I'm kinda' researching this question for my MSc e-Learning technology, so I've got a lot to say on the matter, but I'll try and keep this brief.
We need the CompSci equivalent of Meccano sets for kids to tinker with. Something that's easy to just pick up and start playing with, gives instant feedback, and equips them with the skills to go and play with bigger and better toys.
The guys at Khan Academy understand this well, and they've built something pretty slick. <https://www.khanacademy.org/cs/browse-programs> I guess you could describe it as a cross between processing.js and JSFiddle, with a showcase for interesting new projects.
From my limited interactions with the system, I'd say it's already pretty good, but to be great they need to figure out how to make peer-teaching work better. Also, I think they would benefit from an even more accessible "just pick it up and play with it mode", rather than insisting that the kids sit through tutorial videos before they can do anything.
We need the CompSci equivalent of Meccano sets for kids to tinker with. Something that's easy to just pick up and start playing with, gives instant feedback, and equips them with the skills to go and play with bigger and better toys.
The guys at Khan Academy understand this well, and they've built something pretty slick. <https://www.khanacademy.org/cs/browse-programs> I guess you could describe it as a cross between processing.js and JSFiddle, with a showcase for interesting new projects.
From my limited interactions with the system, I'd say it's already pretty good, but to be great they need to figure out how to make peer-teaching work better. Also, I think they would benefit from an even more accessible "just pick it up and play with it mode", rather than insisting that the kids sit through tutorial videos before they can do anything.