1. What language do you recommend *and* why?
My thought is it should be something that can be easily done *without* a major IDE. Honestly, Visual Basic comes to mind as the most usable IDE for children. Otherwise, maybe something I can set up that they code in an ASCII editor and then compile via CLI (via the editor).
Some things to note:
1. My children are extremely gifted, are all taking advanced classes in school and have a peculiar interest in all things technology-related.
2. My oldest loves HTML and JavaScript and can type approximately 55 WPM. She's 9.
3. My second oldest loves HTML and designing artwork in TuxPaint. She types at about 80 WPM. She's 7.
4. My third oldest has won more art contests than she is old. She uses Photoshop. She types at about 25 WPM. She's 6.
5. My 1 and half year old likes building things with legos. I was worried she was a savant at first, but due to her illogical color schemes, doctors assure me she's just a talented little piggy.
So, I'm dealing with some relatively smart girls, but let me also say this. They adore the fact that I can create 3D CG work, which I do in Maya and Blender, depending on what computer I'm at. None of them can wrap their heads around either application.
They also love the stuff I'm able to do in JavaScript. The oldest cannot wrap her head around most advanced topics though. Once I go through the principles and steps with her, she grasps them, yet is unable to employ them again into a unique situation.
My family, beginning with me has some very serious mental disabilities and disorders. I have a frontal lobe problem affecting both my rational judgment, logical and critical thinking, and short-term memory. I see some of these signs in them, in that they sometimes grasp something in 10 seconds that takes me 10 hours. At the same time I see them grasping things in 10 hours that takes me 10 seconds. It all really depends on the scenario and the problem.
So, despite being a gifted family we have several issues to contend with. Despite all of this though, I would like everyone's biased or unbiased opinions. If you have anything positive or negative to add, I request that you provide detailed information either way.
As a last aside about myself. I dabble in:
1. PHP, Python, Perl (all MySQL-related)
2. JavaScript, ECMAScript, VBScript
3. POV-Ray, Blender, Maya
4. Inkscape, The GIMP, Artweaver, ArtRage
I've never been successful at relating the information I understand in these areas to them or my wife though. They all say that I talk too fast and way above their ability to grasp what I'm saying.
I guess I'd make a great teacher for a genius crack-addict.
Logged
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