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"Scratch is a visual programming environment that allows students to easily learn the constructs of computer programming that the environment provides. It comes with an extensive library of programs that can be deconstructed to allow the relativly rapid uptake of a basic understanding of programming."

Interesting programming outline by Mike from ECAWA, Western Australia.

"Easily incorporate computational thinking into your curriculum with these classroom-ready lessons, examples, and programs. For more resources, including discussion forums and news, visit our ECT Discussion Forums, Lessons include complete teacher editions, student worksheets, and any applicable Python programs. Examples include short exercises from core subjects with key CT concepts to consider. Programs include Python examples and exercises for teachers to enhance their existing lessons. All lessons, examples, and programs are based on California K-12 state standards."

Interesting collection of Python programming lessons shared here by Google.

"Scratch is often cited as one of the best introductory languages for teaching kids - or anyone, really - to code. So it's no surprise that a Rutgers University honors class called "Programming for the Masses" would utilize Scratch as part of its goal of making programming a more accessible, everyday skill. What is unique - and if I may say so, pretty fun - is the direction that a research project, an outgrowth of the class, has taken since. The project is called Scratchable Devices, and with it, computer science Professor Michael Littman and some of his students are working to make it easy for anyone to program their household devices by using Scratch."

"the goals of a programming system should be: to support and encourage powerful ways of thinking, to enable programmers to see and understand the execution of their programs. A live-coding Processing environment addresses neither of these goals. JavaScript and Processing are poorly-designed languages that support weak ways of thinking, and ignore decades of learning about learning. And live coding, as a standalone feature, is worthless.

Plans for a pilot scheme to connect teachers in the UK who want to learn how to program with experienced practitioners who can coach them are starting to take shape. The ultimate goal is to give every child in the UK a chance to try their hand at computer programming ..

The book has been out of print for a while, but now here it is. The programs are written in Atari Logo by a collection of Logo enthusiasts who hung out at the Atari Cambridge Research Lab. Except for the animation projects most of the programs will run in current versions of Logo. The book is divided into six sections: Wordplay Stories Games Turtle Geometry Music Programming Ideas

"Building programming capacities through coding mini-challenges"

"This collection contains selected historically important software packages from the Internet Archive's software archives. Through the use of in-browser emulators, it is possible to try out these items and experiment with using them, without the additional burdens of installing emulator software or tracking down the programs. Many of these software products were the first of their kind, or utilized features and approaches that have been copied or recreated on many programs since. (historic software, vintage software, antique software)"

"Free Software for Schools is a catalogue of open source computer programs for teaching and learning. The catalog is organised by the following categories, and contains an index that lists the name of each program listed."

Good catalgue of educational software, much of it free to download and share.

"Computational thinking (CT) involves a set of problem-solving skills and techniques that software engineers use to write programs that underlay the computer applications you use such as search, email, and maps. Below is a list of specific techniques along with real world examples from our every day lives. "

Some great programming challenges that can be used to stimulate learning and thinking.

While the Lewisville school district still restricts regular cellphone use in the classroom, the policy is being loosened to allow the program to be used by the school's teachers when they feel that technology would enhance learning.

Learning a new programming language always is fun and there are many great books legally available for free online. Here's a selection of 30 of them:

"Create your own apps and utilities using LiveCode Community Edition. This full featured programming environment allows you to create open source apps for all major platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and Server. Download it completely free and start making your ideas come to life. "

The current programme of information and communications technology (ICT) study in England's schools will be scrapped from September, the education secretary has announced. It will be replaced by an "open source" curriculum in computer science and programming designed with the help of universities and industry.

"This is a generic version of a class "Computer Programming for Information Management" that I taught twice a year at the School of Library and Information Science, Indiana University Bloomington. The materials in this course are mostly self-explanatory and can be used for self study."

"Here we'll slowly but surely present our small team's effort to preserve, study, and document historic computers .. Have you ever wondered how the chips inside your computer work? How they process information and run programs? Are you maybe a bit let down by the low resolution of chip photographs on the web or by complex diagrams that reveal very little about how circuits work?"

Fascinating computer history project.

"Scratch takes all of the essential programming constructs like sequencing, conditional branching, control structures, data manipulations, etc, and wraps them in a very friendly, very easy to use environment that even the youngest students can use with just a little knowledge.  It's quite intuitive to learn and you can do simple things fairly easily, yet there is really no limit as to how far you take it."  

"The Cisco Binary Game is the best way to learn and practice the binary number system. It is great for classes, students and teachers in science, math, digital electronics, computers, programming, logic and networking. It is also a LOT of fun to play for anyone who likes to play fast-paced arcade games."

Tutorial on how to install python. One of many tutorials to come

How to create a basic frame, aka window, in wxPython.