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There are plenty of algorithms you can learn without a computer too, and carry out on paper.
I have no idea what kind of things are allowed in prisons - would a microcontroller running a simple interpreter coupled with a small LCD and keypad be allowed? If so, something like that would be really great for applying programming concepts.
1) Edovo is a tablet learning solution that is in many jails (https://edovo.com/)
2) Another group The Last Mile, while they got their start in San Quentin, is working to bring their program/model to more prisons. https://thelastmile.org/
Regardless, I would encourage reaching out to either program to explore their options further. The people behind each are incredibly helpful and may be able to assist you with additional details.
I used to write BASIC programs on paper as a child before I had access to a computer. There are plenty of algorithms you can learn without a computer too, and carry out on paper. I have no idea what kind of things are allowed in prisons - would a microcontroller running a simple interpreter coupled with a small LCD and keypad be allowed? If so, something like that would be really great for applying programming concep…
What is the most capable programmable device, that would not be considered a computer by the rules? How about a graphical calculator like a TI-83? While I was stuck in school and did not have access to a computer, I wanted to challenge myself during classes. The most interesting distraction by far was to play around with the programming functions of my TI-82 calculator that was required for math classes. Even with al…
In this context, the 83 is an awful, awful choice, because TI-83 programs only allow for variable names to be one character long. I was lucky, when someone asked me to copy my TI-85 blackjack program into their TI-83, that I had used less than 28 variables.
I came across CS unplugged a while ago. Looks like it might be useful http://csunplugged.org/
And it's just a book, and all exercises in it can (and should) be done with no computer.
Once he works through this, send him a copy of SICP: https://mitpress.mit.edu/sicp/ Covers some of the same material at a much higher level, and more.
I'm 'fighting' ('working' is a better definition) for civil rights in my city, so I think I will be incarcerated in the future...
I think I will organize a 'paper' version of Scratch, with me as an interpreter of lines of code.
edit: I'll miss Stallman's videos...
Me :) I'm 'fighting' ('working' is a better definition) for civil rights in my city, so I think I will be incarcerated in the future... I think I will organize a 'paper' version of Scratch, with me as an interpreter of lines of code. edit: I'll miss Stallman's videos...
I'd recommend he read the "structure and interpretation of computer programs". It's written for audience who would, at the time, have found programming novel, but would be at home with math. Hence it's written in a language that allows you to expand out the program by pencil and paper, much the same way you would simplify an equation, to see if it works. Also the following books, which I've copied and pasted from som…
[1] http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/matthias/HtDP2e/index.html [2] https://docs.racket-lang.org/racket-cheat/index.html