Promoting computer literacy through programming Python

Computer programming contributes an essential aspect to a well-rounded computer literacy, analogous to the role of writing in the domain of traditional print literacy. Many computer languages are unwieldy for rapid prototyping; however, the open-source Python language was designed to be easy for beginners to learn and is appropriate as a first computer language. This dissertation explores what considerations are most important in teaching Python as a first programming language in a secondary school setting.; The data examined was three years worth of messages publicly posted to the online Python edu-sig newsgroup. These messages were filtered to obtain only those that were contained in meaningful threads; that is, threads of mean length or longer containing a mean number or more of unique posters. The filtered threads were then categorized by (a) subject header and (b) phrases identified by an automated keyword algorithm, and further reduced by choosing categories most germane to this dissertation's topic. The selected threads were then subjected to a qualitative content analysis.; The data revealed numerous issues that teachers who may want to incorporate programming into their classroom may need to deal with, including, whether to establish a standalone programming class or integrate programming exercises with other subjects; the importance of establishing programming teams and involving the students' interests; how to present both procedural and object-oriented programming styles; differences in mathematical notation compared with traditional classes; encouraging a healthy programming aesthetic; and teaching algorithmic thinking.; Three major conclusions were derived from the results: (a) computer programming is a bona fide form of writing that combines well-formed arguments with good stories, and is central to a complete mastery of computer literacy; (b) learning to program enables programming to learn; that is, the major purpose of learning computer programming in school settings is to develop the means of using programming to promote learning in other subject areas; and (c) computer programming fosters a variety of executable notations that alters what is worth knowing in other subject areas.