[CoLoCo] programming for kids

[siblog]

I came across this article on Linux.com about Open Source programming
languages geared towards children and it reminded me of this discussion -
http://www.linux.com/feature/155203

-Simon

On Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 6:58 AM, Scott Scriven
<ubuntu-us-co at toykeeper.net>wrote:

> * Andrew <keen101 at gmail.com> wrote:
> > I found this neat greenfoot program today.
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcwx-I6Arwk&feature=channel
> >
> > It looks kind of neat. I don't really know how to program, but
> > it seems like it would be a very useful skill.
>
> Yup, definitely useful, and it can be fun.  :)
>
> Greenfoot looks pretty decent.  It's like LOGO, with a bigger
> library, better interaction, and a better GUI.  The only drawback
> I see is that it uses Java, but it looks like it manages to avoid
> most of Java's biggest problems.  So, go for it.
>
> Java is popular (and therefore good to know), but it's kind of
> inconvenient to use and almost always sub-optimal.  I'd recommend
> using some other language if you get bored with Greenfoot.  (it's
> a *lot* easier to learn a second programming language than it is
> to learn a second human language)
>
> If you find you enjoy programming, it's a good idea to learn
> several languages.  Each one will reveal new ways of thinking.
> Some good ones to look at (for various reasons) are:
>
>  - Python
>  - Shell
>  - C
>  - Assembly
>  - Lisp / Scheme
>  - Java
>
> If you enjoy those and want something a little more unusual, try
> something like Haskell or Prolog.  Of course, if you find you
> don't enjoy programming, then don't do it.  :)
>
> > any suggestions for something to help getting into programming.
>
> I'd look into pygame (Python and SDL), or perhaps a layer on top
> of it like GASP.  Also of potential interest is Nodebox.  I
> suggest these because Python is probably the easiest current
> language to learn, and has what I think is the cleanest
> conceptual model.  It can help you learn how to think about
> programming, without having to "unlearn" a lot of bad habits
> later when you use a different language.
>
> > interesting motivations like trying to create an anthill
> > simulation, or to create an asteroids game. I seem to need a
> > good directional motivator for me to continuue with things.
>
> Definitely!
>
> What got me really interested was sound and graphics.  I started
> out making bleeping sounds and some pretty horrible screen
> savers, then made some games and a paint program and a bunch of
> other stuff.  I'm still doing sound programs... working on a midi
> processor right now, so I can make cool sounds by dragging my
> finger around on a touchpad.  :)
>
> Something else which really, really helps is if you can find
> other people with similar interests to share with and bounce
> ideas off of.  Programming is a very social activity, and one of
> the best ways to learn is to argue your way through a problem
> with someone who thinks about it differently.
>
> For amusing examples of what *not* to do, read thedailywtf.com.
>
> > are there any good project ideas to use with those.  If i don't
> > have a good project goal, i'm less likeley to stick with it.
>
> It really depends on what you're interested in.  Here are some
> ideas; maybe at least one will spark something.
>
>  - All sorts of games...
>  - Pretty animations or screen savers
>  - Puzzle solvers (ever wanted to know how many words you missed
>    in a game of Boggle?)
>  - Text toys, like Madlibs
>  - An ambient sound generator, to simulate different types of
>    environments... jungle, busy street, ocean, etc...
>  - Physics simulations can be surprisingly easy to write and fun
>    to play with...
>  - Perhaps a book reader which presents text in an interesting
>    new way
>  - Text adventures
>  - Realtime sound wave graphs for music
>  - Calculators are easy and useful, such as for roleplaying
>    games (if you're into any of those)
>  - GUIs can be fairly easy to make with Glade...  I learned some
>    GUI programming by making an anagram generator.
>
> Also, this article makes some good points:
>
>  http://norvig.com/21-days.html
>
> :)
>
>
> -- Scott
>
> --
> Ubuntu-us-co mailing list
> Ubuntu-us-co at lists.ubuntu.com
> Modify settings or unsubscribe at:
> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-co
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://lists.ubuntu.com/archives/ubuntu-us-co/attachments/20081219/3b6e642d/attachment.htm