This document provides information about a full year Windows and Game Programming course taught using Visual Basic. The course will cover foundational programming concepts like data types, program flow, user input, and debugging as well as game development topics such as graphics, animation, sound, physics, artificial intelligence, and saving games. Students will develop their own graphical game by the end of the course. The course uses a textbook that can be rented for $90 or purchased for $125.55. Students must provide a laptop meeting the specified requirements to download and run the Microsoft Visual Basic development environment. The tutor has degrees in Computer Science and experience in both industry and education. Course tuition is $250 for the year or $225 if paid in full by

1. Windows and Game
Programming 1
2011-2012 School Year
Full Year Course Cheryl Claussen
Grades 6-12 Recommended Home: 269-671-4213 Cell: 269-414-8178
1 Computer Science credit or 1 Elective credit tlckalamazoomrsclaussen@gmail.com
Course Description
Students will use Visual Basic to learn Windows and Game Programming fundamentals. Students will
learn foundational gaming topics such as graphics, animation, sound effects, game physics, game logic,
artificial intelligence, and more! The Visual Basic programming language is widely used in academia
and the software industry. Invest your student’s time in the modern languages they will learn and use
throughout their college and professional life. You won’t have to twist any arms to get this homework
done.
Windows Programming topics covered: Game Programming topics Covered:
 Brief introduction to computer hardware,  Game design concepts
software, and programming history  Drawing shapes on the screen
 Introduction to the Microsoft Visual Basic  Responding to keyboard clicks and
2010 Express development environment mouse movements
 Managing different types of data such as  Displaying and animating images
numbers and text  Object position, movement and
 Learning how to make decisions about acceleration
program flow  Collision detection
 Obtaining and validating user input  Playing music and creating sound
 Working with numbers and math effects
operations  Artificial "game" intelligence
 Working with strings (text)  Saving and loading games
 Learning how to debug (find errors in)  Game Physics
your code  Printing screens to the printer
 Learning how to write loops to execute
sections of code many times
 Working with arrays (sets of data)
 Learning how to publish your programs to
other computers
 Putting it all together -- write a simple
graphical game!
Grading
Tests, quizzes, hand-outs, assigned projects done at home, in-class projects, and exams done in class
receive a percentage from the tutor. 1 - 2 hours of outside class work is projected for each week. Class
attitude and weekly performance will also be taken into consideration. These percentages are averaged at
the end of each semester. Parents can then give a letter grade according to their grading scale. A
certificate of completion is granted at the end of the academic year.

2. Required Texts
Rented or Purchased through tutor.
Rental Option: $90 deposit with $45 returned at end of academic year if text is returned in Nice
to Good Condition. Nice: Slightly handled or used, Minimal wear, No writing/marks. Good:
Regular use and wear, <10% pages marked/highlighted.
Purchase Option: $125.55
Required Supplies
o USB flash drive (Labeled with name)
o 1 ½ - 2” 3-ring binder with six dividers with tabs
o Sharp pencils & pencil sharpener
o Eraser
o Lined paper
o Laptop with the following requirements: Students will download a free software package
from Microsoft for their development environment. After the initial download, the student can
complete the course entirely on their own computer; no additional Internet access is required
(though many useful programming resources are available online). In order to run the Microsoft
product, your student’s laptop must have the following minimum requirements:
 A CPU of at least 1.6Ghz
 At least 1024MB of RAM
 A display monitor with 1024 x 768 or higher resolution
 A graphics card supporting DirectX-10 or later
 A 5400+ RPM hard drive with 3GB or more free space
 Windows XP + SP2, Vista or Windows 7 Operating System
 An Internet connection
Course Prerequisites
Students should be familiar with using a keyboard and mouse to select and run programs, navigate
application menu systems, and interact with the Windows operating system. Students should understand
how to store and retrieve files on the hard disk and how to use Windows Explorer to navigate a file system
and directory structures. Students will learn how to program a computer from the ground up, but they
should already know the basics about using one!
Course Tuition & Fees
Tuition $250.00 for the year. $225.00 if paid in full by June 1. I will work with families that are
interested in a semester or monthly payment plan. **5% discount if you refer a family and they enroll for at
least one Claussen tutored class. (Only through June 1st)
About the Tutor
My husband and I live in Hickory Corners with our three children and 2 cats. We love the Lord and do our
best to serve Him wherever and whenever we can. I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree with majors in
both Mathematics and Computer Science from Alma College and a Master of Science Degree in Computer
Science from Western Michigan University. I have taught Computer Science and Mathematics at
professional, collegiate, and high school levels in both private and public settings. Before our
homeschooling journey began, I was a software engineer and database administrator for Eaton
Corporation. I also travelled throughout west Michigan as a database consultant. Now, the majority of
my time is spent schooling my children and developing our small homestead. When I have free time, I
love long walks with friends.