Re: My First Computer (was Computing Editorial)

[steve@dosius.zzn.com (Dosius)]

Lee Hart <leeahart@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:<3E42BC49.70F1@earthlink.net>...
> >> OK; more precisely, 99% of today's computers sold come with no
> >> programming language.
> 
> Glen wrote:
> > Micro$oft does not put any languages in the box. But that does not
> > mean there are [no] languages for Windows. You can download c, c++,
> > java, python and perl-- just to name five. All under open source
> > licenses.
> 
> Microsoft SELLS their languages; they are far from free. And, they are
> all explicitly designed for professionals, not beginners!

Except perhaps Vi$ual Ba$i�.

> 
> Yes, you can download free languages. Which ones are suitable for
> beginners? How would a beginner know which one to pick, and where to
> find them?

Of course.

> 
> > Programming is slow and tedious in any language. Kids are likely to
> > get frustrated.  You can't just sit them in front of computer and
> > command them to learn programming anymore than you could give them
> > some pipes and tell them to learn about plumbing.
> 
> But, just like human languages, some computer languages are easier to
> learn than others. BASIC is far easier than C++. If you start people off
> with a "hard" language, you will frustrate and scare off most of them.

AOL.

> 
> Likewise, if you just plop them in front of a computer and expect them
> to learn it without help, they are doomed to fail. You don't teach
> natural languages this way, either! It requires coaching, practice, and
> lots of examples and helpful corrections from a patient teacher.
> 
> But, when you have the right computer, and right language, and right
> books, examples, and software; kids *can* just sit down in front of the
> computer and learn it!

As I did at 3!

> 
> > If you want a kid to be a programmer you should probably wait until
> > he/she is about 14-15 to push it on them. Before then you should
> > get the child read and write well. Because (believe it or not)
> > programming is just another form of writing.
> 
> That is too late! If we waited to teach reading, writing, or languages
> until 14-15 years old, most people would never learn it. Kids are
> fantastic learners at younger ages; that is when you have to teach them
> these skills!

AOL!  People should learn foreign languages - and how to read, write
and program computers - from 3, IMHO.

> 
> > When I was in 4th grade I was choosen as one of the kids in the
> > Logo program. The school literally just sat my in front of an
> > Apple II running logo. They provided no books or instruction.
> > Nice "education" huh?
> 
> They blew it. What a waste of time!

AOL that.  The didn't just blow it, they fscked it up. :E

> 
> Far too often, computers in the schools are just used as babysitters and
> entertainment devices. Keep the kid busy so the teacher doesn't have to
> do anything.

Again, AOL that.  Things have to be taught, not osmotized.

-uso.