I think many of you are missing the point... the object is to get intro students to learn programming. ANY language will teach them the basics of logic and structure IF they are taught - but what will ignite the imagination and give immediate results?
Why not a web dev environment like PHP or RoR?
In addition to being decent languages, the students can get really fast results and an immediate "product". As they get more excited, they will WANT to learn more details and figure out how to create a better app. PLUS - web dev is a relatively easy way to make some extra cash, and practical abilities that can lead to money are another motivator.
I know - learning C or Pascal, etc. is more foundational and powerful in the big picture. But for beginners, I think its more important to get them excited to learn. Once they have a bit of confidence and curiosity, its much easier to migrate to just about any other language they want/need. Humans learn best by actually "doing stuff" and not by theory alone. Theory and the intricacies of coding become more relevant once we have a rough foundation to build on.
Get them "hooked" with immediate gratification and easy apps (that they can easily share with friends!), and then lead them into deeper waters once they are comfortable.
I live in central Texas, and my in-laws have a place out in the hill country. We have gotten tons of acorns this year... more than normal.
The d@$# things have been falling on the metal roof all fall, and it sounds like firecrackers going off all night. Theres so many acorns that some parts of the ground are covered an inch thick!
No worries on a global acorn shortage... they still exist.
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I think many of you are missing the point... the object is to get intro students to learn programming. ANY language will teach them the basics of logic and structure IF they are taught - but what will ignite the imagination and give immediate results?
Why not a web dev environment like PHP or RoR?
In addition to being decent languages, the students can get really fast results and an immediate "product". As they get more excited, they will WANT to learn more details and figure out how to create a better app. PLUS - web dev is a relatively easy way to make some extra cash, and practical abilities that can lead to money are another motivator.
I know - learning C or Pascal, etc. is more foundational and powerful in the big picture. But for beginners, I think its more important to get them excited to learn. Once they have a bit of confidence and curiosity, its much easier to migrate to just about any other language they want/need. Humans learn best by actually "doing stuff" and not by theory alone. Theory and the intricacies of coding become more relevant once we have a rough foundation to build on.
Get them "hooked" with immediate gratification and easy apps (that they can easily share with friends!), and then lead them into deeper waters once they are comfortable.
I live in central Texas, and my in-laws have a place out in the hill country. We have gotten tons of acorns this year... more than normal. The d@$# things have been falling on the metal roof all fall, and it sounds like firecrackers going off all night. Theres so many acorns that some parts of the ground are covered an inch thick! No worries on a global acorn shortage... they still exist.