Slashdot Mirror
Teaching Primary School Students Programming?
NotesSensei asks: "Recently I was teasing the teacher who runs the computer club in my sons' primary school: 'You teach the kids only how to use software but not how to make software.' Today I got an email: 'OK, you're in: teach them programming.' Now I wonder what language should I pick? My first lesson will be the board game c-jump, but after that? The contestants are: Kids programming language KPL (ab VB.net derivate; Java using BlueJ; Greenfoot (and the BlueJ); and HTML. Does it sound like I'm on the right track or should I try something completely different? We are looking at primary 3-5 (that's 10-13 in this part of the world). Where can I find inspiration for the curriculum?"
Unless they're vaccinated, don't give them MUMPS; if you do find a nice Doctor (Like Dr. Pascal), 'cuz Pascal was fun for me in College.
If they like noises, Squeak is good, but the cogently verbiaged might prefer SmallTalk in a group. For those speech impaired, knowing there's other people who Lisp would be good.
The mean ones will abuse Snobol in Winter
The A.D.D. kids will probably like the feeling of Euphoria they get from their first
Of course, you could teach them a very nice language with a horrible name, Brainfuck.
Or, you could just look Here for a comparison of popular programming languages.
Unitarian Church: Freethinkers Congregate!
From: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=abstract+ thought&x=0&y=0
abstract thought
n : thinking that is coherent and logical [syn: reasoning, logical thinking]
That'll weed out those who have no commitment. It'll also make the handful of math-oriented people in the class more aware of the connections between mathematics and computer science. It's not like people these days are encouraged to get rid of the bad habits they picked up with J. Random Wanker Language or anything. Also, interactive programming with hugs. Who doesn't like hugs?
Hell, maybe it'll teach kids better habits (like focusing on the algorithm and on getting a working program first) than some heavy mittens language like Python or Javur. The error messages could probably be a little much for 10-year olds though. Maybe Helium, a Haskell variant geared for education and without some of the more esoteric features, would suit that better?
(Lisp(Languages(Have(a(better(syntax??I(Totally(AG REE(With(You(About(That()))))))))))))