[REBOL] Re: Teaching Rebol => was:{Re: Re: Parsing comment}
From: tim:johnsons-web at: 26-Sep-2002 7:49
Hello Jason:
* Jason Cunliffe <[jason--cunliffe--verizon--net]> [020926 03:59]:
> Hi Tim
>
> > Despite the comments about documentation I think that
> > rebol's help function is very accomodating for a new
> > programming student.
> > (and BTW I am also teaching python in a similar fashion)
> > just try typing "help split" at the python prompt and see what
> > you get.
>
> Yes that was precisely the initial point I made to Python Edu-Sig.
> They tried to show me sophisticated Python help is. And of course it is.
> My point was how direct and freindly rebol's help is, largely becuae it bundles
> a search function.
>
> I'd like to hear more about your Rebol teaching experiences...
> What age?
Eighth grade through senior.
> What kind of stuff you do?
Intro basics, but finishes with ftp email and cgi
> ..students reactions.
Completion is a problem...
> Do they use their programs together?
No. Not so far
> What probelms do they have?
Did I say that this is an online class? Anyway, that's
really the main obstacle, how to proctor a motivate
without physical presense.
> Is this their first prgarmmnig experience?
It is designed as a first programming class, but
some students have had html, a little C++
> What is easy?
Teaching the class .... no commuting :-)
> What is hard?
Motivating them.
> What sort of materials you'd like to see to help your efforts?
I've considered a couple of things:
1)A tutor program like TCL uses.
2)Some simple chat bot routines
But they are simple add-ons. The main issues really aren't
specific to rebol. They are a factor of what is (to us here)
a new medium.
> > But seriously, rebol is a very good first programming language.
> > The absense of systems calls in rebol/core is a good thing.
> > I don't have to have the student's parents sign one of those
> > "If you broke it with your program it ain't our fault" kind
> > of contract/disclaimers, as we are doing with python, perl and
> > C.
>
> Thanks. A good point.
And to tell the truth, certain sysops and ISPs
like that feature too....
> ^
> > SyntaxError: invalid syntax
> > !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> yep I know the feeling.
>
> thanks
> ./Jason
>
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--
Tim Johnson <[tim--johnsons-web--com]>
http://www.alaska-internet-solutions.com
http://www.johnsons-web.com
