On 2013-06-19 12:29 AM, William "Chops" Westfield wrote:
> On Jun 18, 2013, at 8:09 PM, Bruce Fleming wrote:
>=20
>> Another alternative for learning Python is CodeAcademy.com. Their beginn=
er's
>> Python tutorials are easy enough at many ages, in my opinion. Try it and=
 see.
>=20
> My own son has been doing the codecademy.com python class, so I was oblig=
ed to follow along and try it as well.  I wasn't very impressed.  While it =
probably does an OK job of teaching python syntax/etc to an experienced pro=
grammer, it does very little to introduce the general concepts of computer =
programming, which are (IMO) somewhat necessary for a beginner.  (also, it =
doesn't seem to have a mechanism for submitting "assignments" that are anyt=
hing other than actual code, so I don't see how one could develop a "segmen=
t" that taught something like "what is a variable" for which an appropriate=
 quiz would have multiple-choice answers.)
> Also, I perceive that much of "using" a modern object-oriented language l=
ike python consists
>=20
> Why is there so much "barely adequate" "instructional" software, rather t=
han some clear standard?  I swear people are chasing video, proportional fo=
nts, rainbow backgrounds, and cute screen transitions, while the macro-10 l=
essons I took on an ASR33 in the 1970s were just as effective.  Sigh.
>=20
> (hey.  Plato lives: http://www.cyber1.org/ ! (?))
>=20
> BillW

I'm genuinely sorry to say that your generation, along with its
principles, concepts, and values is dying out. My generation only cares
about javascript animations, pokemon, and like Russell pointed out,
using words like "awesome" all over the place. They don't know any real
programming or design whatsoever. I fear for the future.

Best you can do is teach your son yourself first, and then expose him to
the garbage on the Internet.

I learned computers and stuff by taking apart a 286 and messing with
4000 series CMOS logic before I even knew what a programming language
was. In my opinion, that's the only way to truly understand programming
- by understanding how the computer works first, from the transistor up.

--=20
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