Re: [school-discuss] ISO: Good programming language to teach an

[Gerald Logan <glogan@mac.com>]

I would suggest keeping with your roots and use Chipmunk BASIC.  I have
not used the linux version, but use the Macintosh version with 14 year
old students.  There are many programs that have been converted to work
with it.  It is a lot like the original BASIC versions we all learned a
long time ago.  It can be used to do some items that the students fine
interesting, aka games.

On Mar 19, 2004, at 11:38 AM, Bill Kendrick wrote:

>
> Back when I was 8 years old (about 20 years ago now!), I programmed in
> BASIC on my Timex Sinclair 1000 and Atari 1200XL computers.
>
> Today, I've been asked to tutor a very smart (but currently far
> too Windows-saavy for his and his parents' own good) 8 year old kid.
>
> He's got a Pentium (which doesn't work, and it sounds like Windows is
> broken), and I'm thinking of installing Linux for him.  (He's used it
> before,
> and likes what he's seen.)  I think he's ready to start picking up
> programming, as it will provide him with a creative outlet for all that
> computer geek energy he has.
>
>
> What's a good, kid-friendly language for today's kids to use (on Linux,
> of course!)?
>
> I've though about picking up some Python and passing my knowledge on 
> to him,
> but of course I'd rather ask the educators and other experts on various
> mailing lists for suggestions, since many of you have already dealt 
> with
> this problem before.
>
> :^)
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> -bill!
> bill@newbreedsoftware.com          Check out the new, improved Tux 
> Paint
> site!
> http://newbreedsoftware.com/bill/
> http://newbreedsoftware.com/tuxpaint/
>