Re: Free GNU/Linux intro class for teens advice? Purchase box? Squeak/Smalltalk programming

[Lisi Reisz <lisi.reisz@gmail.com>]

On Tuesday 07 July 2015 10:05:03 shawn wilson wrote:
> I would also teach the system separate from programming. They're both big
> topics and you'll end up overwhelming everyone (yourself included).

Strongly seconded.  I last taught computing to a class of young teens on ZX81s 
in early 1983, but I have taught Linux to teenagers outside class more 
recently.

You need to know what you want to achieve, since it will strongly affect the 
answer.  You need to know at whom it is aimed.  Is this aimed at young geeks 
to increase their geekdom, or at youngsters in general to ween then off the 
idea that if it doesn't run Windows, it isn't a computer?  Is it aimed at 
teenagers, gender random, or boys? 

Then you need to know your audience.  Bore them and you will have lost them.  
It has to be fun.

But you do need a clear idea yourself of the answers to those and similar 
questions.  A muddle is boring.

Lisi