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I think that sums a lot of 'progress' up to me; I've had several abortive attempts to 'get into programming' over the last 20 years or so, and all of them have

I think that sums a lot of 'progress' up to me; I've had several abortive attempts to 'get into programming' over the last 20 years or so, and all of them have floundered early on on various pre-requisites which just seemed too much to deal with. I'm now persevering with Python (which seems in some way to suffer less that others, but also because I'm sticking at it this time as I want to change career), but I can remember giving up when it seemed I had to write about 50 lines of code just to get a window up with an OK button. I'm sure the same is true many multiples over with kids, and the micro:bit seems a good solution to that.

IanCal 9y ago
If it helps, I've recently started adding more UIs to things and the main way I'm doing it is with web pages. Easy to make, lots of tutorials, requires another language unfortunately but still a useful skill. Not always applicable, but can be a good approach. Best of luck, I know there are some hard steps to take (particularly the stage of "ok I can write code but what can I actually do with it"), but things really build after a while. Oh, and I've been coding for maybe 17 years and 1. I keep writing code that's wrong 2. I get basic things wrong all the time 3. I still have to regularly look things up My wife is learning to code, and I think she felt these things meant she wasn't doing well at it, but it's really common. I'm just used to it and have more experience finding my mistakes because I've made them so much. > and the micro:bit seems a good solution to that. I think so. I think there's a huge step forwards when you can get something working quickly, then build from there.
- djaychela 9y ago
  Thanks for all that - one of the most honest and helpful comments I've seen on here, and particularly useful for me! Usually people don't let on about them, so I feel much better. I'm buying my youngest step-child a Micro:bit for Christmas. Well, I say it's for him...
  - matthewwarren 9y ago
    > I'm buying my youngest step-child a Micro:bit for Christmas. Well, I say it's for him... I think that I'll be doing something similar ;-)

IanCal 9y ago

If it helps, I've recently started adding more UIs to things and the main way I'm doing it is with web pages. Easy to make, lots of tutorials, requires another language unfortunately but still a useful skill. Not always applicable, but can be a good approach. Best of luck, I know there are some hard steps to take (particularly the stage of "ok I can write code but what can I actually do with it"), but things really build after a while. Oh, and I've been coding for maybe 17 years and 1. I keep writing code that's wrong 2. I get basic things wrong all the time 3. I still have to regularly look things up My wife is learning to code, and I think she felt these things meant she wasn't doing well at it, but it's really common. I'm just used to it and have more experience finding my mistakes because I've made them so much. > and the micro:bit seems a good solution to that. I think so. I think there's a huge step forwards when you can get something working quickly, then build from there.

djaychela 9y ago
Thanks for all that - one of the most honest and helpful comments I've seen on here, and particularly useful for me! Usually people don't let on about them, so I feel much better. I'm buying my youngest step-child a Micro:bit for Christmas. Well, I say it's for him...
- matthewwarren 9y ago
  > I'm buying my youngest step-child a Micro:bit for Christmas. Well, I say it's for him... I think that I'll be doing something similar ;-)