Introduction
"use two or more programming languages, one of which is textual, each used to solve a variety of computational problems"
Self study resources
Codecademy (interactive javascript tutorials)
Learn Python (interactive tutorials). See also
Briggs, J. (2007) Snake wrangling for kids,
Dawson, M. (2009) Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner. Boston MA: Course Technology and
Shaw, Z. (2010) Learn Python the hard way.
Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python A free e-book with tutorials introducing various programming concepts
Try Ruby (interactive tutorials)
see also Gillette, J. (n.d.) Why’s (poignant) guide to Ruby.
Try Haskell (interactive tutorials)
The "I Teach Blog". Well worth a read as it has some useful links and provides a good overview of some areas not just specific to Textual Programming. Posted by New Ways to Learn Ltd.
"MR EGS's Blog" on textual programming. Using Greenfoot, there are some interesting uses on getting pupils into textual programming with a focus on vintage gaming. GREENFOOT is brilliant to put some storyboarding and planning into programming in the classroom and simple enough for pupils to understand. A good game will always be a good outcome to engage pupils, acting like a reward. Posted by New Ways to Learn Ltd.
Plenty of good content via Twitter especially is you use #arduino which brings textual programming right up to date and makes it very accessible to schools. Posted by New Ways to Learn Ltd.
Greenfoot on Facebook. Worth "liking" the Greenfoot page on Facebook to see what others are doing, ask questions and get some informal support. Posted by New Ways to Learn Ltd.
Udacity course. CS 101: Introduction to computer science, covers Python.
Introduction to Python - An excellent introduction to Python for students and teachers courtesy of Mark Clarkson via CAS online.
Touch Develop - Touch Develop is an online app creation tool from Microsoft Research. Originally designed to develop Windows Phone 7 apps, Touch Develop has recently been updated as a web app and now allows you to develop Windows Store apps suitable for Windows 8 touch screen devices. TouchDevelop is easy to use and works with several web browsers. TouchDevelop contains a series of pre-built tutorials to get you started. David Renton (Extended Lecturer in Games Development, Reid Kerr College, Scotland) has also uploaded a series of excellent video tutorials to YouTube.
KidsRuby is a very simple editor/ IDE for Ruby. It has a number of Ruby Libraries (gems) pre-installed such as a game library and turtle style graphics to ease the transition from roamers and logo to Ruby.
Codecademy's Ruby Track will help you get going with this powerful and accessible object-orientated language.
repl.it Online Interpreters in JavaScript, Python, Ruby, Scheme, Lua, CoffeeScript and many more programming languages.
Resources for lectures or group study
Greenfoot- free to download and good to get pupils working in groups managing the "production" of a simple game from storyboarding, through planning, graphics and coding. Posted by New Ways to Learn Ltd.
See also The Greenroom - community site for Greenfoot users
Kölling, M (2009) Introduction to programming with Greenfoot. London: Pearson.
Joy of Code - sequence of video tutorials for Greenfoot from Michael Kölling.
Utting, I, Cooper, S, Kölling, M, Maloney, J and Resnick, M, (2010) Alice, Greenfoot and Scratch - a discussion. ACM Transactions on Computing Education, Vol. 10, No. 4, Article 17
London Python Dojo - Nicolas Tollervoy presentation at Europython 2011
Resources for use with pupils
Sonic Pi - Scheme of working teaching programming concepts using a text based environment that makes music. Currently on Rasp Pi but Windows based app being produced. (see zip file below)
Introduction to C++ Coding. A good introduction (with an American accent) to textual programming with C++. Links a simple classroom scenario to how it translates into a common programming language. Posted by New Ways to Learn Ltd.
Introduction to Programs, Data Types and Variables from Khan Academy. A simple introduction to programming in Python. It starts with showing the role of Data Types and Strings in textual programming. About 11 minutes and covers a good glossary of terms. Posted by New Ways to Learn Ltd.
Lots of proven tools here for textual programming. Ranging from a funky version of Notepad to some more in-depth and highly functional applications. Worth reviewing to choose one as a core platform for KS3.
KS3 Programming Workbook. Not always the easiest format for quick learning, however, this will be a good starting point for many teachers and readily transformed into a workbook for pupils. Just 8 pages long and covers the basics to get you a few steps ahead of pupils. Well recommended for a quick read. Posted by New Ways to Learn Ltd.
Invent Your Own Computer Games with Python A free e-book with tutorials introducing various programming concepts. "Written to be understandable by kids as young as 10 to 12"
KidsRuby is a very simple editor/ IDE for Ruby. It has a number of Ruby Libraries (gems) pre-installed such as a game library and turtle style graphics to ease the transition from roamers and logo to Ruby.
Programming Languages: IDEs. Video.