Java: Learning to Program with Robots

JAVA: LEARNING TO PROGRAM WITH ROBOTS is an innovative approach to teaching and learning introductory object-oriented programming. Students are introduced to object-oriented concepts with simulated robots, a hands-on approach that is engaging and fun for both students and instructors. Robots are used to lay a solid object-oriented foundation upon which students build an in-depth understanding of programming concepts using a wide range of non-robotic examples. The robots approach has been successfully used for nearly six years at the University of Waterloo and has introduced more than 6,000 students to OO programming using Java.

JAVA: LEARNING TO PROGRAM WITH ROBOTS is an innovative approach to teaching and learning introductory object-oriented programming. Students are introduced to object-oriented concepts with simulated robots, a hands-on approach that is engaging and fun for both students and instructors. Robots are used to lay a solid object-oriented foundation upon which students build an in-depth understanding of programming concepts using a wide range of non-robotic examples. The robots approach has been successfully used for nearly six years at the University of Waterloo and has introduced more than 6,000 students to OO programming using Java.

Byron Weber Becker is a faculty member in the School of Computer Science at the University of Waterloo. Byron led the transition in the School's curriculum from Pascal to Java by designing and implementing the introductory programming courses. Prior to joining UW in 1991, Byron worked in IT within the manufacturing and insurance industries, and was one of the first employees of a thriving dot com business.