Frustration Central! Slow, sometimes unresponsive online simulator does not always want to cooperate which means it may take the whole class period just to make one simple adjustment to a mobile app project. This is very frustrating to my students and takes the wind out of their sails.
I have a dedicated group of novice programmers that are interested in perusing careers in computer science.
The Mobile App Development class is new to our school this year and has the potential to draw even more students into the programming classes. We have an increased number of girls enrolled in the Programming I class which is a prerequisite for Mobile App Development class. Traditionally the programming classes have ratio of male to female of around 4:1. Many students are reluctant to take programming, especially girls, because the name "Programming" brings to mind complicated code and complex algorithms. It is exciting to see more and more students give programming a try now that we have a new and exciting sounding class like Mobile App Development.
My Project
All of the students are full of potential and are ready to learn faster than our current Mobile App Development classroom conditions will allow them to. It is the objective of the class to allow the students to develop their skills to the point of being able to create and code new and original apps that can be placed on the Android Marketplace. Due to the slowness of the app emulator my students will not complete enough of the curriculum needed to gain the knowledge needed to create new and original apps. The Android Tablets connect directly to the computer and can download the app in as little as a few seconds which would allow my students to test their apps in the real world of Android to see how the apps truly perform. The tablets would also allow the students to debug their app in a faster manner letting them advance more quickly.
The Android tablets would also be used for Mobile App Development II classes which will start 2nd semester.
It is my fear that the students that are currently enrolled in Mobile App Development I will not want to take Mobile App Development II due to the complications we have had. I do not want to see them get discouraged because they are being held back due to the slowness of the online emulators. Real world, hands on experience, not just a simulation; what a way to learn!
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