Tomaž Kušar, Osnovna šola Mokronog

The first sentence of each software-manual usually starts by printing a »Hello, world«. If we continue with the programming step by step, as dictated by the manual, we get acquainted with the basics. Applications, through which we learn the basics of programming, may on one hand, be of interest to someone, but also extremely boring for another. But programming can become interesting for everyone.

Students who are talented in technical field are not neccessarily impressed by programming. Usually they like using modern high-tech electronic devices such as their mobile phones or tablet computers. Moreover, they also like to research all the applications and learn about all the benefits that such devices offer.

This paper presents a simple example project from electronics through which a beginner can finally learn the basics of programming while at the same time create an interesting and useful device or application using a microcontroller and a phone. In continuation some forms of learning of programming in simple and freely-available software environments are presented. We conclude with pupils’ response on this way of teaching programming.