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This looks like something my kids would love. I've been trying to teach them Python over the last few weeks, with marginal success, sometimes to do with my time

This looks like something my kids would love. I've been trying to teach them Python over the last few weeks, with marginal success, sometimes to do with my time restrictions, but also their lack of motivation at the length of time it takes for them to see results. This looks like it could remedy that.

Methusalah 12y ago
Why python? There are far more straightforward languages to learn with more beginner-friendly development environments. Seems like an unnecessarily frustrating place to begin.
- parennoob 12y ago
  What are some examples? I'd like to teach some people I know the basic concepts of programming, and I was thinking of starting with Python. I'd like to hear of some languages that have more beginner-friendly environments.
  - Methusalah 12y ago
    I'd go with C#.
  - niels_olson 12y ago
    Turtle/logo, squeak/smalltalk. This minecraft mod is learntomod/JavaScript. There's pippy for Python.
  - innguest 12y ago
    Scratch: http://scratch.mit.edu/ http://scratch.mit.edu/
kgwgk 12y ago
You might like this book: http://www.stuffaboutcode.com/2014/11/adventures-in-minecraft.html http://www.stuffaboutcode.com/2014/11/adventures-in-minecraf...
- caoilte 12y ago
  Currently working through this with a couple of 7yr olds. It's pretty good.
IndianAstronaut 12y ago
>motivation at the length of time it takes for them to see results This is why I think javascript should be a first language. Kids can see the results on a web page right away.
slackpad 12y ago
I agree it's really tough to motivate kids to make games and program when they have massive instant libraries of high quality stuff online. My supply of good software was so limited growing up that it was easy to stay focused and build things. Now it's really hard to motivate kids with starter graphics programs and little interactive things. Hopefully the Minecraft tie-in will help overcome this. I'll give this a try with my 9 year old.

Methusalah 12y ago

Why python? There are far more straightforward languages to learn with more beginner-friendly development environments. Seems like an unnecessarily frustrating place to begin.

parennoob 12y ago
What are some examples? I'd like to teach some people I know the basic concepts of programming, and I was thinking of starting with Python. I'd like to hear of some languages that have more beginner-friendly environments.
- Methusalah 12y ago
  I'd go with C#.
- niels_olson 12y ago
  Turtle/logo, squeak/smalltalk. This minecraft mod is learntomod/JavaScript. There's pippy for Python.
- innguest 12y ago
  Scratch: http://scratch.mit.edu/ http://scratch.mit.edu/

kgwgk 12y ago

You might like this book: http://www.stuffaboutcode.com/2014/11/adventures-in-minecraft.html http://www.stuffaboutcode.com/2014/11/adventures-in-minecraf...

caoilte 12y ago
Currently working through this with a couple of 7yr olds. It's pretty good.

IndianAstronaut 12y ago

>motivation at the length of time it takes for them to see results This is why I think javascript should be a first language. Kids can see the results on a web page right away.

slackpad 12y ago

I agree it's really tough to motivate kids to make games and program when they have massive instant libraries of high quality stuff online. My supply of good software was so limited growing up that it was easy to stay focused and build things. Now it's really hard to motivate kids with starter graphics programs and little interactive things. Hopefully the Minecraft tie-in will help overcome this. I'll give this a try with my 9 year old.