Ask HN: As a coding teacher in middle / high school, which tools are you using?

11 points by bachmitre 4 years ago | 9 comments
And also: which tools (or abilities) are you lacking for a better teaching (and learning) experience ?
  • ___luigi 4 years ago
    I'm not a teacher, but I heard good things about replit https://replit.com/teams-for-education
    • replwoacause 4 years ago
      But I just saw on the front page that their CEO just strongarmed a little open source guy so...that's a conundrum.
      • 4 years ago
    • ravanpao 4 years ago
      You should checkout Teaching Python Podcast run by two teachers teaching Python to middle school kids. https://www.teachingpython.fm/episodes
      • cjcassar 4 years ago
        I think codesandbox is quite good. I always find that one on ones are the best way to enhance the learning experience.

        https://codesandbox.io/

        • ryanmentor 4 years ago
          I have been a teacher, tutor, and head of school clubs, as well as director of education for makerspaces.

          The tools to focus on are THE FUNDAMENTALS. The fundamentals start with the framing - that means talking about Software Freedoms and our relationship with technology and society.

          Then once the foundations are in place, the Free Tech starts to matter. Linux, Firefox, Devtools + html/js, Scratch etc.

          Be sure you're clear on what your own goals are. Are you an entertainer, or an educator?

          • bachmitre 4 years ago
            Currently neither nor, but I used to teach unix systems administration in evening schools 20 years ago.. now I have children in middle / high school, and I wonder what tools are currently used in schools to teach programming
          • ragnot 4 years ago
            Not a teacher, but its always good to start kids young on vim: https://vim-adventures.com/
            • schwartzworld 4 years ago
              I would focus on web technologies. Getting something on the screen with html and css is trivial, and JavaScript is very powerful.

              Best of all, every computer has a built in JavaScript runtime (web browser). This makes it easy to share what you build with friends and family.

              • hulug 4 years ago
                As a "coding" teacher I would stop teaching how to "code" and start teaching how to think and solve problems.