[Edu-sig] Fwd: [Fwd: Why we need "Fat Python"]

[Michael McLay]

Jeff's message to this list bounced for some reason. He asked that I forward 
it to the list. I agree with Jeff that we need to get Python made a 
requirement for the NOCTI exam. I'd also like to see the requirement for 
Visual Basic dropped. That is a proprietary technology that may not be 
available to someone who does not have access to a Windows computer. Anything 
that can be done in Visual Basic also can be done with Python (with the Glade 
tool if you need to demonstrate the development of a GUI application.)  

----------  Forwarded Message  ----------

Subject: [Fwd: Why we need "Fat Python"]
Date: Wednesday 26 May 2004 6:40 am
From: Jeffrey Elkner <jeff at elkner.net>
To: Michael McLay <mclay at python.net>

Hi Michael,

The message below was bounced back to me from the mailing list because
it said I'm not a member (I've been active on the list for years, so I
don't know why that happened?)  Any chance you could send it to the list
for me?

I really want to get discussion going around this topic.  There have
been several opportunities recently to advance Python in education, but
distribution difficulties of the software are a big impediment.

There are also threats.  I just received from my supervisor a sample
competency list for a new National Occupational Competency Testing
Institute (NOCTI) exam in Computer Programming.  Under the heading "Code
Programs" was the following options:

Write a BASIC program
Write a COBOL program
Write a C program
Write a Visual Basic program

Python is not on the list.  Neither is Java, and that will never stand,
so there might be an opportunity here to do some more education around
the merits of Python.

Thanks!

--
Jeffrey Elkner <jeff at elkner.net>
Open Book Project <http://ibiblio.org/obp>

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