idea. Your pupils are going to have an experience that many people of that age would not get. A great early insight into the world of software development! Kudos to you!

I'm not sure if you still need hints and tips. Personally the success of this as a group project is fully dependant on your planning.

I believe you first need a feasible project, and a project that can be modularised. Take for example a CMS for the most basic of projects.

Each group can be given a section of the CMS to do add, edit and delete controls. They will then consult the group that designs the database, or yourself. Might be an idea to find out from the class, which of them consider themselves more as a designer, engineer or a programmer. Based on the response you can split the tasks up differently. Some are core programmers, some are engineers and some concentrate on graphics and interactivity.

You will also need a group who will develop the glue between the other CMS sections.

What you have is a fantastic idea, it just requires alot of planning on your part.

I hope I've given you food for thought and that this works out well for you and the class!

Dave.

Hey Dave,

Thanks for your encouragement!

Well the school is grades 8-12, and the class is offered to grades 11-12 students. Here are my CMS-related project ideas (which I've chosen to hopefully keep the students motivated):

1. An simple online blogging program like Facebook, Myspace, Friendster for our school's alumnae community. (A simple one, nothing fancy).

2. An online yearbook (similar to the online blogging program in a way)

3. An image gallery program similar to all of those websites that let you keep a personal photo album.

To be honest, IT is now an elective, students seem to be much more interested in the other IT class (Photoshop, Dreamweaver HTML / CSS, MS Office type skills) rather than programming.

Anyways, thanks for your insights! I really like the idea of splitting up the class as managers, engineer / programmers, designers.

[dkc1657]

Originally Posted by outsource_india

Also if you could release that big project via sourceforge or some other open source network that would be great too for the students. The students could showcase that project.

Hey good tip! But this is just high school and there are only 140 hours per course in one school year. Thats 140 hours minus probably ~20 hours for disruptions (holidays, Christmas break, spring break etc...)

Plus 95% of these students have absolutely no idea what programming is. No idea what a variable is or a loop, so I'll likely spend more than 1/2 the year just covering the basics.

I just think this is way more useful than learning Photoshop or MS Office. Unfortunately it's a numbers game, and the Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash class fills up very quickly.

[King Coder]

I love this idea and think you're awesome for trying something useful and new. Unfortunately, there are a few obstacles that you should be aware of. First of all, I wouldn't have a curriculum set in stone until you got the class and know the potential of the students (or at least have a backup plan). I've been in classes that taught HTML and after a whole year the students without prior programming knowledge or a 'want to learn programming' attitude still had no idea what they were doing. If you get a great class that wants to learn, then they will love this and it will be very rewarded. However, if you get a class full of snoozes, then you're not getting through all that stuff, and it will be frustrating.