This is the “handout” I created for the short presentation I did at the AP workshop I attended.
XNA Programming
XNA is a development tool kit that allows people to develop for the Windows PC, Zune, and Xbox. It is free. We researched in class, WII or PS2 programming is MUCH more expensive.
C# is a programming language by Microsoft that is a free download. That is the IDE and language needed to work with XNA. Download C# first – it looks just like Java.
Download C# and XNA Game Studio 3.1
http://creators.xna.com/en-US/downloads
XNA gives you everything you need:
Which the listserv, twitter, and etc. and Microsoft has been developing XNA curriculum for high school students. My twitter id is kathweaver – http://www.twitter.com/kathweaver
Programming for the Xbox is somewhat expensive: Xbox, Creator’s Club and Xbox Gold membership needed for full development.
Programming for Zune is cheaper – can get small old style Zune for < $100.
Programming for Windows PC is absolutely free.
Demonstration of XNA curriculum I did for kids at http://www.screencast.com/t/NGI3ZDBhN
FYI: Movies made using Camtasia at http://www.techsmith.com and free storage at http://www.screencast.com which is rarely blocked by school districts.
My CS blog is http://www.kweaver.org/cs
Free moodle: http://www.keytoschool.com/
Leave a Reply