Creating Games with XNA® Game Studio and C#

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New High School Computer Science Course

Creating Games with XNA® Game Studio and C#

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Fall 2009

Recruit students to your schools’ computer science classes by adding a new game development course!

Students will develop computer science knowledge and skills by learning how to program in C# using the Microsoft® XNA Game framework and Visual Studio® platform to create games.

XNAGame Studio 3.0 enables hobbyists, academics, and independent developers to create video games for Microsoft Windows®, the Microsoft Zune® digital media player, and Xbox 360.®

Visual Studio is a professional development environment that has been taught in HS CS classes for years.

Although students learn how to create games, this curriculum unit is “serious” computer science. It covers most of the fundamental concepts that high school students need to know in order to succeed in introductory college-level computer science courses. The topics that are explored in this course are applicable to the wider scheme of computer science and interactive media studies.

Successful Teaching Scenario: Grade level: High School

Length of study: one semester or more (This course can easily be extended into a year-long course by adding more advanced topics or longer, team-based projects.)

Pre-requisites: Students need prior programming experience to succeed in this course.

  • Some experience working in a software development environment such as Visual Studio and languages such as Visual Basic, C# or Java.
  • Basic computer science or programming knowledge and experience including the use of variables, control structures, and object-oriented programming.

Teacher preparation should include knowledge of object oriented languages and expertise in teaching computer science at the high school level. This course will be valuable as a second semester or year-long course in a computer science program or to replace the Advanced Placement Computer Science AB course.

The free course materials include an e-textbook, timeline, suggested activities, presentations, project ideas and teaching notes. Educators participating in the pilot will receive a free, hard-copy XNA textbook.

“Educators will be thrilled with the depth and breadth of the teaching resources provided.”

~ Dr. S. E. Gunn, Ph. D., Professor of Learning & Technology

“The teacher who has been looking for a hook to keep students in computer science needn't look any further! Absolutely awesome materials … easy to follow, easy to teach, and easy to extend.”

~ Dave Jacobus, Retired Computer Science Teacher/Software Developer

If you would like to sign up to pilot this course or would like additional information, please contact:

Pat Phillips at: v-paphil (at) microsoft.com

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