• Introduction to the C# programming language
• Creating Windows Forms
• Using dialog controls
• C# data types and variables
• User input and flow control
• Math functions and string operations
• C# debugging and exception handling
• Object-oriented programming concepts
• Classes, inheritance, and polymorphism
• Collections, sorting, and recursion
• File Input/Output

Now, when I saw the chapter titles, I thought that this would be cinch for me. After all, I was a pro at making things with strings in school. I could make a mean "Jacob's Ladder" and "Cat's Cradle". In high school I was really into music and knew all about C#. And, I went to Bible College and learned about Polytheism. That's a lot like Polymorphism isn't it?

WRONG!

In fact, I was soon to find out that none of the things that John Allen was learning had anything to do with the things I learned in school. And the meager computer course I took back in '86 and the HTML stuff that I dabble with on my blog don't hold a candle to what is contained in this course.

What was I to do? Was I up the creek without a paddle?

NOPE!

Really, this course is written so well that you almost don't need the teacher manual at all. In fact, most days I just told John Allen to do the next lesson or activity and left him to work on his own. Only once or twice did he ever call for my assistance. But, I say you "almost" don't need it. The Teacher's Edition does include a Chapter Summary, Activity Solution and Chapter Test for each chapter, and the computer disk that comes with the manual has printable "Hint Files" that give extra helps to a student who may be having problems with an activity. It also has printable versions of the tests if you wish to print them out to use them.

There's also a student disk that has some activity starters and other things to help the student along.

Thankfully, I didn't need to know much (if anything) about computer programming for John Allen to use this course and, besides, it is written so well that even if I did know something about it, my knowledge wouldn't be needed much.

John Allen is having a great time with this and can't wait until the second part of the course.

What? I haven't mentioned a second part? OH YEA! The Windows Programming stuff that I have talked about above is only the first semester of this year long program. The second semester is all about GAME PROGRAMMING! Yep! John Allen will learn how to make games complete with animated graphics and sound effects. His projects will include multi-player games and even games with artificial intelligence. Here are some of the other things that he will be learning (again taken from the website):

I am really pleased with Homeschool Programming's TeenCoder course! John Allen has really had fun with it and, as I've mentioned, it really doesn't need much teacher intervention at all. I'm thinking about ordering the KidCoder course for myself - I probably better start a little simpler than John Allen .

We got to review the First Edition of this great product, I just found out that the Second Edition is now out and there are some added things that you can get! Starting at the end of May, you can order instructional videos for both Windows Programming and Game Programming. They won't replace the student textbook, but will be an added thing that a student can use if he needs more reinforcement or may need something explained a little bit more.

So, you would think that something like this would cost 2 or 3 hundred dollars at least. Wrong again. The full year course is only $130 without the instructional videos. The instructional videos will cost $45 and can be purchased separately if you think you may need them. You can also purchase each semester separately if you would like. Both Windows Programming and Game Programming can be purchased for $75 each for the teacher manual/student manual set and $30 for the instructional video CD. If you think you will be doing both courses, however, I would suggest purchasing both sets together and save money. You can find out more about all of Homeschool Programming's products by clicking here or on any one of the hi-lighted links above. Others from the TOS Homeschool Crew reviewed TeenCoder and KidCoder and you can find out what they had to say by clicking here.

Now, since this product can be used in a school setting, a co-op setting, with a homeschooled student or even with a public school student at home, I will close this post by wishing you "Happy Home Educating"!

As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I was sent the first edition of both TeenCoder Windows Programming and TeenCoder Game Programming in order to try out and review on my blog.