Peer Review

Trail: JavaBeans(TM)

Material Detail page

Reviewed:: Jun 17, 2003 by Information Technology

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Ratings

Overall Rating:

Content Quality:

Effectiveness:

Ease of Use:

Overview:: This material is a combination resource and tutorial for the advanced topic of
JavaBeans. In the words of the author: "This document is a hands-on guide to
learning JavaBeans and the Beans Development Kit (BDK)." An excellent
step-by-step tutorial to introduce Java and develop programming concepts. This
is a Sun professional site, but the tutorial is top notch, full
of screen shots and helpful hints
Type of Material:: The material is both reference and tutorial with an index and help as well as
links to downloads and additional resources
Recommended Uses:: The material could be used as standalone supplemented by lectures or a textbook
(could be used to practice the tutorial outside of class time to reinforce the
class assignments and lecture).
Technical Requirements:: Any JDK1.1-compliant browser or tool implicitly supports JavaBeans. The Beans
Development Kit (BDK) is available on line and there are links to it (it would
be helpful to actually download the Java development program
to try the actual programs as you go through the tutorial)
Identify Major Learning Goals:: The goal of the material is to provide the student with a tutorial and details
necessary to implement a project in JavaBeans. The material leads the student
the creation and implementation. Code is provide which can be copied and
pasted (the step-by-step tutorial material covering everything from "Hello
World" to working with Java classes and to use Swing)
Target Student Population:: This material is for an advanced student who already is comfortable with Java
and the Object Oriented Methodology (i.e. High School AP students and College
students).
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: Previous experience in programming, Unix, Java, and OO. It would
be best used along with a collegiate lecture on the same topic as a
reinforcement. Basic Programming Skills needed.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:: Up to date material which works well as a tutorial and as a reference
material.This site introduces core API that was added to the Java Development
Kit introductory Java topics to heavy expert Java programming development. A
practical guide for programmers with hundreds of complete, working examples and
dozens of trails(tutorials)--groups of lessons on a particular subject.
Concerns:: This is a commercial site that has book sales, but the material is still
extremely solid and helpful. Many advanced topics are available on the site but
a student would need previous knowledge of Java programming.
Must not be given to students who are not prepared for advanced work.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:: This is a commercial site that has book sales, but the material is still
extremely solid and helpful. Many advanced topics are available on the site but
a student would need previous knowledge of Java programming.
Provides all the details in as easy an approach possible with this level of
material.
Concerns:: Make sure the student is prepared and has the necessary skills for JavaBeans.The
level of difficulty jumps quite quickly from the earlier examples to the
advanced material.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:: When appropriate links are provided for those concepts where the student can
gain more detail and information. Code samples are provided that can be copied
and pasted. Materials are easy to follow for a programming student.
Concerns:: Complex material. A lot of reading must be done to comprehend the topics.

Other Issues and Comments:: The faculty member must be sure that the students are ready for this material.
DO they have the necessary skills?
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