CodeHS Launches AP CS A Labs Course
You can now use AP CS A Labs, including with GUIs, in the browser on CodeHS!
CodeHS is happy to announce that we are launching a new AP CS A Labs course. This Labs Course includes three College Board recommended practice labs, and two CodeHS originals. Each lab can be used to satisfy the 20 hours of recommended lab time necessary to prepare for the AP CS A exam, or as additional coursework for students after they’ve already taken the exam!
The labs included in this course are:
Elevens
With recent changes to our Java servers, we are now able to support Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs), making the Labs Course interactive and engaging. Elevens requires students to build the card game Elevens using a series of Card and Deck classes, illustrating the way classes can be effectively constructed and organized to function in tandem with one another. At the end of the lab, students can use an interactive GUI to play the card game they implemented.
Picture Lab
In this lab, students learn the basics of picture manipulation through the use of 2D arrays, and the role that pixels play in creating digital images. Students will create a series of image filters used to enhance and alter existing images.
Magpie Lab
Students are given the opportunity to interact with and manipulate Magpie, a low level chatbot designed to show students the basics of Natural Language Processing. Students will add to the library of responses that Magpie is able to share with users, and discover the complicated nature of human-computer interaction.
Battleship
Incorporated from our AP CS A (Mocha) course, the Battleship lab provides students a step by step guide to creating an interactive version of the popular game Battleship. Students develop a series of Board, Ship, and Location and Player classes that coexist to create a seamless gaming experience.
Pokemon Simulation
Based on the popular video game series, Pokemon, students learn the basics of video game design by creating a simulated Pokemon battle. Students create the names, moves, and stats associated with Pokemon that they create, and watch as they battle one another!
We hope these labs provide students with new and exciting ways to interact with Java on CodeHS.
Interested in getting started with any of the labs? Use these quick links to enroll students in whichever ones you’d like:
Elevens: codehs.com/playlist/6288
Magpie: codehs.com/playlist/6289
Picture: codehs.com/playlist/6290
Battleship: codehs.com/playlist/6291
Pokémon: codehs.com/playlist/629
