[Edu-sig] python vs processing for introducing programming?

[Jurgis Pralgauskis]

Hi,

have you noticed a recent post about
http://interactivepython.org/courselib/static/thinkcspy/PythonTurtle/helloturtle.html#iteration-simplifies-our-turtle-program
based on http://www.skulpt.org/

and Coursera starts a course on 15th of September with the same tool
https://www.coursera.org/#course/interactivepython

On Wed, Sep 26, 2012 at 2:06 AM, Andy Judkis <ajudkis at verizon.net> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I've been using Python for about 7 or 8 years now to introduce my 10th
> graders to programming, and I've been quite happy with it.  We start out
> with a week of Scratch and a week of RUR-PLE (which I love) before moving on
> to about 3 weeks of Python.  Obviously they don't become experts in that
> time frame, my goal is to just give them a taste of programming.
>
> I've tried various Python environments and graphics libraries over the years
> -- IDLE with livewires, IDLE with the cs1graphics package, JES, vpython --
> and they all have their virtues and pitfalls, at least for my application.
> I've recently become aware of Processing and am really intrigued.  Here are
> some advantages I see:
>
> some fun lessons on khanacademy to get started (a processing library for
> javascript, actually)
> very easy installation, nice simple IDE
> graphical from day 1, very easy interaction with mouse
> there's a great book on using processing with Kinect (Making Things See,
> from O'Reilly) and I think I can demo and talk about some cool stuff from
> that
>
>
> The obvious downsides to me are:
>
> no RUR-PLE
> overall, Processing just isn't as real-world useful as Python
>
>
> I'd be interested in hearing from anyone with experience in teaching
> Processing to this age group, and anyone with any thoughts on the topic.
>
> Thanks,
> Andy Judkis
> Academy of Allied Health and Science
> Neptune, NJ
>
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-- 
Jurgis Pralgauskis
tel: 8-616 77613;
Don't worry, be happy and make things better ;)
http://galvosukykla.lt