[Hidden-tech] Help me rewrite an old Programming / Web Development Curriculum? CMS, Language, Frameworks

[Rich Roth]

Don's comments are good - it is a Voc HS so immediate jobs is a pretty 
good goal, with some overall introduction to concepts would be a good 
goal, also don''t know how long a course you are talking about -- one 
class or a semester of courses.

Given that, I'd recommend:
- Javascript using HTML5 concepts within the browser
   - (which includes the built-in NoSQL database)
   - can introduce classes and libraries

- Database - SQLite -- can do basic SQL introduction without requiring 
major server details

- Server side programming,  Node.js

You can introduce all programming concepts with these tools

IF the course is moving into more professional programming:
    - then move into Python (personally hate the indent syntax) however 
that teaches flexibility with programming
and a very common professional tool, with libraries and repositories.

If the web is the key direction, then Wordpress and PHP to write plugins 
might be interesting, it introduces APIs programming also.

As for ORM/Framework - I think that is for a next level course, not 
really Voc school material unless an advanced group that already knows 
programming - that you might well have in today's HS world.

You might consider how boxes like Raspberry Pi fit into this -- since I 
know HS kids with both those and 3d printers at home.
Check out groups like Holyoke Codes -- their audience might well be who 
you are getting.

Hope helpful and good luck
Rich


On 9/10/2017 8:59 PM, Donald M Stevens wrote:
>
> Good Evening Bram,
>
> I have a few questions…
>
> Are you trying to teach them something that will get them a job, when 
> they graduate?
>
> Or Are you trying to expose them to all the different technologies 
> that out there, and they will take further training once they graduate?
>
> Are you trying to help them “pass the test” as part of your goal?
>
> I assume there are some “required” teachings you need to provide for 
> the course itself?
>
> I teach students that want to get into the field, but they are looking 
> at all areas. I don’t know much about Java, Php or web development to 
> be able to help you out with what to teach.
>
> One suggestion might be a little background on computers, hardware, 
> networking, some history or advice on what is out there today. Give 
> them an idea of just why or how this programming or scripting 
> interacts with other systems. Understanding the rest of the systems, 
> at least a little, help you become better at the area you specialize in.
>
> Hope this helps some?
>
> Feel free to reach out if you would like to talk sometime.
>
> Thanks,
>
> don
>
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>
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> *From:*hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net 
> [mailto:hidden-discuss-bounces at lists.hidden-tech.net] *On Behalf Of 
> *Bram Moreinis
> *Sent:* Sunday, September 10, 2017 7:06 PM
> *To:* Paul Bissex <paul at bissex.net>; Hidden-Tech Listserv 
> <hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net>
> *Subject:* [Hidden-tech] Help me rewrite an old Programming / Web 
> Development Curriculum? CMS, Language, Frameworks
>
> Hi, Folks.
>
> I just got a job teaching Programming and Web Development at 
> Pathfinder Vocational Technical High School in Palmer.  I love the 
> kids and it's wonderful.
>
> I need to immediately re-do the old curriculum, however. They were 
> learning Dreamweaver DHTML (so some Javascript). They learned no 
> databases. They developed project websites with Adobe Muse (the 
> Anti-Coder web tool). And they can't afford Dreamweaver when they 
> leave school, so all of this was dead-end.
>
> There are three types of students: those who want to be web 
> developers, those who want to be coders, and those who like computers 
> and want to learn more.  They are at all different levels ... so I 
> have to balance what would best set them up to be coders (few will be) 
> with what will best get them doing SOMETHING.
>
> The AP Computer Science test is in Java. Last year ONE student out of 
> 10 seemed ready to take it after learning it from a textbook (said the 
> teacher who left).  The others tried to learn from textbooks and 
> failed.  Obviously Java is quite valid to learn ... but what entry 
> level work in Java can they find?  And how to connect it to web 
> development?
>
> Obviously they need to learn together, from a teacher (supplemented by 
> online courses like Udacity) - not from textbooks.  I need a coherent, 
> cumulative curriculum that goes deep into coding, and addresses both 
> the back end and the front end. Ideally we also learn a CMS so 
> everyone can make SOME kind of website without Dreamweaver.
>
> I think I need to teach them:
>
>   * a server-side coding language - either PHP (because Wordpress),
>     Node.js (because Javascript), Java (because AP Computer Science)
>     or Python (because Python)
>   * a database to connect the language to - MySQL (because Wordpress)
>     or PostgreSQL (because Python)
>   * an associated framework to get comfy with - Symfony (because
>     Drupal and Laravel), etc.
>   * a CMS to get them started - Wordpress (because jobs) ...
>
> What is my best grouping of the four?
>
>  1. *PHP / MySQL / Symfony / Wordpress:* enough PHP to make templates
>     and theme files. Many folks want to hire Wordpress developers. But
>     Codecademy says PHP is so unpopular now that they won't update
>     their course in it.  I can't find anything on the web about what
>     php framework Wordpress was developed from, but
>     http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/best-php-frameworks
>     <http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/best-php-frameworks> says Drupal
>     used components from Symfony, and that Laravel is based on Symfony.
>  2. *Java / MySQL / SpringMVC / dotCMS*: only two dotCMS developer
>     jobs on Glassdoor makes me think that won't help them get jobs...
>     but maybe that doesn't matter.  SpringMVC seems to be the most
>     popular Java framework.
>  3. *NodeJS / MySQL / Meteor / [Apostrophe]: *nobody is looking for
>     Apostrophe.  But since we're parlaying Javascript into Node.js and
>     everyone wants to hire mobile app developers, maybe I should push
>     them and leap off the Wordpress bandwagon, leaving Apostrophe for
>     students who can't hack the coding?   Meteor seems to be the most
>     popular Node.js framework.
>  4. *Python / PostgreSQL / Django / Wagtail*: The problem is that none
>     of these connect to the Javascript or Java that we know have to be
>     part of the course, and that unlike Wordpress, Wagtail is not a
>     way to get jobs.
>
> It's better if they know how to do SOMETHING well than how to do many 
> things poorly. What would you advise?
>
> Please vote -- and if you have time to explain why, do!
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Bram
>
> -- 
>
> Martin Bram Moreinis, Designer/Developer
> http://myinstructionaldesigns.com
> (413) 829-0355
>
>
>
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