Bob, I don't disagree at all. I am just amazed that Java has finally reached the 7th grade or so over say, Basic. Back in 1984 I was learning Basic on apple 2s in the 7th grade. I loved it. It is what started me on the path that leads to where I am today. I'd say out of several classes and possibly 80 7th/8th grade students who took the class, only two of us kept it up the next year and thru high school. Today, my kids have computers in their classrooms and use them daily for various tasks, mostly for math/reading exercises tho.
I am glad to see that someone is doing this, I applaud him as well. The US of A has fallen way behind on turning out science/technical engineers and this is a great way to get it going! In fact, the idea of using Android on a phone device that kids completely associate with as a "cool" device is probably the best way to invigorate kids into programming! How kewl will it be when some 8th grade kid shows some friends this neat little app he made that he can share with them on their devices. I also think Java/Android are a far better platform to learn on than say Mac/Objective C. The costs alone for the macs would probably be too much for most schools, and then having to be able to deploy to an expensive iPhone.. while some kids will have iTouch/iPhones, I suspect a LOT more kids will end up with android devices. I am already looking at the buy one get one free deal on Verizon for Eris.. which is like $80.. for two! They will only get cheaper and more capable by the time I am ready to get one for my oldest kids. Now.. on that note, slightly off topic.. I hope Android (and google) sees an opportunity for potential Android devices that would allow someone like one of us to write some software that prevents the camera/video camera/audio recorder to work at set times.. so that they can't go film video or take pictures of kids in the bathroom and get expelled!! I have a difficult time finding any phone that doesn't have camera/video capabilities now. But anyway... So kudos Josh. I wish more schools would offer such classes! As it is our schools in California are getting ripped apart due to lack of funds.. just found out all our elementary schools in our area are going to lose all music/art classes next year, and PE is going to be taught by teachers, etc. Very sad what we keep taking away form our kids! On Sun, Jan 31, 2010 at 6:30 AM, Mihai Fonoage <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Josh, > > We are teaching undergrad and grad students Android at FAU. Our end > goal is to get high school students interested in Android. I salute > your efforts and I donated for these efforts! > > Mihai Fonoage > > On Jan 30, 6:20 pm, joshbeck <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hello everyone: > > > > I teach an 8th grade programming class in San Antonio Texas. We're > > learning Android and I convinced the school to buy us 3 dev phones for > > the kids. > > > > Here's an article about what we're doing: > > > > http://www.neisd.net/ComRel/News/Krueger_Smartphone_10.htm > > > > I'd like to purchase a netbook to supplement the phones so that when > > the students check them out, they have an out-of-the-box programming > > environment within which the phones work. > > > > I've put together a donation page. My goal is to raise $350 dollars > > for a netbook to go along with these devices. If you can donate $1, > > $5, or $10 to help my class out, it would be greatly appreciated. > > > > http://www.linuxclassroom.com/donation/donate.html > > > > Thanks so much for considering it! > > > > Josh Beck > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google > Groups "Android Developers" group. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected] > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > [email protected]<android-developers%[email protected]> > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Android Developers" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/android-developers?hl=en
