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What Teachers Say...

About Java Methods

     



The review at AP Central, March 2012
Reviews on amazon.com (for the previous edition), March 2008


Date: Mon, 30 Jul 2012 11:10:31 -0400
From: Rachelle Carlson
Subject: RE: [ap-compsci] What are the top 3 Textbooks for AP Comp Sci
To: AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

Jerome,
I've been teaching AP CS A/AB since 2003- 2004 school year.  Our High School has used these textbooks/materials:

* Java Methods A/AB by Litvin (2003-2007)
* Java Software Solutions by Lewis, Loftus, Cocking (2007-2011)
* APlusCompSci.com materials (2011-2012)

Next year we (textbook adoption committee for our county - 11 High Schools) have made the decision to use Litvin's Java Methods OOP.  I personally will be using the Litvin textbook, but, will also use material I gathered from APlusCompSci. 
...

I felt that Java Software Solutions was a little weak with simple lab assignments and lacked AP rigorous test/quiz questions.  We did seriously consider Horstman's "Big Java" and Lambert/Osborne's "Fundamentals of Java." I don't believe we had enough information about either of these textbooks rigor for tests.  Some of us really liked Lambert/Osborne's book also.  I think the Lambert/Osborne book included a lot more information than just the AP Subset throughout the textbook, however.  For experienced teachers this can be a plus.  For beginning AP teachers it might be a negative.  The Litvin's textbooks are much easier for High School students to read, focused on the AP subset, and have great rigor with lab assignments as well as test questions.  I think, as best as I recollect, that this was our basic decision for returning to Litvin's textbooks.

Hope this helps.  Good luck.

Rachelle Carlson, Forest Park High School, Woodbridge, VA



Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2007 12:32:11 -0700
From: Esswein, Angie <angie_esswein@fuhsd.org>
To: "Skylight Publishing" <support@skylit.com>

I get more excited about using your text the more I examine the details. 
I am always pleasantly surprised by the content you've created
and your ways of explaining it.

Angie Esswein, Homestead High School, Cupertino, CA



Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2007 19:37:04 -0500
From: Roselyn Teukolsky <rteuk@astro.cornell.edu>
Subject: Re: [ap-compsci] New books for APCS
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

Hi,
I very much like the look of the Litvins' latest Java Methods textbook.
It has the Java 5.0 features that we need; it is in hardcover
(a big plus for me); and you can't beat the price.
I have looked at some of the other books out there,
and think that the Java Methods book offers the best value.
I plan to order it for my classes next year.

Roselyn Teukolsky, Ithaca High School, Ithaca, NY



Date: Thu, 08 Mar 2007 10:03:55 -0800
From: "Ron Ouwerkerk" <rouwerkerk@stgeorges.bc.ca>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Litvin and Litvin' textbook
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

Gary and Maria's textbook is getting a lot of press on the list server and I would just like to add my recommendations for using their textbook as well.

It's an excellent textbook.  It has lots of good exercises and programming projects, it's very well laid out and systematic in it's progression throughout the A, then the AB topics.  It's clearly written and follows the AP curriculum quite succinctly.

Also, they provide excellent support no matter what your question is and their test packs are awesome!  They've saved me a lot of work over the years.

It's worth it.

Ron Ouwerkerk, St. George's School, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The following is a quote from a review at AP Central (for the previous edition):

For many reasons, Java Methods A and AB is a text you should consider for your classroom.  It is built specifically for the AP curriculum, it is written in a form comfortable to students, its exercises are challenging, and its resources are invaluable to teachers.  But perhaps most simply, it is an excellent text for teaching and learning Java.
Please see the complete review at AP Central (for the previous edition).

The students in Maria's introductory class studied from a draft of this book.  Here is what they said:

Question: Was the book too hard, too easy, just right?

Student answers:

I found the book to be just right.

The book was easy to understand; just right! :)

I believe the book was well written. The book was a little hard sometimes without someone to help explain it, but for the most part it was very clear.

The book was good. There was a broad range of difficulty in the questions, which was what we needed.

The book was good. The problems ranged from easy to challenging and the text of the chapters was very thorough.

The book that we used was much easier to understand than some of the other books that I have tried to read to learn Java.  Everything was explained in easier terms, for people who did not have much experience in Java, and the analogies helped me understand a lot of the more difficult concepts.

The book could be really confusing at times and I felt like it was skipping over some parts and assuming we already knew the material.

Just right.  There were a few bits that were a little hard for me to undertand just from the reading, but I could figure those parts out in class.

Read teacher testimonials about the previous editions below.

What Teachers Say...

About Java Methods

 



Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2004 20:52:15 -0700
From: "Dave Wittry" <wittry@troyhigh.com>
Subject: [ap-compsci] RE: AB Resource Question
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

Alex - For you (and your students) you can use "Java Methods AB" by Litvin (http://www.skylit.com/jmethods.html). You'll find the book excellent -- to the point, full of labs(good visual labs), fantastic support materials (ppts for each chapter, test bank, all labs in electronic form -- both setup for students and completed versions of labs, etc.). Also, Maria has written an AB syllabus synchronized to the book -- available on her site and/or apcentral.collegeboard.com.

At the link above, you can also find sample chapters directly available in pdf form -- you're lucky, I just checked and the Big-O chapter is there -- it's ch 8.

Dave Wittry, Troy High School, Fullerton, CA



Date: Fri, 3 Oct 2003 16:04:21 -0400
From: "Philip Ingber" <pingber@hvc.rr.com>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: What are the general thoughts of those in regards to a Java text?
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

Hi --- I too am using Java Methods and have nothing but praise for the textbook ...I'm on Chapters 5 & 6 and I actually think the kids are getting the concepts of classes, objects, fields etc without really knowing too much of the code syntax, plus, they LIKE Ramblecs.

The Litvin's support is amazing, just look at the stuff on their website and if that weren't enough, they answer their email VERY promptly, sometimes immediately. BTW, I've asked them general Java questions as well as textbook related items. I can't praise them emough!

As a sideline, I was one of the editors of the new ICT curriculum and I do find that its a great supplement to the Litvin text!

Phil Ingber, Nyack High School, Upper Nyack, NY



Date: Sun, 28 Sep 2003 10:06:32 EDT
From: MisterRon@aol.com
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: What are the general thoughts of those in regards to a Java ...
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

I chose the Litvin's Java Methods and Java Methods AB, because I was so impressed with their C++ for You++ with its complete coverage, wealth of exercises, tests and total support. So far I have been even more impressed with their new texts. For one, the old workbook has been eliminated by the addition of a wealth of exercises in the book. The case studies in the book teach OOP very well by providing lots of discussion and rationale on project development and how programmers divide and conquer large problems. There are many labs with practically complete programs where the students have to provide strategic code, thus getting their point across with little time consuming entering of preliminary code. The labs are diverse and include graphics and sound to motivate the students. I am thoroughly enjoying teaching AP in Java primarily because of their supportive texts. Thanks Maria and Gary!

Ron Smith, Parkview High School, Lilburn, GA



Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 14:22:58 -0400
From: "Daubenmier" <Daubenmier@columbusacademy.org>
Subject: Java Methods AB test package
To: Skylight Publishing <support@skylit.com>

I am very impressed with the test bank that comes with Java Methods AB. The problems are challenging, well written, and exacting. They do an excellent job of isolating a particular concept and testing it. It is by far the best test bank that has ever crossed my desk.

Mark Daubenmier, The Columbus Academy, Gahanna, OH



Date: Fri, 8 Aug 2003 11:17:05 -0500
From: Jimmy Newland <newton@jayfox.net>
Subject: Access to teacher materials
To: support@skylit.com

I am using your text in my AP Computer Science class at Bellaire High School in Houston ISD this year. I am trying to get the district to buy a classroom set, otherwise the funds must come from my campus.

The book and syllabus are great. I used the book this summer to teach myself OOP and Java and I LOVE your exercises and programming projects.

Thanks for the great book! :)

Jimmy Newland, Bellaire High School, Houston, Texas



Date: Thu, 07 Aug 2003 10:56:03 -0400
From: "Mark Payton" <mpayton@vermontacademy.org>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: JAVA TEXT
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

I've settled on Java Methods from Skylight Publishing as our primary text. You can check it out on the web site at http://www.skylit.com/javamethods/index.html. The book is well thought-out, focuses on the AP materials, well supported by the website and inexpensive as textbooks go.

Mark Payton, Vermont Academy, Saxtons River, VT



Date: Tue, 6 May 2003 23:40:29 -0400
From: Gregory King <mathking@world.oberlin.edu>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: Litvin's Java Methods
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

I have found Java Methods to be a good book for my intro programming class this year. The resources are very good, including code, examples and power point slides. The students generally feel they can read the book and understand it. This was particularly important for me this year since we had a baby the last day of first semester so I was out for the first two weeks of the second semester and my intro programming students had the book as their main resource. When the budget crunch in our district clears I think it is likely we will seriously consider the Skylit AB book as well.

Greg King, Dublin Coffman High School, Dublin, OH



Date: Wed, 02 Apr 2003 17:06:33 -0500
From: Etorresran@aol.com
Subject: [apcs] Java textbooks
To: "AP Computer Science Teachers" <apcsteachers@kserver.org>

I've been using Litvin's Java Methods book for my Intro to Java course. My students and I are really enjoying the exercises. The readability of the text makes it easier for me... I don't need a lot of extra handouts to explain the text to the students. During lectures, I directly refer to the book and elaborate here and there. But for the most part, I can expect my students to read the book. And for most of my students, English is not their first language.

Evelyn Torres-Rangel, Gabrielino High School, San Gabriel, CA



Date: Wed, 02 Apr 2003 11:18:38 -0500
From: "Rich Goldschmidt" <goldy@loomis.org>
Subject: Re: [apcs] Java textbooks
To: "AP Computer Science Teachers" <apcsteachers@kserver.org>

herbison@montytech.net writes:

>would like to start teaching AP Java this fall at my high school.
>We will be on Macintosh computers, probably using NetBeans. Any
>suggestions for a textbook to use?

The Litvin Books are excellent: Java Methods. Their web site is www.skylit.com.

Richard Goldschmidt, Loomis Chaffee School, Windsor, CT



Date: Wed, 02 Apr 2003 10:01:24 -0700
From: Roger Frank <rfrank@rfrank.us>
Subject: Re: [apcs] [Java textbooks]
To: "AP Computer Science Teachers" <apcsteachers@kserver.org>

On Wed, 02 Apr 2003 07:59:35 -0800
deliot@mindspring.com wrote:
>I was wondering if high school teachers on this list could post
>what Java textbook they will be using next year.

Litvin's "Java Methods" and their "Java Methods AB" text along with "Be Prepared for the AP Computer Science Exam in Java". It all works very well together and the suport is excellent.

Roger Frank, Ponderosa High School, Parker, CO



Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2002 07:30:31 -0800
From: "Leo Immonen" <limmonen@rcn.com>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Recommend Java Methods
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

I am making my first contribution to this listserve. I have been teaching the AP Computer Science course at my public high school since its inception in 1984. I have been silently reading and benefiting from this listserve for all these years. Now I am prepared to contribute. I have decided to start with the Java language this year. Since I know how hard it is to select a text, I decided to share my experience with the text I chose, Litvin's Java Methods.

I am delighted with the text. The reading level is approriate for my students. It has case studies throughout to allow the students to see the "big picture." It is written specifically for the A Course. I find the assignments to be appropriate for students preparing for that test. I am particularly impressed with the supporting materials: complete solutions for all programming exercises, powerpoint slides for all chapters, sample syllabi, a test bank that includes both short answer and short coding problems with solutions. I have been especially impressed with the support that the Litvins give. Whenever I need help, the Litvins promptly respond by email with helpful suggestions. I find the ability to correspond with the authors to be very valuable and conforting when no one else in my school has any idea what I am teaching. Java Methods is a complete package for the AP Computer Science A Course.

Leo Immonen, Norwood High School, Norwood, MA



Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 10:45:34 -0600
From: "White, Ricky D." <whiter@casady.org>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: resources for students and teachers
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

C++ for you as well as Java Methods is great. The only problem with C++ for You++ is a lack of Powerpoint Slides. They did correct that with Java Methods. I have not reviewed the AB version of Java Methods yet.

Ricky White, Casady School, Oklahoma City, OK



Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 06:55:48 -0800
From: "Joe Quinn" <redquinn99@yahoo.com>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: resources for students and teachers
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

I have been using Maria and Gary Litvins book for C++ called "C++ for U++". I have been very pleased with it. I have found the resources that are available with the book to be very useful. They are available through the web site: http://www.skylit.com/. Since I enjoyed that book so much I decided to adopt their "Java Methods" book for my Java class. I took her workshop at Brewster Academy this past summer. I feel it has prepared me well for my first experience teaching Java this spring.

Joe Quinn, Hollis/Brookline High School, Hollis, NH



Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 17:51:28 +0800
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>
From: Greg King <mathking@columbus.rr.com>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: resources for students and teachers

I agree with the assessment of C++ for You++. I used it my first few years of CS teaching and am quite pleased with Java Methods as well. They are well structured books which are fairly easy to read and the support is wonderful. I can't imagine the authors of the Stat or Calc books I have used emailing me back the same day with technical question answers.

Greg King, Dublin Coffman High School, Dublin, OH



Date: Thu, 07 Nov 2002 23:01:16 -0500
From: John Hanna <jhanna@teaneckschools.org>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: resources for students and teachers
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

1. Don't be 'intimidated'. They will ALWAYS think they know more than you.

2. Litvin is a great HS book (either C++ or Java)

...

John Hanna, Teaneck High School, Teaneck, N.J.



Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 07:09:40 -0800 (PST)
From: Daniel Heller <djheller_2000@yahoo.com>
Subject: RE: Proposal for an AP Computer Science workshop
To: Maria Litvin <mlitvin@andover.edu>

I did receive the book you sent me. Thanks very much! I am really enjoying starting to go over this book -- looks like exactly the book I wanted to know about when I was a trainer (people often asked me for a reference for a good book for beginners and this is the best I have seen so far!)...

Daniel Heller, Tufts University, Medford, MA



Date: Sat, 9 Nov 2002 11:39:50 -0500 (EST)
From: Bill Paladino <wpaladin@suffolk.lib.ny.us>

As a software engineer who is a stickler for clearly presented material, I found JM to be wonderful. In addition, it gives you MORE than just a language text and includes useful background on the Internet and good programming practices. I recommend it.

Bill Paladino, Senior Software Engineer
St. Joseph's College, Patchogue, New York



Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2002 19:13:28 +0800
From: Greg King <mathking@columbus.rr.com>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: Looking for a way to format output in Java
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.collegeboard.com>

I would like to say thanks to Gary Litvin for the posts. They work well. They have been valuable for me twice now. Once as a straightforward way to do simple formatting and then as an excellent example of how programming "really" works in Java. It is true that things which were once easy are now often more difficult, but it really does force you to think differently.

I have been doing more critical reading of textbooks, and I am interested in what people think about how they are written. Basically, it seems that some of the texts I have reviewed are really written from a Java orientation and some seem to be more translations of older texts into Java, so to speak. I think these second books at first attracted me because they were easier for me to understand. I am glad, however, that we chose a book (Java Methods) that seems to written from the ground up, focusing on Java and object oriented design.

Greg King, Dublin Coffman High Scool, Dublin, OH



Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002 13:47:26 -0500
From: DColkitt@AkronSchools.org
Subject: [ap-compsci] What to do this summer...
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.ets.org>

I am currently using Litvin's "Java Methods" in an intro programming course. My students find it easy to use. There are support materials available now, and I believe AB material will be supported soon as well. I plan to use this text in my AP class when we switch to Java.

Dave Colkitt, Akron Central School, Akron, NY



Date: Fri, 18 Jan 2002 23:18:38 -0500 (EST)
From: Askew <askew@po.woodward.edu>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: Java Text for AP CS
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.ets.org>

It is too soon to choose a text for AP CS in Java for 2003-4. Who knows what will be available or needed in two years.

But for Java courses now, I am really enjoying using Litvin & Litvin, "Java Methods: An Introduction to Object Oriented Programming." My semester course is designed to introduce students to Java, and myself to Java OOP in anticipation of the AP switch.

Each chapter has wonderful exercises at the end for assignment, with answers for many questions on the Student Disk (online or downloadable), as well as a teacher disk with answers for all questions. You can also get the new "Java Methods Test Package" (which is incredible) for use with the text ($75, but you only have to buy one copy). My chapter tests are there for the taking!

The Litvins have made this an easy-to-teach course with so many resources available. I recommend it highly to those (like myself) who need as much help as they can get in supplementary materials.

Julie Askew, Woodward Academy, College Park, GA



Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2002 09:28:58 -0500 (EST)
From: GinnyLom@cs.com
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: Java Text for AP CS
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.ets.org>

Another great text for Java is the Java Methods text by Maria Litvin. It is a good size - not so heavy as Deitel - and it is easy to follow. Plus, there are some interesting case studies which students can take and run with.

Ginny Lombard, Charlestown High School, Charlestown, MA



Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2002 14:37:03 +0800
From: "john p.m. ehrling" <jehrling@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: Java Text for AP CS
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.ets.org>

I agree. Many of the Java textbooks are written for college students. The books are too big and too difficult to read for HIgh School students.

I am teaching a Java class this year and I am using "Java Methods" by Maria Litvin. I am very plaeased with this text for my A-students. The book is easy to read and it is not too big. There is plenty of support from the authors and additional resources at their website ( a test packet, for example).

Also, I understand that there will be an additional supplement to this text covering materials needed in an AB course.

John P.M. Ehrling, Mineola High School Garden City Park, NY



Date: Wed, 16 Jan 2002 14:20:13 -0600
From: Wade Hood <wade.hood@region16.net>
Subject: Java Methods
To: Skylight Publishing <support@skylit.com>

I like the setup of the textbook. In the past, I have had to create my own 'case-studies' to introduce beginning programmers to more complex, user-friendly, (and actually) useful programs. This book creates that tool for the instructor, showing even advanced students a framework to build their own programs.

Wade Hood, Canadian High School Canadian, TX



Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2001 16:53:18 -0500
From: h16joe <h16joe@msn.com>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: Java Textbooks
To: "AP Computer Science"

I have ordered, received, and reviewed five or six Java books thus far and I am leaning towards the "Java Methods" book by Gary and Maria Litvin. (Lots of support materials!)

Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 21:07:53 -0400
From: h16joe <h16joe@msn.com>
Subject: [ap-compsci] Re: Intro to Programming Text/Resources??
To: "AP Computer Science" <ap-compsci@lyris.ets.org>

You might like to look into JAVA METHODS by Maria and Gary Litvin. It should meet most, if not all, of your requirements. You can find out for yourself by visiting: http://www.skylit.com/javamethods/index.html

Joe Tosh, Atlantic City High School, Atlantic City, NJ



Date: Thu, 21 Jun 2001 09:54:39 -0700
From: Bob Davis <rodavis@sfhs.com>
Subject: Re: Need a good Java book for High School students?
To: ap-compsci@ets.org

I've found an excellent book that you may want to check out. Java Methods by Maria and Gary Litvin is very good. You can find more information about it on http://www.skylit.com/jmethods.html .

Bob Davis, Saint Francis High School, Mountain View, CA



Date: Tue, 22 May 2001 13:44:02 -0400
From: Brian Scarbeau <bscarbeau@lhps.org>
Subject: RE: JAVA book
To: Skylight Publishing <support@skylit.com>

I have read up to chapter 12 in your new Java book and I'm learning quite a bit. Your explanations are very clear and I really like your case study approach as an example of content you just learned in the chapter reading.

Brian Scarbeau, Lake Highland Preparatory School, Orlando, FL



Date: Tue, 22 May 2001 17:28:30 -0500
From: "Kathleen Weaver" <kweaver@tenet.edu>
Subject: Re: [apcs] Java Methods
To: apcsteachers@kserver.org

MAN, I love your book. I just wrote to my district specialist that we need this.

...Whoops, meant to send that to the Litvin's. BUT the Java Methods book looks absolutely great. Covers all the material my district wants covered.

Kathleen Weaver, Hillcrest High School, Dallas, TX



Date: Tue, 22 May 2001 20:40:04 -0600
From: R Frank <rfrank@rfrank.net>
Subject: Re: [apcs] Java Methods
To: "AP Computer Science Teachers" <apcsteachers@kserver.org>

On Tue, 22 May 2001 17:16:09 -0500 "Kathleen Weaver" <kweaver@tenet.edu> wrote (to the Litvins):

> MAN, I love your book. I just wrote to my district specialist
>that we need this.

Kathleen, I concur. I've already committed to Java Methods text for this fall and am working my way through exercises even now. Find a way to make it happen.

Roger Frank, Ponderosa High School, Parker, CO



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