Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Recommended Resources On-line computer programming class?

Has anyone had a good experience with an on-line computer programming class (preferably java)? I would like a class/tutor structured program rather than a learn on your own like Khan Academy. Thanks!

You could try CodeAcademy http://www.codecademy.com/, but they don't have Java. They do teach Python witch depending on what you want your child to learn is a good first language. With Python one can learn to programming faster without the need to learn quite so many of the tedious details. Depends on what they want to do with the language.

We haven't had a lot of success with codecademy.com unfortunately... specially the Java Script lessons but I agree Python is a great language choice.

Hoping someone will have some additional course suggestions :-)

We're using CodeAcademy and Youth Digital. My daughter really enjoys Youth Digital, but it's focused on learning to make or modify games rather than straight programming.

I have not looked at it yet but this one was recommended to me: http://code.org/

My son didn't like code academy 2 years ago, but he's trying it again now and really likes it.

Next, we're thinking about this:
https://www.udacity.com/course/cs046

I think my 9yo had a good experience with the Art of Problem Solving introductory programming course

http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/School/courseinfo.php?course_id=cs:intro

, which used Python. The later problem sets involving object-oriented programming were too difficult for him, but he paid attention to the weekly lectures in the virtual classroom throughout the course. Now, about a year later, he is avidly programming in Python.

I had been under the impression that this class was particularly difficult. However, when I look now, there is both an intro class and an intermediate class - did they change things? I'm trying to figure out if the intro class would be do-able for my almost-11-year-old (who currently happens to be using the AoPS intro to algebra text). Or should we wait another year or so, considering the cost of the class? He is very interested in programming (heavily into Scratch) and Python seems like it would be the next step. Whether his interest is enough to motivate him to work very hard is an open question, though I might be willing to take the chance if he's willing to try it.

My son also did the AoPS Intro to Python course over the summer and it was difficult but he really liked it. He struggled with some of the homework and I was lucky enough to find a tutor to spend time with him. It turned out that the tutor did not follow the Python course too much but as he had taught kids before, he showed my son some interesting things. He also helped DS on homework sometimes.

Now when DS comes across a difficult math question he will oftentimes go try to write a Python code to find the answer also. He enjoys being able to program.

Thanks for all the responses….for the AoPS people…do those classes come with a tutor or resource at all or is it just a lecture and learn on your own? What happens if you can't make the lecture time?