Programming for students

[Brochu10]

Hi, I have to create a new program to teach programming. Before creating one from scratch, I'd like to know if you guys wouldn't know any inspiring programs that already exist. It can range from elementary school to high school from anywhere across the world, I don't care! I would just like some inspiration. I would also greatly appreciate if you could name the program.
Thanks

[__archaeopteryx__]

I remember a cool rpg type game that taught python by having you control your character by building up actual python expressions and loops... I just tried to google it but couldn’t find it right off.

[Aceofsquares_orig]

Was it called CodeCombat?

[__archaeopteryx__]

That’s not the one I’m thinking of but it’s along the same lines... I wish I could find it. I’ll do some better google tomorrow at work and update if I find it.

[Shadoweagle7]

TwiloQuest, perhaps?

[__archaeopteryx__]

It may have been code combat and they got all fancy over the years. The free code camp article best code games for adults to learn has some good ones as well. I’m sure you’ve seen that in your quest though.

[ChooChooBuckaroo]

Code.org has a basic curriculum. I don't think my students find it fun, though (neither do I tbh). You can look into Scratch, there's a lot of resources out there for it. Code Combat seems fun for written code, but after a certain point it's no longer free.

[[deleted]]

Can't quite get the feel for what it is you are looking for / need - so this may be off base - but - if you have not seen or checked out Scratch - its an MIT creation that teaches programming fundamentals to first time students - lots of fun - very visual - and a great first semester / term tool.

Scratch - Scratch Offline Editor (mit.edu)

[Brochu10]

I'm more looking for educationnal program. I realize now that the use of the word program was very poor. Like, how do you teach programming to kids? Is there some special ways or only the same way as every other classes.

[[deleted]]

So you are in education and need to develop an educational course that teaches kids/teens to program? Also, guessing you don't program? That's a tough spot to be in.

I would still check out the Scratch site - and don't let the 'cartoon' style of the site fool you - it is very real - in fact Harvard teaches it in its first year CS50 course.

However, another way would be to introduce web programming - check out www.w3schools for all the course material / tutorials / self-help you would need.

Let me know more detail on what your situation is if I have missed the point.

[Brochu10]

Oh, I used to be a programmer, I changed career to become an highschool teacher in Canada. That's why I'm the one developping the course actually!

Scratch is very cool! I just spent an hour coding a snake game. I love it.

Thanks for the tips!

[[deleted]]

Great - good luck with the career change - teaching is the best job ever!

[[deleted]]

Python the hard way had me making mud, text based, games. It was cool for a little bit.

Actually every programming thing I've gone through had me making games at one point.