Refreshed ICT Syllabus: Programming Tools?

[Gongalong]

(X-posted in Coding also, but it doesn't appear to be a very busy forum)

 

Hi folks,

 

As is no doubt the case with other schools, our ICT teaching department are looking at what development tools to use for the new "Computing" subject.

 

We already use a number of development tools, despite what Gove thinks, such as Game Maker, Visual C++, Scratch, YouSrc and Visual Basic. These have all more or less played nicely with our RM Ranger restricted system with the exception of YouSrc, where we've had various unsolved issues with Java.

 

ICT are now looking at other tools such as MIT App Inventor, Build Your Own Blocks, and Python. I have tried App Inventor but hit an issue with the Block Editor which seems to be blocked by our firewall (being researched), and with Python I am struggling to find a straightforward Windows install with a UI (I've had a mix of suggestions from friends). If anyone has any suggestions about App Inventor and Python they'd be gratefully received!

 

Anyway, I though it best to turn the question on its head and find out what other schools are using in the typically restricted environments that aren't very amenable to running programming software? I understand the new Computing subjects requires both object and scripted programming, for lack of a better description.

 

In short, what are you using, or planning to use?

 

TIA

[Sunnyknight]

Python and Pyscripter go hand in hand and as such, no issues distributing across our system? What errors do you get?

[bossman]

@Gongalong:

 

Have you tried creating a sandbox from VirtualBox and creating different VM's aligned to student users so they can script using all different programming tools without harming your network and the beauty of this is that VirtualBox is free so all it costs is your time.

 

You could also script the startup of the VM's to map the users home folder so they can exchange files from the sandbox to their home folder so they can save their work but only run it from their VM sessions.

 

Nifty and it works a treat!

[free780]

Just hope no one brings a nasty vm on a pen drive.

[CyberNerd]

Our list of programmes for our virtual machines is as follows.

 

python 2.7 + 3.3

Eclipse

BlueJ

app inventor

scratch

aptana

java development kit

canopy

pyscripter

[dhicks]

If anyone has any suggestions about App Inventor and Python they'd be gratefully received!

 

On Windows, I generally use ActiveState Python - comes as a nice MSI, hasn't caused any problems. I generally also install the Python Image Library (PIL) - it's always nice to be able to write a little bit of code and get a result you can see right away.

[rama1712]

How have you done the VM machines we are cc4 and are looking at doing this I know RM have got a blue print for Virtual BOx but it £50.00 and at moment School has put a stop on all ordering till new accounts open in september. so looking at alternatives.

 

We have 2008 r2 64 bit servers and windows 7 cc4 workstations need to run what you have on about 40-45 machines.

 

Thanks Stuart

[bossman]

@free780:

 

Well they can bring in as many nasty VM's as they like, they still wouldn't be able to run them haha!

 

All fastened down tight as a drum using RMCC4 which is a useful tool and has been for the past 12 years.

 

Have been toying with the idea of building a virtual 2012 vanilla network with windows 8.1 clients using our Xenserver pool but have'nt had the time yet to implement.

 

Looking forward to using as our CPD server and then implementing as network OS if it fits the schools criteria.

 

Happy Hunting!