Sem 3: Learn a language (actually several) that we do not have a text book for. Use an API, on-line resources and sample code to reach a fairly operational level in the language. Hopefully learn how to learn. I want them to be able to find and read the resources.
Kids hate to learn how to learn. They want it handed to them in a nice package, hopefully in a step-by-step manner in a lecture. (I kind of like it that way too but then I am also pretty lazy.) For the Corona assignment I show them where to get the free download of Corona, how the website is laid out, which tutorials are halfway decent and some good sample code to look at. At this stage I do not want to teach them to code, I want them to learn to code using the resources available. The class becomes much more interactive. The kids share the “how did you do that?” code. They end up having to teach themselves to a large extent. They learn how to learn.
Garth Flint shares in his "More on learning to learn" what he wants his kids to learn to to in his programming class. Semester 3, he wants to the students to "learn to learn". Many times, we as teachers give them each step of the procedure. We do not allow them to learn by learning itself. We as teachers need to move aside and be the guide. Let's provide resources and direct them in the right direction. This means we need to be prepared to allow them to struggle and sometimes even fail. Failure is a lesson learned as well. We are there ready to redirect and help them when they need it but not give them the answer.
Thank you to Garth for posting his thoughts for others to read.
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