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Python Lesson 1 Exercise: Which Language Web Quest
Introduction
You are the technology curriculum coordinators for the Shelby County school system. You have been asked to decide which language should be used for teaching a beginning level high-school course on introduction to programming.
Task
Each member of the group must read and take notes on one of the articles below. Read the site as completely as possible, listing the pros and cons for each of the languages mentioned. Then, as a group, prepare a summary report on the languages, including your conclusion on which language should be used and why it is preferable to the other languages.
Process
1. You will be assigned to a group of 3-4 students.2. Each student in the group should select a different article to read. 3. Read your selected article and take notes to help you understand different programming languages. Your notes should include positives from languages, negatives against languages, and ideas on what is important in a beginner's programming course. (You will be asked to turn in these notes so be certain to write the name of the article you are reading as well as your own name.) 4. As a group, determine what you consider to be most important when choosing a language. Then, discuss what you have read about the languages and make a group determination on which language you will use. 5. As a group, prepare a presentation (in PowerPoint preferably) describing what the different languages you considered, which language you chose, and why you chose that language. Elect one person to be spokesman for the group and give the presentation. Presentation should be approximately 5 minutes.
Resources
• Slashdot.org: Posts from tech geeks asked which programming language should be the first one taught and why.
• Guido's essay: Essay comparing Python with other languages. • Why Python?: Article from a Linux programmer comparing Python with other languages. • Python In High School: A report on why one High school chose to use Python, the results, and the reaction of students. • AP Comp. Sci. Report: Report on why the college board is changing AP Computer Science test from C++ to Java.
Evaluation
Student grades will be based on the notes they have taken, their group participation, and the quality of the group presentation.
A = Student took detailed notes, offered valuable contributions to the group decision, cooperated well with the group, and helped develop a PowerPoint presentation that covered at least four possible language choices in detail.
B = Student took fairly detailed notes, offered some valuable contributions to the group decision, cooperated some with the group, and helped develop a presentation with three possible language choices adequately covered(may not have used PowerPoint).
C = Student took a few notes on some main ides, offered one or two suggestions in the group, cooperated somewhat with the group decision, and helped develop a presentation that covered only two language options. D = Student wrote only a few words for notes, did not participate in the group work (or hindered the group cooperation), did not contribute to the presentation or presentation did not cover any languages in detail F = Student did not turn in any notes, did not participate in the group work, distracted group members from their objective, and did not contribute to the presentation.
Conclusion
Choosing a language for any project, including which to teach students in an introductory programming course, requires consideration of many options. No one language is perfect; each has its strengths and weaknesses.
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