Teaching Ruby Helping Jake and Jane learn to program Bruce Scharlau

Jake and Jane want to learn to program computers

Jake has a game in mind, Jane wants the basics

Is it better to teach programming wrapped around a game, or not?

Games need to focus on the basics

Teach the basics using game concepts to aid learning

Teach the basics with emphasis on games

Jake wants to realize his idea

Jake has an idea for web based game

Scratch and Greenfoot dont help

RailsBridge points the way

Focusing on the game will motivate him

Build up Jakes learning based on game needs

Learn whats needed as a problem solving skill

See each step in context of the game

Use game features to guide learning

Shoes is lightweight and easy to start

Shoes is not always easy to follow

What if we teach programming concepts with game examples?

Jane wants to learn to program

The Teaching Children site helps

Chris Pines learn to program is useful

Hello World! Is great, but python based

Jane is interested in coding

Jane wants to master the concepts

Jane wants the general CS degree

Jane has no specific plans for her need

Jane can be guided by general concepts

The number of ruby books grows Others being done as we speak …

Most ruby learning books assume programming knowledge These are not the books youre looking for…

Jake and Jane need process to be more fun

We need a compromise between the two

Maybe we need hello world in ruby and redfoot for ruby objects

Jakes fixed idea is useful for focus

Games provide program interaction

Console apps cause problems but are needed for interaction

Console apps are also ugly

Shoes and similar GUI tools help, but can be challenging for beginners

Plenty of effort underway to provide beginner learning experiences using Sinatra for Zork type game Sarah Allen has a lot of useful examples and ideas

Games provide the x to do y aspect

Games force need and curiosity helps

Games also introduce logic and flow

Games also bring in visual aspects, which might not be needed

Is is better to have a reason for learning, or just learn games?

Build up Jakes learning based on game needs

Teach Jane programming using games seems better

Use games to realise their potential

All images provided by Niall Benvie at

Learn the basics wrapped around games Bruce Scharlau University of Aberdeen