A CS1 to CS2 bridge class using 2D game programming

Many students view our current CS1/CS2 sequence as abstract, boring, and hence too difficult. We present a new CS1 to CS2 bridge class developed and taught spring 2005. Our bridge class, perhaps called CS 1.5, uses 2D game programming in Flash ActionScript to solidify CS1 concepts, introduce concrete examples, introduce some new concepts such as graphics and event driven programming, and motivating the need for CS2. It is our hope that this class will better prepare students for CS2, increase their enthusiasm, and help retain majors.