Week 2: Lesson 3: Editing XML, and Viewing it in the Graphical Layout

Lesson 3: Editing XML, and Viewing it in the Graphical Layout

INTRODUCTION

In this lesson you will develop good habits as a beginning programmer by testing what each piece of code does, and seeing and experimenting with how it works. Through a trial-and-error approach, you will understand how to change certain parts of the code to see how it comes out in the Graphic Layout of Eclipse. You will also learn how to clean a Java project of errors and debug it as well.

LESSON OBJECTIVES

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Section #1: Establishing Good Programming Habits

1.     Review expert tips, tools and suggestions to develop your programming skills

2.     Describe the benefits of “cleaning” a Java For Android Project

Section #2: Describe the changes that happen when you edit the XML

1.     Identify the components of the XML and how it works with the Java language to define views.

2.     Determine how to manipulate XML to produce desired results.

Section #3: Understanding the Importance of the GUI

1.     Describe the benefits of using a graphic user interface (GUI) in the development process.

Section #4: Video Demonstration of How to Clean Your Project

1.     Learning how to 'Clean' your project

2.     How to change code in the XML

3.     How to view changes in Graphical Layout

LEARNING SEQUENCE

Required Reading	Read the following: ·      Section #1: How to start programming in Android Eclipse Tips and Customization Solutions for Common Android Development Problems ·      Section #2: Layouts ·      Section #3: Graphical Layout Editor
Resources	View the following:  ·      Eclipse (Integrated Development Environment) ·      Android Software Development Tools (SDK) ·      Sample Code ·      Video Transcripts
Assignments	Complete the following: ·      What Do Beginning Programmers Need to Know about Android? ·      What’s in a GUI?

INSTRUCTION

Section #1: Establishing Good Programming Habits

In this section, you will develop an understanding of what it is like to work as an Android developer and programmer.

Step 1.

Read: How to start programming in Android

In this interview with Tony Hillerson, an Android developer at Effective UI, you will read about the skills and tools you’ll need to become an Android developer. Hillerson also discusses a variety of topics related to programming for Android with Java, including understanding how Android's XML-defined views translate onto the screen. Information about the mobile marketplace is also discussed.

Step 2.

Read: Eclipse Tips and Customization

This article presents useful information you can use to better understand the power of Eclipse with Android plugin. You will also review information presented on the many editors Eclipse uses and understand how to best configure them. The topic of version control is also touched upon at the end of this tip sheet.

Step 3.

Read: Solutions for Common Android Development Problems

In this short tutorial you will be provided an overview of the process of “cleaning” an Android project in the Eclipse IDE. This will be beneficial as you begin the development process. In the process of Android programming you will need to be able to “clean” your project and also check for errors in development.

Step 4.

Complete Assignment #1: What Do Beginning Programmers Need to Know about Android?

Section #2: Describe the changes that happen when you edit the XML

In this section you will be introduced to XML layouts and the options for using them in the development of a layout for an Android application.

Step 1.

Read: Layouts

In this resource you are introduced to the user interface components of Android through the process of editing the XML code for the layout. On this web page view the area titled Write The XML. In this area you are provided a section of sample code for the layout described. Review this page and read the areas titled Load The XML Resource, Attributes, ID and Layout Parameters. These sections will provide you with an overview of the components of the XML and how it works with the Java language to define the views.

Section #3: Understanding the Importance of the GUI

An important part of most applications is the Graphical User Interface, or GUI. In this section you will explore how to use the Graphical Layout Editor to develop your Android application.

Step 1.

Read: Graphical Layout Editor

This reading will assist you in describing the benefits of using a graphic user interface (GUI) in the development process. You will review all of the main features of the editor including the canvas, outline, palette and configuration chooser. Viewing video segments provided in links in the reading will allow you to see how these features work.

Step 2.

Complete Assignment #2: What’s in a GUI?

Section #4: Video Demonstration of How to Clean Your Project 

Cleaning your project is when Eclipse scans your app of any false errors, and cleans it. This video demonstration will walk you through the process of how to clean your project. This is an important step that programmers must use throughout the development process to make certain that there are no errors in their code and that their applications run seamlessly. You will also practice how to change code in the XML and then learn how to view changes in Graphical Layout. Please pause and review the video, as necessary, to complete tasks. Transcripts are provided.

Step 1.

View & Practice: Lesson 3 [10:10]

SUMMARY

In this lesson you gained exposure to XML and experimented and tested various changes to your code. You also used Eclipse to clean your project and to identify any potential errors, a necessary step and best practice for all programmers. Through demonstration, trial and error with XML and your code, you explored various graphical layout options with manipulations to the code. In the next lesson you will expand on your knowledge of the Java language as you work more in-depth with the Eclipse IDE.

ASSIGNMENTS

·      What Do Beginning Programmers Need to Know about Android?

·      What’s in a GUI?

Students Leading Ed Tech Change: Drawing Inspiration From The Tech Savvy Student

In my past 8 years of teaching a variety of levels of technology fluent students in the classroom I have become exposed to the variety of different ways that students supplement their knowledge acquisition of technology skills while away from the traditional classroom. I always find it very interesting when speaking with students to discover how they found this tool or that web resource and see how they have built upon their skills completely independent of school curriculum. I am also curious how they then share and collaborate with these skills. 

Technology knowledge driven students spend hours of their time learning how to learn develop a variety of skills such as programming, research skills, web fluency and development. In this process they define goals, find resources and match those goals to projects with meaning. These students become the leaders and show superior knowledge acquisition in most classrooms. We hopefully have all met these trailblazers at some point in our educational careers, they take acquiring skills in which to create projects and develop knowledge to a new level. I love working with these students because I learn from them and I grow with them. By encouraging them I am allowed to envision what their projects goals are and how their research will impact their learning.

In my web design and mobile app development courses I often had students who had more advanced programming knowledge prior to taking my introductory course. Some of these students acquired their skills in a summer camp or other venue but many of them had found the resources themselves on the web and become familiar with the skills necessary to be complete tasks independently.We operate in a time in education in which most students have many resources to direct their own independent learning. 

I think it is important to ask students: "What skills and knowledges do they use to compensate for the knowledge’s they don't find in the traditional curriculum?" It is with their answers that educators can find the opportunity to provide students with a range of new and interesting skills. It is time to investigate what students research, and how they use their time to better understand what the world of education is for students who are doing much of their learning online. This will provide a real opportunity for educators to see what they're missing. It may lead to better formulated lessons, more comprehensive curriculum and skill based learning. 

Having a classroom open to collaboration and connecting to the real world by introducing business owners, entrepreneurship opportunities and connection to employability based soft skills can help keep your classroom vibrant and infused with learning which is relevant to world applied knowledges. The modern student is looking for the knowledge and examples to apply skills to complete projects with self defined goals which are relevant in the real world. I really believe this is at the heart of education, helping students learn and guiding them towards resources. Let's allow them to develop their own thoughts and create their own projects which can really help change the world.

Students are engaged with games like Minecraft, which enables students to create their own worlds and are able to develop their knowledge of the Java programming language to create modifications (Mods) to their games and worlds. Our current technology education system has not caught up with these trends and provided opportunities for students to develop the skills in the real world classroom. In this process we are losing out on a critical opportunity to connect with students and better understand what drives their acquisition of knowledge. We are also not able to frame their skills and build realistic connections to apply their skills in the real world. Students are deciphering the web and finding their own curriculum in order to learn how to acquire deeply engaging technology embedded skills.

Students are also learning new programming languages that their current classroom teacher has not caught onto yet. Their young active minds are moving beyond just being tech savvy and helpful when a teacher is in trouble, they have developed their own system of knowledge acquisition which plans projects and needs to be valued and encouraged in and out of the traditional classroom.

Educators are missing not only a valuable opportunity to connect but also but also a valuable opportunity to continue their personal growth with the integration of technology. Embracing the independent technology learner enables teachers to draw from student experience and knowledge and can help create more engaging lessons and strategies to connect with students. The web the way students view it.