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Ask HN: How to set up a laptop for teaching a teenager programming

3 points by sume ↗ HN
The internet connection is pretty bad so I'd like the install to be as self-contained as possible. The programming language does not matter, what's important is the ability to teach basic principles while being fun/interesting enough and does not require online content. A linux based system would be an added bonus

1 comment

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zeroprox
I think this looks like a good way to teach a teen using minecraft. It is windows 10 based though, and doesn't look to use an actual programming language, but does provide a good way of learning the fundamentals that most languages do have. https://makecode.com/blog/minecraft/10-18-2017 After they make it through that you could transition them to learning java and making minecraft mods which should be interesting enough. Personally, I think having access to google/stack overflow is a must when learning a language, not being able to ask or find answers to questions can be a huge turn off for newer programmers and may make them want to give up.