[Edu-sig] Beyond CP4E

[Arthur]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dethe Elza [mailto:delza at livingcode.org]
> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 1:41 PM
> To: Arthur
> Cc: edu-sig at python.org
> Subject: Re: [Edu-sig] Beyond CP4E
 
Dethe asks -

> What are the best things we can imagine?


As to computers and kids, generally ..

An approach not unlike "zero-based budgeting".

Let's start from the assumption that computers have nothing to do with the
education of kids, tend to misdirect the energy and attention of kids, as
well as the energies and resources of the educational system.

If nothing else, it's cheaper to assume this, as a starting point. And
resources are in fact scarce.

And when presented, and only when presented, with specific, substantial and
verifiable evidence to the effect there are fundamental learning goals that
can be achieved by the interaction of children and data-processing machines
that cannot be achieved by the interaction of children and human teachers,
we begin to way costs, and consider options.

Before that - and I think, for sure, we are before that - we talk and think
about other things.

As to Python and education:

We declare Python mature. It is mature because it has been around a while
and it is mature because it has been around a while because of its appeal to
mature minds.

We make no claims for it otherwise. We can find 14 year olds proficient in
Pytbon and we can find 14 year olds proficient in C.  We know we don't know
what to make of that.

And those of us who find ourselves productive in Python go out and be
productive in Python in the way that Python helps make us be productive. And
we share what we do.  And we hope someone learns from what we may have done
and shared.  And if they are 14 years old, the better.

Art