Re: My First Computer (was Computing Editorial)

[Lee Hart <leeahart@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!

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?

> 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.

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!

> 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!

> 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!

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.
-- 
Lee A. Hart                Ring the bells that still can ring
814 8th Ave. N.            Forget your perfect offering
Sartell, MN 56377 USA      There is a crack in everything
leeahart_at_earthlink.net  That's how the light gets in - Leonard Cohen