Do Russian children like APL2?

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the experience of teaching APL2 and computer science based on APL2 to thirteen and fourteen year old children. The paper analyses and illustrates teaching goals, curriculum, teaching methods, and common lesson plans. Examples of learning tasks and APL2 functions are presented. The benefits of APL2 for the education of children are discussed from the viewpoints of psychology, learning motivation, the integration of the teaching process, and practical effectiveness.

REFERENCES

• 1: James A. Brown , Sandra Pakin , Raymond P. Polivka, APL2: at a glance, Prentice-Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1988
• 2: Alexander O. Skomorokhov, Nuclear power plant diagnostics in APL, ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad, v.21 n.4, p.289-300, Aug. 1991
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• 4: D.Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People, Pocket Books, a division of Simon and Schuster, N.Y.,1966.
• 5: Seymour Papert, Mindstorms: Children, computers, and powerful ideas, Basic Books, Inc., New York, NY, 1980
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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.2 Language Classifications

          Nouns: APL

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.1 MODELS AND PRINCIPLES
      H.1.2 User/Machine Systems
          Subjects: Human factors

  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

General Terms:
Human Factors, Languages