2008/6/16 Albert Sweigart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > Hello all, << SNIP >>
> I noticed that there was a large gap in this area, one that used to be > filled by BASIC books (the old BASIC games books like the ones at > atariarchives.org especially). It seems that many kids today learn > programming on their TI graphing calculators or learn HTML/Javascript, or > get one of the many game creation kits out there. Apropos of this GameMaker has been quite popular in Portland, as a course offering, and does lead to real programming skills, from what I've observed (I've turned down a chance to teach it myself, as I'm just not strong with this product). JavaScript is quite a decent way to learn programming, especially with FireBug installed, as the web provides an obvious target for both gaining an audience and sharing worthwhile content, i.e. any local charity or union hall, grange or whatever, could probably use a new web page, plus there're always those garage bands -- ah, but who will do that poster art? *that* takes real skill :). Saying "HTML/JavaScript" makes a lot sense, as you'll be wanting to embed your scripting in the XML format, plus you're in command of the DOM, the XML you're embedded in. It's really a hybrid, a markup with smarts. The TI graphing calculator... I'd not include that in a list of computer topics. BASIC used to be it. Salon suggests Python is *not* the successor to BASIC, and I'd have to agree.** This idea of "the one" that "everyone needs to learn" is for the birds, and I hope Python never becomes that. Any language forced on students as a "must learn" quickly grows to be hated. Fortunately, Python was written for experience programmers and may *not* be best as a first language. Heck, learn BASIC why not? Or JavaScript. Get to Python later, it's not going anywhere. Or Logo. Scheme maybe... Actually, my real position is it's good to start *sampling* Python quite early, but then I don't go along with forcing a commitment, to any language, on anyone below the age of legal consent. Sounds like a joke, but I'm basically just saying I'm against bullying, go out of my way to protect kid freedoms (animals too -- under represented IMO, more in my blogs). Kirby Urner Portland, OR PS: I understand that with Silverlight there might be more client-side Python going on? I'm likely falling behind in this area, having been buried in other job worlds of late. Queued: http://blogs.msdn.com/cbowen/archive/2007/08/28/ironpython-and-silverlight-resources.aspx ** """ The "scripting" languages that serve as entry-level tools for today's aspiring programmers -- like Perl and Python -- don't make this experience accessible to students in the same way. BASIC was close enough to the algorithm that you could actually follow the reasoning of the machine as it made choices and followed logical pathways. Repeating this point for emphasis: You could even do it all yourself, following along on paper, for a few iterations, verifying that the dot on the screen was moving by the sheer power of mathematics, alone. Wow! (Indeed, I would love to sit with my son and write "Pong" from scratch. The rule set -- the math -- is so simple. And he would never see the world the same, no matter how many higher-level languages he then moves on to.) """ Why Johnny can't code BASIC used to be on every computer a child touched -- but today there's no easy way for kids to get hooked on programming. By David Brin http://www.salon.com/tech/feature/2006/09/14/basic/index.html _______________________________________________ Edu-sig mailing list [email protected] http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig
