Article:		Elementary Computer Graphics: Drawing with Pixels
Subject:		Programming for Kids
Date:		2003-12-17 06:01:27
From:		anonymous2
How to put your kid off programming for life. What a truly awful place to start. Why not try something like RealBasic or even Python. Tcl ? No Way !

Showing messages 1 through 7 of 7.

• Programming for Kids
  2003-12-17 12:40:27  anonymous2 [View]
  
  
  hi,
  
  Basically, RealBasic was my first choice. But it's pricey. Eventually, we will migrate to that once I finance the endeavor.
  
  Meanwhile, Tcl provides enough tools to get kids started in the basic concepts of computer graphics.
  
  Besides, I can blit with Tcl <okay and Python for you Python purists out there>.
  
  Michael Norton
  

• Programming for Kids
  2003-12-17 11:28:35  anonymous2 [View]
  
  
  In case you don't remember your first programming experience, the syntax is irrelevant. (Unless it makes things overly complicated, which Tcl doesn't for this tutorial.) Tcl may be ugly to you, but it's pretty straight forward. This article is getting kids making a graphics app in 4 pages of easy-to-read text. Kudos to the author.
  
  If your 9-year-old knows that Tcl is less elegant than Python, give them GCC and start training them to kernel hack.

• Programming for Kids
  2003-12-17 08:25:52  anonymous2 [View]
  
  
  Whatever! Who cares what language is used. I learned Apple Basic when I was in 5th Grade it was a blast. I've been facinated with anything computer related since and I beleive it planted the seed that lead to my career in computer technology. I will always have fond memories of my Apple Basic class. It's creating that interest that is important. Loved the article!

• Programming for Kids
  2003-12-17 07:42:52  anonymous2 [View]
  
  
  Well then, the door is open for you to provide a tutorial in either Python or RealBasic. I cannot wait to see what I will learn from what you will offer.

• Programming for Kids
  2003-12-17 07:28:14  anonymous2 [View]
  
  
  O.K. Tcl might put them off but...
  As mentioned in the article, RealBasic was out of the budget.
  
  As for Python... it's a little dry. The ability to make something like a draw program will excite the kids more (nice direct feedback.) Then over time one can introduce more complex concepts and languages.
  
  (Of course I'm the father who had his one year old daughter sitting on my knee while setting up an OpenBSD firewall, so she's doomed already...)
• Programming for Kids
  2003-12-18 10:56:33  bazzargh [View]
  
  
  I thought about suggesting Logo since it was created for this purpose, but reading the docs for StarLogo I wonder how they ever thought this was suitable for kids?
  
  Something that is pretty good is Squeak. Hey, it was written at Disney, it must be for children. But seriously, its direct-manipulation graphics toolkit makes it fairly easy to build interesting apps, and the 3d authoring tool is brilliant, here's a shot of the demo:
  
  http://www.squeak.org/images/3D_large.gif
  
  ...the best bit is when the rabbit turns to look at you. Freaky.
  
  A lot of squeak use is squarely aimed at schoolchildren, so there's plenty of material:
  http://www.squeakland.org/
  
• Programming for Kids
  2003-12-19 18:45:58  anonymous2 [View]
  
  
  The language doesn't matter (you can pick up a language in a weekend). Its logic that matters, and drawing graphics on the screen is a great way to get instant feedback on logic errors.
  
  Why not Logo? In particular, ACSLogo? Its one of the MacDevCenter's Innovators Contest Winners (2nd place). <http://www.alancsmith.co.uk/>
  
  Its got a nice simple interface and its free.