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HEROES will offer the following on-line courses starting this fall: Intro to HTML, Intro to Linux for Computer Programming & Intro to Python. All courses are FREE to HEROES members. HEROES membership is $35 per year for qualified students. For qualifying scores and additional info go to http://HEROESgifted.org

What would be envolved in the free courses? Is there a meeting time on line? Homework? Program/computer requirements? What is the time expectation for participating the class. Can a PG 5th grader do this?

DS11 has done some lego robotics, Scratch programming, and Stick Figure Pivot. I think this is all drag and drop.

What would make this course appealing/useful? What could the programming be used for? I don't know much about programming. Is the HTML all about web development?

It sound like a good opportunity but I'd like more info.

The original message mentioned that the Python language would be taught. Python is a modern, popular, general-purpose programming language that is also fairly easy to learn. Therefore the programming could be used for almost anything. Yes, HTML is about web development.

Python is free, and there are tutorials online. I suggest having your child download it and try it.

These courses will be completely on-line.

- Intro to HTML will teach kids the basics of making simple web-pages. We plan to offer follow-up courses in the future to teach kids more advanced web development skills.

- Intro to Linux for Computer Programming will teach kids how to download and use the Linux operating system. Linux is required to take the Intro to Python class. It will also be useful for kids who want to make web pages. If you live in or near NJ, this class will also be offered as a one-day in-person option in the fall and again during the HEROES conference in January.

- Into to Python requires that students complete Intro to Linux first and take either an in-person or on-line assessment to make sure they are ready for this class. Python is a computer programming class similar to C/C++

Students should have either completed Algebra or demonstrate a similar math ability by submitting SAT scores with at least 550 on the Math section. Students must qualify for HEROES in order to register for any of these courses. See HEROESgifted.org for qualification requirements.

Yes Python is free, open source software. It is a programming language similar to C/C++ or Java.

Linux is a free, open source operating system similar to Windows but allows some flexibility that Windows does not and is therefore useful if you are doing computer programming or web design.

HTML is the markup language used to make a web-page. It is very basic but can do some formatting, links and tables. After learning HTML, students can learn other languages to make more sophisticated sites. HEROES plans on developing the following sequence:

- HTML
- CSS
- PHP with MySQL
- JavaScript

These will be self-paced courses that students can begin whenever they want and progress through the material at their own pace. They will be able to post questions on a message board if they need help.

Intro to HTML is a fairly simple class that will teach students the basics of using this markup language to make simple web-sites. HEROES intends to expand on web-development lessons to include CSS, PHP with MySQL and JavaScript as we have students who complete more basic courses. All of this uses free software.

Into to Linux for Computer Programming is designed to prepare students to take the Python course which requires a familiarity with Linux. Linux and Python are both available free. Both of these courses will also be offered at the HEROES Conference in January if students prefer to work in a live classroom rather than on-line.

Students should either have completed Algebra or demonstrate an ability to handle algebra concepts by submitting SAT scores with at least 550 on the SAT math. If your child has not yet taken the SAT, you may register her for the HEROES Talent Search.

This sounds like a great opportunity. Thank you for posting.

Do you have a sense how long the Linux part of the course would take?

If you come to the one-day program its about 2 hours to get everything loaded and then learn a few basics. Then there are only about a half dozen other lessons. The point of the Linux is to make sure the kids have the tools to do the Python. Linux by itself it not that exciting but the kids need it on their computers and need to know how to use it in order to write their programs.

DS11 would probally be interested in the online course but has not taken the SAT. He has taken explore and excepted as DYS. It sounds like if there's no SAT then they can't do it. Correct?

His Explore scores don't make the cut either.

Your son can be a HEROES member as long as he is a DYS, even without the SAT scores. There is a little check box to indicate that he is a DYS on the HEROES application online.