Introducing Kids to Programming: 2 or 3?

[Wayne Brehaut]

On Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:45:44 -0400, Andreas Waldenburger
<usenot at geekmail.INVALID> wrote:

>On Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:48:06 +0200 Marco Gallotta
><marco at gallotta.co.za> wrote:
>
>> Since these are kids, we feel the nice changes in 3 such as removing
>> integer division will help in teaching. It will also remove confusion
>> when they go to download Python and grab the latest version. Since
>> they're just starting, chances are almost none will be hit by the
>> limited library support for at least a year or two.
>
>That's your answer right there.
>
>
>> They will, however, be hit by the confusion of seeing Python 2 code
>> all over the web.
>
>Good point. Here is may suggestion: Make the kids aware of the 2/3
>issue as early as possible, but don't go into detail. 

=== 8< ===

> Later on (once they know more programming constructs to
>appreciate the differences), include another lecture, specifically on
>the difference between Python 2 and Python 3.
>
>Disclaimer: I'm not an educator. Maybe this is horrible advice. Someone
>with a better understanding of kids' and learner's minds please debunk
>any nonsense I may have spouted here. 

The only obvious bit was assuming one should "lecture" to kids.
Everything else sounds good.

wwwayne


>/W