Help Getting Started

[Jinkoo]

Hey Im new to the forums.

So let me start off by saying I am 17 year old Highschool student.
My school is beginning a class for applications next year and I am kind of the head "guinea pig" so to say. I am kind of looking for some advice on how to get started

Since this is for school, we can get funding for programs like Basic4Android; but its hard to know if its worth it without me testing it out.

I started off with Google app inventor and well, its not the best. It doesn't have as much customization as I would like.
I cannot get the Android SDK to work with a GUI editor. :/


Where would you guys recommend I use? Where should I go from here?

Thanks!!
~Jinkoo

[FergatROn]

Hi Jinko,

If i understand correctly you're school is starting an "applications" class soon. What's the purpose of the class, to talk about applications, mobile in general, or to actually develop mobile applications? Is it Android only?

[Jinkoo]

The class is for actually developing applications. We would like to make it based around mobile apps for the android market. This is because the android market is increasing in popularity and will continue to increase.

[FergatROn]

In order to figure out what route for you to take there are a lot of questions that need to be answered:

1. What is the skill level of the students you expect to take this class? Can they program ANYTHING or are they all noobs (which isn't a bad thing. Everyone has to start somewhere).
2. How will the class be setup? Is it a presentation or hands-on for everyone? Meaning will there only be one computer walking the students through the concepts and development or will everyone have their own machine to develop on?
3. Do you want to develop in the Cloud or on a local machine?
4. Do you have any apps, specifically, that you want to start out with?
5. How long is the course?
6. How much homework do you expect the students to do?
7. etc...

I'm not a teacher so I'm not sure exactly what information you need. In order to guide you, I'm guessing that you'll need:

• A good text book for all the students
• A good web reference, such as Android Developer's Guide.
• A good web community to plug into. All the students should be expected to sign up for Droid Forum and xda developers accounts AND be active in posting and reading the threads.

I think the most important aspect to your project successding is having the right information and a project to apply the information you've learned. I hope that helps, let me know if I derailed this thread or if I was on the mark with what you're looking for.

[Jinkoo]

You've been such a great help so far!


What is the skill level of the students you expect to take this class? Can they program ANYTHING?

The class will be ranging from noobs to advanced students with some skill with C++ and java.

How will the class be setup? Is it a presentation or hands-on for everyone?

The classroom is a computer lab. Each student will have a computer with the programs present. Giving them their own creativity and ability to grow. I would like to present a hands on "trial by error" setting. Showing a demonstration and letting them learn by exploration. Otherwise its just mindless repetitive tasks, and lets face it.. My cat with no whiskers can do better than that.

Do you want to develop in the Cloud or on a local machine?

I personally would like it to be on a cloud. Its easily accessible, and this allows kids to work from home, but either works.

Do you have any apps, specifically, that you want to start out with?

Not specifically. I would like some suggestions in this area.. A LOT! (For me as well so i can get my feet wet.)

How long is the course?

12 weeks.

How much homework?

Honestly, none unless they dont get it done in class. Or there is a huge assignment.

• A good text book for all the students

• A good web reference, such as Android Developer's Guide.

• A good web community to plug into. All the students should be expected to sign up for Droid Forum and xda developers accounts AND be active in posting and reading the threads.

No Text book needed. :P Books are for amateurs(implying).
I'll have to look into xda devs. And do you guys really want however many students on here? :P
BEFORE I'm able to get other kids started in the SDK, I need to be able to use Eclipse, unless you have a different program I should be using.

[Jinkoo]

Unworthy Self-bump.

[mwhartman]

Moved to the apps development section. Hopefully, you will receive more responses in this section.
Mike

[Natey2]

BEFORE I'm able to get other kids started in the SDK, I need to be able to use Eclipse, unless you have a different program I should be using.

eclipse has probably the largest user base for a Java development environment, and it is free.
Slight learning curve, but well worth the effort.

I had been an IBM VisualAge user previously (eventually led to eclipse).

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