[Yr7-10it] Re: [it-teachers] python programming competition

[Bill Kerr]

hi kevork,

Only an introductory level, unfortunately - used as an extension for kids
who chew up everything else quickly

I had a couple of students participate last year (one year 10, one year 11).
This year I am planning to run some introductory lunchtime sessions before
the event

One fear I have is that students have become so used to "user friendly" and
"drag and drop" then when they encounter a text based language they find it
alien. I try to talk them through this and stagger the introductory problems
that I set to make the learning gradual but the resistance or reluctance is
there for sure, in my experience. I'm sad about that but what the heck. I
can still learn python myself and rant to my students about how important it
is.

I have entered the competition myself in the past couple of years - here is
my write up from
http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2007/08/thoughts-on-python-programming.html

Note that the competition changed last year with a beginners and advanced
section

cheers


On Thu, Jun 25, 2009 at 9:02 AM, Kevork Krozian <K.Krozian at fhc.vic.edu.au>wrote:

>  Hi Peter and Bill,
>
>
>
>  At what year level and level of difficulty are you using Python ?
>
>
>
>
>
> Kind Regards
>
> Kevork Krozian
>
> Digital Learning Manager
>
> Forest Hill College
>
> k.krozian at fhc.vic.edu.au
>
> Mobile: 0419 356 034
>
>
>
> *From:* yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:
> yr7-10it-bounces at edulists.com.au] *On Behalf Of *Peter Ruwoldt
> *Sent:* Thursday, 25 June 2009 7:32 AM
> *To:* Information Technology teachers group
> *Cc:* yr7-10it at edulists.com.au
> *Subject:* [Yr7-10it] Re: [it-teachers] python programming competition
>
>
>
> This is really worth doing.  The students I had do it last year learnt lots
> and really enjoyed the challenge.
> Peter
>
> 2009/6/24 Bill Kerr <billkerr at gmail.com>
>
> The School of IT at the University of Sydney is running a programming
> challenge for high school students over 5 weeks in term 3, 2009 - starting
> on Monday 10 August.
>
> Unlike existing competitions, the NCSS Challenge is designed to cater for
> both beginners and advanced students. Each week, a set of Python teaching
> resources for either in-class or self-directed learning will be distributed
> to participants via email and online. A set of challenge questions testing
> this material will also be distributed. Each week's challenge set will range
> from relatively easy to extremely challenging allowing beginners to progress
> at their own rate whilst extending gifted students. The challenges will
> increase in complexity as more and more programming concepts are covered
> over the 5 weeks.
>
> Teachers can enter too
>
> http://challenge.ncss.edu.au/
>
> --
> Bill Kerr
> http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/
>
>
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>
>
> --
> Free and Open education for all
>
> Peter Ruwoldt
> Grant High School
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> MOUNT GAMBIER  SA  5290
>
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>
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