[Edu-sig] Python in Education Advocacy Article

[Michael Tobis]

Dear Python-in-Education types

For Python to gain the ground it ought to in educational settings will not
happen automatically.

To do my part, I have decided that my first article in the Python Papers
should be about comparing Python to other common first languages for
learning and teaching. I'd appreciate your help.

Does language even matter pedagogically? If so what are Python's advantages
and disadvantages? Should there be a universal first language of computing?
Should it look more or less or exactly like Python?

To further discussion on this question I have set up a blog. (I hate that
blogs are in reverse chronological order; I posted the articles in the
opposite order than the reading order so you can read from top to bottom!)

In an effort to focus the conversation, I've asked a few language comparison
questions that are relevant to Python's suitability as an educational
language, each in its own blog entry. Please have a look, and make a stab at
short answers to the questions. (If you have a long answer, please just link
to it.) My idea is not to restrict people's ideas but to make an effort to
provide some structure for the conversation.

It will be very interesting to see if this helps move the conversation
forward. The best outcome would be if we discover "low-hanging fruit" to
advance the cause. Please lend a hand.

see http://pencilscience.blogspot.com/

with pythonical regards,
Michael Tobis
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