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Ask HN: As a coding teacher in middle / high school, which tools are you using?

11 points by bachmitre 5y ago

And also: which tools (or abilities) are you lacking for a better teaching (and learning) experience ?

___luigi 5y ago
I'm not a teacher, but I heard good things about replit https://replit.com/teams-for-education https://replit.com/teams-for-education
- replwoacause 5y ago
  But I just saw on the front page that their CEO just strongarmed a little open source guy so...that's a conundrum.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
cjcassar 5y ago
I think codesandbox is quite good. I always find that one on ones are the best way to enhance the learning experience. https://codesandbox.io/ https://codesandbox.io/
ragnot 5y ago
Not a teacher, but its always good to start kids young on vim: https://vim-adventures.com/ https://vim-adventures.com/
ravanpao 5y ago
You should checkout Teaching Python Podcast run by two teachers teaching Python to middle school kids. https://www.teachingpython.fm/episodes https://www.teachingpython.fm/episodes
ryanmentor 5y ago
I have been a teacher, tutor, and head of school clubs, as well as director of education for makerspaces. The tools to focus on are THE FUNDAMENTALS. The fundamentals start with the framing - that means talking about Software Freedoms and our relationship with technology and society. Then once the foundations are in place, the Free Tech starts to matter. Linux, Firefox, Devtools + html/js, Scratch etc. Be sure you're clear on what your own goals are. Are you an entertainer, or an educator?
- bachmitre 5y ago
  Currently neither nor, but I used to teach unix systems administration in evening schools 20 years ago.. now I have children in middle / high school, and I wonder what tools are currently used in schools to teach programming
hulug 5y ago
As a "coding" teacher I would stop teaching how to "code" and start teaching how to think and solve problems.
schwartzworld 5y ago
I would focus on web technologies. Getting something on the screen with html and css is trivial, and JavaScript is very powerful. Best of all, every computer has a built in JavaScript runtime (web browser). This makes it easy to share what you build with friends and family.

11 points by bachmitre 5y ago

And also: which tools (or abilities) are you lacking for a better teaching (and learning) experience ?

I'm not a teacher, but I heard good things about replit https://replit.com/teams-for-education https://replit.com/teams-for-education

replwoacause 5y ago
But I just saw on the front page that their CEO just strongarmed a little open source guy so...that's a conundrum.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]

cjcassar 5y ago

I think codesandbox is quite good. I always find that one on ones are the best way to enhance the learning experience. https://codesandbox.io/ https://codesandbox.io/

ragnot 5y ago

Not a teacher, but its always good to start kids young on vim: https://vim-adventures.com/ https://vim-adventures.com/

ravanpao 5y ago

You should checkout Teaching Python Podcast run by two teachers teaching Python to middle school kids. https://www.teachingpython.fm/episodes https://www.teachingpython.fm/episodes

ryanmentor 5y ago

I have been a teacher, tutor, and head of school clubs, as well as director of education for makerspaces. The tools to focus on are THE FUNDAMENTALS. The fundamentals start with the framing - that means talking about Software Freedoms and our relationship with technology and society. Then once the foundations are in place, the Free Tech starts to matter. Linux, Firefox, Devtools + html/js, Scratch etc. Be sure you're clear on what your own goals are. Are you an entertainer, or an educator?

bachmitre 5y ago
Currently neither nor, but I used to teach unix systems administration in evening schools 20 years ago.. now I have children in middle / high school, and I wonder what tools are currently used in schools to teach programming

hulug 5y ago

As a "coding" teacher I would stop teaching how to "code" and start teaching how to think and solve problems.

schwartzworld 5y ago

I would focus on web technologies. Getting something on the screen with html and css is trivial, and JavaScript is very powerful. Best of all, every computer has a built in JavaScript runtime (web browser). This makes it easy to share what you build with friends and family.