[Yr7-10it] programming curriculum
Adrian Janson
jansona at mhs.vic.edu.au
Tue May 15 08:23:31 EST 2007
Hi Paul,
I've tried a number of things in this regard and come to some conclusions
(which I will get to...)
Anyway, at the moment, we use VB.Net Express Edition with our Year 9's.
It's great as it is a free download and it's also a great introduction to
GUI's and coding - it doesn't take a lot of effort to create interesting
programs and it can make pretty good games.
Our Year 10's currently use DarkBasic as well as GameMaker (doing a folio in
each language), before proceeding onto a project in which they can use
either - or something else entirely like RPG Toolkit (1 group doing this at
the moment), XNA (another group doing this) or a language of their choice
(another group doing C++).
I have tried to teach C (or C++) to middle school students but it is very
difficult and hard to get them to a point where they could make a
substantial program.
I really feel that the choice of language is not that important - there are
many schools around the state using packages that are not used in industry
(older versions, etc). The most important skills to learn are those related
to programming and data structures - and once students have these, they
could really learn ANY language. Ultimately, when our middle school
students get to Uni or into industry, they will be using something
completely different anyway, so - (and I am not saying - 'let's not bother
trying!'), but I don't think we need to think too hard about language
choice.
Anyway, hope this has been of some help - I would be more than happy to show
you some of our course materials or chat further if you would like.
Cheers,
Adrian
Adrian Janson
VITTA President
Director of ICT
Melbourne High School
Forrest Hill, South Yarra
p: (03) 9826 0711
f: (03) 9826 8767
e: jansona at mhs.vic.edu.au
www.mhs.vic.edu.au
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& Training.
-----Original Message-----
From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Paul Sijpkes
Sent: Monday, 14 May 2007 11:21 PM
To: 'Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List'
Subject: [Yr7-10it] programming curriculum
Good evening list,
I am in the process of developing a curriculum for a Year 10 elective in
programming. I have done some initial research and found that there is an
enormous range of options from the more popular products eg. Gamemaker and
Visual Basic to Python, Ruby, BlueJ, Robocode (very cool!) to just scratch
the surface.
I believe that a good grounding in Java or a C based language is probably
beneficial but I don't want to overwhelm the students with an overly
technical approach. Then again, I don't want them to be purely based in
Microsoft products and GUI development.
Could anyone else share their ideas and experiences in what works and what
doesn't? Your wisdom and feedback is much appreciated!
Regards,
Paul Sijpkes
The Knox School
-----Original Message-----
From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Costello, Rob R
Sent: Friday, 11 May 2007 12:04 PM
To: yr7-10it at edulists.com.au
Cc: Davies, Neville W
Subject: [Yr7-10it] Open Slather Internet - the EMP filter
You might be interested in podcast of Jimmy Wales, founder of wikipedia, and
his philosophy of open access and clean up tools
I like the restaurant analogy
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bigideas/stories/2007/1912621.htm
personally, I think we should adopt this sort of approach - the alternate
"lowest common denominator" approach leads to more frustration than security
I do have a foolproof filtering solution that may help - its called EMP.
Detonate an EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) over the school, once all students
are in place
This will leave students and staff unharmed, but will remove access to all
undesirables such as MySpace (how dare the kids the have their own space),
and will have the positive side effect of removing all distracting phones,
and mp3 players from use
What more could you ask?
Good old pen and paper will continue to work, but we can possibly manage
those risks
Only downside is that surveillance cameras may also be wiped
rob
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 9 May 2007 13:26:00 +1000
From: "Carnie, Sheryl M" <carnie.sheryl.m at edumail.vic.gov.au>
Subject: [Yr7-10it] RE: Open Slather Internet
To: <yr7-10it at edulists.com.au>
Message-ID:
<BFAB4F58A236B04189B6F277FD3333D41B3B3C at edusm05.education.vic.gov.au>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
On a slightly different tack, I'm interested in how other schools are
managi= ng the student access to Internet sites. Educache provides the
comfort of k= nowing there is very little inappropriate material accessible,
but then agai= n lots of interesting/relevant/useful & appropriate sites are
not readilby a= ccessible. Is there a workable compromise between Educache
at one extreme a= nd unrestricted access at the other? I'm finding that
delivery of the ICT f= or Communicating dimension at levels 5 & 6 is
difficult (all but impossible)= with just Educache access.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Sheryl
________________________________
From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of
yr7-10it-request at edulist= s.com.au
Sent: Wed 5/9/2007 12:00 PM
To: yr7-10it at edulists.com.au
Subject: Yr7-10it Digest, Vol 27, Issue 6
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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Open slather internet (Cameron Bell)
2. RE: Re: Open slather internet (Hutchison, Geoffrey G)
3. Re: Re: Open slather internet (Cameron Bell)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Wed, 09 May 2007 11:35:10 +1000
From: Cameron Bell <bell.cameron.p at edumail.vic.gov.au>
Subject: [Yr7-10it] Re: Open slather internet
To: "Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List"
<yr7-10it at edulists.com.au>
Message-ID: <4641254E.7000008 at edumail.vic.gov.au>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=3DISO-8859-1; format=3Dflowed
We took advantage of the Brightsparks unlimited access offer and get
unlimited downloads for $500 /mth.
We no longer have to worry about quotas, but we are looking at shaping tools
(GetBusi, Packateer) for traffic management.
Charging students and having them turn up to class without net access was
severely limiting the enthusiasm of teachers and students for using the
internet. It was a priority for us to remove this and had budgeted for
unlimited access on the old plan, but the Brightsparks offer has saved us
heaps, both in access fees and administration of credit.
It is not perfect, their help desk is non-existent and admin tools are very
very basic, but we find these minor issues when compared to being able walk
into a class and know that students will have access if required.
When we told staff of the new unlimited access, well, you should have heard
the cheer. :)
Cheers
Cameron
James GIBNEY wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> sorry if you get this a couple of times.
>
> At the moment we have an open slather internet policy and some kids
> are downloading excessive amounts. We are currently considering
> limiting monthly downloads to 40 MB. Is this too much? What are the
> limits at your school? Do you charge students who exceed their limits?
>
> Thanks again for help
>
> Regards
>
> Jim
>
Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received=
in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or using=
attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any loss, dam=
age or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not,
r= esulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our
liabi= lity is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any
representations= or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender,
and not necessari= ly those of the Department of Education.
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Wed, 9 May 2007 11:39:54 +1000
From: "Hutchison, Geoffrey G"
<hutchison.geoffrey.g at edumail.vic.gov.au>
Subject: RE: [Yr7-10it] Re: Open slather internet
To: "Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List"
<yr7-10it at edulists.com.au>
Message-ID:
<13BAA08D19BDF9439D0327BB37D362EF201AB8 at edusm02.education.vic.gov.au=
>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=3D"iso-8859-1"
Brightsparks offer?
Geoff Hutchison,
IT Co-ordinator/Manager,
McGuire College,
Shepparton, Vic
________________________________
From: yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Cameron Bell
Sent: Wed 5/9/2007 11:35 AM
To: Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: [Yr7-10it] Re: Open slather internet
We took advantage of the Brightsparks unlimited access offer and get
unlimited downloads for $500 /mth.
We no longer have to worry about quotas, but we are looking at shaping tools
(GetBusi, Packateer) for traffic management.
Charging students and having them turn up to class without net access was
severely limiting the enthusiasm of teachers and students for using the
internet. It was a priority for us to remove this and had budgeted for
unlimited access on the old plan, but the Brightsparks offer has saved us
heaps, both in access fees and administration of credit.
It is not perfect, their help desk is non-existent and admin tools are very
very basic, but we find these minor issues when compared to being able walk
into a class and know that students will have access if required.
When we told staff of the new unlimited access, well, you should have heard
the cheer. :)
Cheers
Cameron
James GIBNEY wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> sorry if you get this a couple of times.
>
> At the moment we have an open slather internet policy and some kids
> are downloading excessive amounts. We are currently considering
> limiting monthly downloads to 40 MB. Is this too much? What are the
> limits at your school? Do you charge students who exceed their limits?
>
> Thanks again for help
>
> Regards
>
> Jim
>
Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received=
=3D in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or
using= =3D attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of
any loss, dam= =3D age or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of
the sender or not, r= =3D esulting directly or indirectly from the use of
any attached files our liabi= =3D lity is limited to resupplying any
affected attachments. Any representations= =3D or opinions expressed are
those of the individual sender, and not necessari= =3D ly those of the
Department of Education.
_______________________________________________
http://www.edulists.com.au <http://www.edulists.com.au/> <http://www.edulis=
ts.com.au/> - FAQ, resources,=3D subscribe, unsubscribe Year 7 - 10 IT
Mailing List kindly supported by http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au
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Curric=3D ulum and Assessment Authority and http://www.vitta.org.au
<http://www.vitta.org.au/> <http://www.vitta.org.au=
/> - VITTA Victorian Infor=3D
mation Technology Teachers Association Inc
Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received=
=3D in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or
using= =3D attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of
any loss, dam= =3D age or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of
the sender or not, r= =3D esulting directly or indirectly from the use of
any attached files our liabi= =3D lity is limited to resupplying any
affected attachments. Any representations= =3D or opinions expressed are
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Department of Education.
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Message: 3
Date: Wed, 09 May 2007 11:50:57 +1000
From: Cameron Bell <bell.cameron.p at edumail.vic.gov.au>
Subject: Re: [Yr7-10it] Re: Open slather internet
To: "Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List"
<yr7-10it at edulists.com.au>
Message-ID: <46412901.7060802 at edumail.vic.gov.au>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=3DISO-8859-1; format=3Dflowed
Late last year they offered the unlimited downloads for $500 /mth. I was
told about it from someone who was watching the ISP's and had it confirmed
that another school nearby (2000 students) was using it and were happy with
it, so we moved over.
I am not sure if it still valid, check their website?
Hutchison, Geoffrey G wrote:
> Brightsparks offer?
>
> Geoff Hutchison,
> IT Co-ordinator/Manager,
> McGuire College,
> Shepparton, Vic
>
>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Cameron Bell
> *Sent:* Wed 5/9/2007 11:35 AM
> *To:* Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List
> *Subject:* [Yr7-10it] Re: Open slather internet
>
> We took advantage of the Brightsparks unlimited access offer and get
> unlimited downloads for $500 /mth.
> We no longer have to worry about quotas, but we are looking at shaping
> tools (GetBusi, Packateer) for traffic management.
> Charging students and having them turn up to class without net access
> was severely limiting the enthusiasm of teachers and students for
using
> the internet. It was a priority for us to remove this and had budgeted
> for unlimited access on the old plan, but the Brightsparks offer has
> saved us heaps, both in access fees and administration of credit.
> It is not perfect, their help desk is non-existent and admin tools are
> very very basic, but we find these minor issues when compared to being
> able walk into a class and know that students will have access if
> required.
> When we told staff of the new unlimited access, well, you should have
> heard the cheer. :)
>
> Cheers
> Cameron
>
>
> James GIBNEY wrote:
> > Hi all,
> >
> > sorry if you get this a couple of times.
> >
> > At the moment we have an open slather internet policy and some kids
> > are downloading excessive amounts. We are currently considering
> > limiting monthly downloads to 40 MB. Is this too much? What are the
> > limits at your school? Do you charge students who exceed their
limits?
> >
> > Thanks again for help
> >
> > Regards
> >
> > Jim
> >
>
> Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If
> received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before
> opening or using attachments check them for viruses and defects.
> Regardless of any loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the
> negligence of the sender or not, resulting directly or indirectly from
> the use of any attached files our liability is limited to resupplying
> any affected attachments. Any representations or opinions expressed
> are those of the individual sender, and not necessarily those of the
> Department of Education.
> _______________________________________________
> http://www.edulists.com.au <http://www.edulists.com.au/>
<http://www.edul=
ists.com.au/> - FAQ,
> resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
> Year 7 - 10 IT Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au <http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/>
<http://www.vcaa=
.vic.edu.au/> - Victorian
> Curriculum and Assessment Authority and http://www.vitta.org.au
> <http://www.vitta.org.au/>
<http://www.vitta.org.=
au/> - VITTA Victorian
> Information Technology Teachers Association Inc
>
Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received=
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r= esulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our
liabi= lity is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any
representations= or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender,
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------------------------------
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