Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!lll-winken!lll-tis!ames!pasteur!ucbvax!ucsfcgl!pixar!unicom!jonson
From: jonson@unicom.UUCP (Mary D Johnson)
Newsgroups: comp.edu
Subject: Re: What is CS? (Was re First languages)
Message-ID: <309@unicom.UUCP>
Date: 7 Apr 88 00:53:32 GMT
References: <3684@medusa.cs.purdue.edu> <568@abcom.ATT.COM> <607@imagine.PAWL.RPI.EDU> <4859@ecsvax.UUCP> <612@imagine.PAWL.RPI.EDU>
Reply-To: jonson@unicom.UUCP (Mary D Johnson)
Organization: Science Computer Center, MCC, Kentfield, CA
Lines: 20
Summary: Universal requirement for programming
Distribution:usa

Keywords:first languages


In article <612@imagine.PAWL.RPI.EDU> jefu@pawl18.pawl.rpi.edu (Jeffrey Putnam) writes:

>I was thinking of either a lisp family language (to minimize syntax
>woes) or something like ICON but with graphics extensions.  I would
>focus on graphics (given an appropriate system) or string processing -
>primarily non-mathematical stuff to ease math anxiety.  Graphics, 
>even given math anxiety, would be nice because you can _see_ what
>is going on and there are some interesting things to do that are
>quite accessible.  String processing is of fairly general interest
>as it doesnt involve math and there are some fun problems that
>are also accessible.
>
>jeff putnam  

I have found that using LOGO, with an emphasis on the turtle graphics
in one of the units (2 to 3 hours of class time) of the introduction to
computers has been a real help in showing what computers do--that they do things
in a literal fashion i.e. it does what you told it to, not what you wanted
it to do. The graphics give the students a real sense of mastery over
the machine--a very important point in overcoming anxiety.