| TuskenTower on 21 Mar 2007 14:07:38 -0000 |
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On 3/20/07, Matthew Rosewarne <mukidohime@case.edu> wrote: lets the students make programs they can run at home (all the programming there is done on Apples). I should think the goals of a teaching language
I abhor the use of IDEs when teaching. IDEs contrary to what some misguided people say, disempower students and obfuscate even the simplest concepts. An IDE is not a set of training wheels, its an auto-pilot for many development tasks. Why else would advanced software writers use them? Students need to learn the mundane tasks for themselves. I enjoy using Xcode and tolerate it when it gets in my way. Don't turn your students into people who can't program without the IDE that they learned on (aka a winDOwS programmer). Your tools should be: -Terminal.app (your command line) -Textedit.app (or if you want to spend some money, BBEdit) -Compiler (GCC) / Interpreter on the command line What ever programming language you choose, you should include a class on administering (not using) a computer. The ability to manipulate your programming environment is a skill that every student needs. My personal take on teaching programming, is to teach in two phases with different programming languages. Choose and interpreted language to start, but switch to a compiled language for advanced topics (like OO). Show the students how the interpreted language can also use those advanced topics. The goal is to reinforce the same concepts with two languages. HTH Amul PS: I say teach them C/C++ and Bash. Throw them to the wolves! :) PPS: If Java is the CS AP language, then you will need to teach them that PoS language/library mashup. ___________________________________________________________________________ Philadelphia Linux Users Group -- http://www.phillylinux.org Announcements - http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug-announce General Discussion -- http://lists.phillylinux.org/mailman/listinfo/plug
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