Catherine Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 My son did An Hour of Code last year and enjoyed it, though it seemed to be directed overall at younger students. I'd like him to learn some programming now, but I know less than nothing about this. I am aware of: raspberry pi Code School-Rails for Zombies Code Academy Can anyone give me some guidance on beginning programming for a student whose teacher does not know the subject? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in SA Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 There are a lot of options for coding at that age, and it really depends on your son's interest level and logical abilities. Most programs oriented for the age group focus on scripting inside gaming engines, but if he is serious, he could pick up Java or even C++. DS12 (at the time, 11) used "Games and Graphics in C++" by Gaddis, and liked it. He also got a long ways through "Beginning C++ Through Game Programming" by Dawson. At that age, I had learned Basic, Pascal, machine code, and a smattering of Fortran, so I wouldn't assume that he can't handle serious meat because of his age. Instead, you could look at a great opportunity to further his logical thinking, which will only help his math skills down the line. See if you can find a technical book store in your area, and let him browse a few interesting choices. I'd bet he already has a clue or two, and you could pursue those. If he really has no idea, and is just toying with the idea, then the scripting options would be a wise first choice (Scratch, et al). I would go as far as introductory Javascript at most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted June 24, 2014 Author Share Posted June 24, 2014 Thank you for the suggestions. Can you tell me what scripting is? And how it relates to programming\coding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in SA Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Scripting is very basic coding. A script is usually executed by a parent program, which does all the heavy lifting. Game mods generally rely on scripted effects. JavaScript is great for mine craft fans, for example... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 This is where I direct everyone who asks: http://www.forthuntparent.com/academy/HTMLFrontPage.cfm?CFID=2779769&CFTOKEN=14cacbdd56258c23-0FC20000-0FBE-F5A9-54FAF73E381A509B My son started with the (free) HTML course, and has since worked through CSS and is working on Java. All the courses are excellent, as is the instructor. Don't worry if you don't know anything about programming. I intentionally chose NOT to learn alongside my son ( in part, to help foster independence and ownership), and that was probably the best decision I made all year. There is a "help desk" where student can submit their problems, and if that doesn't help, the instructor is always available for assistance. I honestly cannot say enough good things about it! :) I totally understand if your son wants to skip past scratch and the like. My son did too-- he wanted to learn the coding behind the scenes, and wasn't interested in the preliminary steps. At this age, I don't think it matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catherine Posted June 24, 2014 Author Share Posted June 24, 2014 This is where I direct everyone who asks: http://www.forthuntparent.com/academy/HTMLFrontPage.cfm?CFID=2779769&CFTOKEN=14cacbdd56258c23-0FC20000-0FBE-F5A9-54FAF73E381A509B My son started with the (free) HTML course, and has since worked through CSS and is working on Java. All the courses are excellent, as is the instructor. Don't worry if you don't know anything about programming. I intentionally chose NOT to learn alongside my son ( in part, to help foster independence and ownership), and that was probably the best decision I made all year. There is a "help desk" where student can submit their problems, and if that doesn't help, the instructor is always available for assistance. I honestly cannot say enough good things about it! :) I totally understand if your son wants to skip past scratch and the like. My son did too-- he wanted to learn the coding behind the scenes, and wasn't interested in the preliminary steps. At this age, I don't think it matters. Excellent! Thank you! I wonder how often the class he is offering repeats. We may not do the most current one. Do you have any idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songsparrow Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 I've been looking into the same thing, and have compiled a list of what I've found or has been recommended to me so far here: http://homeschooldailyadventure.blogspot.com/2014/06/video-game-design-for-kids.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Excellent! Thank you! I wonder how often the class he is offering repeats. We may not do the most current one. Do you have any idea? I think he starts the HTML class every couple months or so, very regularly at least. It's a go-at-your-own-pace program, no live classes to "attend". I hope your son gets the chance to try it! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 I've been looking into the same thing, and have compiled a list of what I've found or has been recommended to me so far here: http://homeschooldailyadventure.blogspot.com/2014/06/video-game-design-for-kids.html That looks like a good list! Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbabe Posted June 24, 2014 Share Posted June 24, 2014 Following Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike in SA Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 If you go for a more serious language, check out Dark/GDK for C++. It's really easy for kids to make scroller games with that, while learning a serious language. The Java (not the same as JavaScript) options are also very worthwhile if you have someone who wants to learn the guts of coding. That list, though, has excellent options for initial forays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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