I've not dabbled in Python yet. With that disclaimer ut of the way, isn't this possibly an argument in favor of Python being used as an introduction? I did all the programming I've done up until a couple months ago (when I started my first course on it) completely on my own and self taught. One of the hardest things for me to adjust to is formatting properly for sighted readers. My screen reader cared little about white space, and the compiler cared even less. So remembering to format code properly this semester has cost me as much as real programming has. I very much wish the programmer's elements of style were conveyed to me more forcefully early on, and I wonder if this might not just be a feather in Python's cap. Now, as I said, I've not got around to exploring Python, and if it uses indentation rules that vary from the ones that people would typically like to see in other common languages, then I stand corrected. But taken completely on its own, the fact that Python requires indentation hardly seems like it should disqualify it from being a good starting point. The fact that indentation is something that a blind programmer could so easily overlook makes me think that forcing it to be done correctly in the early stages wouldn't be such a bad thing.
*shrug* A different prospective. JW Octavian Rasnita wrote:
Unfortunately Python is one of the most blind-unfriendly languages because of its requirement for indentation, so I don't think a blind person should start programming with python, because she or he might think that the indentation is important for all the languages. Octavian----- Original Message ----- *From:* Arnold Bailey <mailto:arnoldbail@xxxxxxxxx> *To:* programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> *Sent:* Monday, November 12, 2007 1:27 AM *Subject:* Re: BlindConfidential: Learning to Program for the Blind Chris, I have also been looking into the same issue. If you look at my website http://www.blind411.org/ITCareers/ under teachers"->course plans, I am building a series of course sessions. These are being presented to blind and visually impaired middle and high school students in our school district. In my approach I will: 1. Introduce Information Technology as a career. You'll see the presentation link. 2. I decided on Python to introduce the concept of programming. It is an interpretive and can be executed interactively. This allows hands on and experience the results immediately. Also, the IDLE (GUI) interface seems to be better for the visually impaired because of the font; and, the command line interface is needed for Jaws for the blind students. You'll see a link to my scenario. Downloading and installing python is easy. You'll see the link there also. 3. My next plan is to teach Java to any of the students who feel like trying programming. I picked Java because it is widely taught in colleges as an introduction to compsci. It is also C like and it is object oriented. If you click in the nav links on learning Java, you see the links to install it and some tutorials. The site is intended for student instruction. The references and links were largely gotten through this mailing list by a lot of generous and knowledgeable programmers. I kept references/tutorials/etc. to a minimum because there is way too much information out there. Sometimes focus is needed. I have many years of programming experience in more languages than I care to admit. I have only a minimal cursory knowledge of Java; but, when I start instruction, I'll read up on the Java tutorials. I planned to instruct via email/skype and the online tutorials; but, I haven't gotten to that point yet. In a couple months, I should be ready. Contact me via email if I can help in any way. Arnold On Nov 11, 2007 4:10 PM, inthaneelf <inthaneelf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:inthaneelf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote: Chris, I don't totally agree with the statement about learning jaws scripting to learn programming, but the rest of those recommendations work. more on this though, is what programming instructional classes (both in there high school, and outside/after)are available in there area. if any or all the basic languages are readily available, then what does he wish to program, as we all know, the language should be based on his learning style, and what he wishes to do, anywhere from visual basic.net <http://basic.net> and C#, to java, to C and C++ or raw assembler are available to him, along with html, xhtml, xml, asp.net <http://asp.net> incorporated with C# or VB, PHP, and the rest of that group. so, I'd say that the main question is what does this student wish to do, then they can go from there! if you want, give the person that contacted you my E mail and I'd be more than willing to talk with them at length on what can be done, and since I am an information monger, and not much of a programmer, but do have some knowledge in programming, I think... I'm not as set in stone as to a particular language or learning method, so may be able to tackle it with a bit more "All around lack of preference". HTH, Inthane • For Blind Programming assistance, Information, Useful Programs, and Links to Jamal Mazrui's Text tutorial packages and Applications, visit me at: http://grabbag.alacorncomputer.com • to be able to view a simple programming project in several programming languages, visit the Fruit basket demo site at: http://fruitbasketdemo.alacorncomputer.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph Lee" <joseph.lee22590@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:joseph.lee22590@xxxxxxxxx>> To: <programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 7:50 AM Subject: RE: BlindConfidential: Learning to Program for the Blind > Hi there, > I would presonally recommend this student to: > * Subscribe to number of mailing list such as Blind Programming list. > * Search on Google for tutorials on basic programming. > * Take online AP Computer Science course to learn about Java, object > oriented programming, etc. > The best way to start in programming would be learning about JAWS scripts. > This should allow a student to learn how JAWS actually works, under what a > variable, function and other things in programming mean and to learn how > to > interpret script languages. Then I would recommend this person to study C > or > Java. Or, if the student is interested, he can learn HTML to code > websites. > Cheers, > Joseph P.S. I'm also a high school student so I understand Wilkins' > situation. > > -----Original Message----- > From: programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > [mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:programmingblind-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>] On Behalf Of Chris > Hofstader > Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2007 7:38 AM > To: programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:programmingblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Subject: FW: BlindConfidential: Learning to Program for the Blind > > Can people here help this person? > > -----Original Message----- > From: Anya Kogan [mailto:akogan3@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:akogan3@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>] > Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 1:47 PM > To: Chris.Hofstader@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:Chris.Hofstader@xxxxxxxxxxx> > Subject: BlindConfidential: Learning to Program for the Blind > > Hi Chris, > > I am a graduate student at the Georgia Institute of Technology and also a > new volunteer at the Center for the Visually Impaired in Atlanta. I > assist > in teaching the computer class there to blind and visually impaired > students. I am sighted myself and very new to the challenges of being > visually impaired. One of my students is a blind high-school age boy > named > Wilkens. Wilkens is very proficient in the computer basics using Jaws. > He > very quickly and easily surfs the net, types on Microsoft Word and uses > Microsoft Excel. He has now expressed interest in learning to program. I > am very new to programming myself, but would be willing to learn. > However, > how can I teach or at least assist a blind young man to program? I am not > even sure where to begin. Can you recommend any resources or lend > any advice on this topic? Do you know of any online tutorials? > Courses? What language should he start with? Is there a first project > that > would benefit him? Any help that you can lend me would be most > appreciated. > Wilkens has a lot of drive and I would hate to have that go to waste. > > Best, > Anya > > > __________ NOD32 2610 (20071023) Information __________ > > This message was checked by NOD32 antivirus system. > http://www.eset.com > > > __________ > View the list's information and change your settings at > //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind <//www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind> > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.28/1123 - Release Date: > 11/10/2007 > 3:47 PM > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.28/1123 - Release Date: > 11/10/2007 > 3:47 PM > > > __________ > View the list's information and change your settings at > //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind > __________ View the list's information and change your settings at //www.freelists.org/list/programmingblind-- Arnoldhttp://www.blind411.orghttp://www.blind411.org/ITCareers/
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