Coding for older kids
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
|
DC is 6th grade, and has been taking some Python class (tutor:student=1:1 or 1:2) for more than a half year. We are not sure how effective this class is. It is coding school, but the assigned tutor is a high schooler, and the other day, the tutor could not help fixing DC's coding.
I see AOPS has online Python classes and the intro class has only 12 lessons. I am wondering if this can be very efficient (timewise and costwise), or kids cannot learn really by just 12 lessons? Any thoughts? Most of the coding classes are targeting younger kids or camps, and I am not sure how the middle schoolers and up are learning programming that can be applied in AP computer science class in high school. Our high school seems taking Java, not Python, so I am not sure if DC should also learn Java at some point before high school. Any insight would be appreciated. |
Anonymous
The AoPS intro to Python class is quite challenging. It may only be 12 weeks, but it covers a wealth of material. Assuming your child has no issues with reading the assigned material and paying attention to the 1.5 hour weekly class (which covers quite a bit in a live but text based format), it would certainly be my top choice. Note, that I did have to help my kid when they took this class over the summer and they only got through half of it before needing a break. The good news is that you can download all of the homework materials and solutions, as well as the text transcript for each class (which is provided right after the end of each class and contains all the instructor questions and student responses, around 20-30 pages worth of info). So if your kid cannot keep up the pace for 12 weeks, they can always continue working on it offline at their pace provided you can help them a bit when they get stuck. |
Anonymous
| OP. Thanks! It's good to hear that it can be very effective if DC works hard. |
Anonymous
| OP. DC just finished the intro course. It took a significant time for each homework, but DC managed to get the overall grade of blue color. |
Anonymous
| Also consider having your child join First Tech Challenge league, where he can join a robotics team and learn coding while they build a robot to compete with other teams. They take all skill levels and kids are offered coding classes as part of the team practices. Granted it's not Python-- it's Java, but the principles and logic are almost the same. Look up NOVA Labs to see if FTC is the right choice for your child. |
Anonymous
How was the rigor? Are you happy? Pros/cons, thoughts, etc? |
Anonymous
|
How was the rigor? Are you happy? Pros/cons, thoughts, etc?
I cannot speak about the substance as I have no knowledge about coding, but it seemed difficult. For the writing assignment, even if DC wrote coding after spending a half/full day, and submitted after confirming it works, DC never got a full score. I guess that this course is not for beginners even if it says "intro." |
Anonymous
| KTByte has good online courses and ramps up to USACO (although there are some better options). For projects and research, the path is a little less structured. |
Anonymous
| DataCamp is a great resource, but the target audience is adults without much proper CS training. HS kids should be be able to handle, there is no need to have them doing things like scratch |