# Introduction to Programming during School Closures

**URL:** <https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653>\
**Category:** Teaching\
**Created:** [March 14, 2020, 2:50pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653 "2020-03-14T14:50:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 13\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@jclem](https://discourse.processing.org/u/jclem)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 2:50pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/1 "2020-03-14T14:50:29Z")

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I would like to use Processing to introduce my three teenagers to programming as they go through a prolonged period of on-line school due to COVID-19. My children are relatively lucky because they will continue on-line. Most public schools have no on-line option.

I look forward to learning along with them.

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**Author:** ![kfrajer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/kfrajer/32/196_2.png) [@kfrajer](https://discourse.processing.org/u/kfrajer)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 4:15pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/2 "2020-03-14T16:15:05Z")

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Do you need assistance? Are you looking for guidance? It is not clear in your post.

Anyhow, I suggest star by exploring [examples](https://processing.org/examples/) and [tutorials](https://processing.org/tutorials/) for strick programming in Java, or if you want to explore programming on the web, [p5.js](https://p5js.org/examples/).

Kf

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**Author:** ![mcintyre](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/mcintyre/32/14561_2.png) [@mcintyre](https://discourse.processing.org/u/mcintyre)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/3 "2020-03-14T16:50:01Z")

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Great idea! Hope y’all have fun learning to code together.

I’ll echo @kfrajer’s recommendation to check out the project websites. Processing (based on the [Java](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_(programming_language)) language) and p5.js (based on the [JavaScript](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/javascript) language) are sister projects with much overlap by design; you won’t go wrong starting with either.

That said, consider downloading Processing and hopping on [The Coding Train](https://www.youtube.com/user/shiffman/playlists?view=50&sort=dd&shelf_id=2). The video tutorials are an engaging, comprehensive introduction to programming.

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**Author:** ![glv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/glv/32/18785_2.png) [@glv](https://discourse.processing.org/u/glv)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/4 "2020-03-14T16:50:57Z")

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Hello,

There numerous resources out there.  
Find one that works best for you.

A good place to start:  
[https://processing.org/](https://processing.org/)  
[https://thecodingtrain.com/](https://thecodingtrain.com/)

And a couple to get you started:  
[https://funprogramming.org/](https://funprogramming.org/)  
[Happy Coding Processing Tutorials](https://happycoding.io/tutorials/processing/)

`:)`

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**Author:** ![debxyz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@debxyz](https://discourse.processing.org/u/debxyz)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 4:57pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/5 "2020-03-14T16:57:29Z")

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Also consider Khan Academy’s Into to Programming, which teaches p5.js.  
Step-by-by modules, a very good foundation to build off from. Geared toward a student audience. However, I found them very helpful and enjoyable to watch as an adult.  
Link below:

> **[Intro to JS: Drawing & Animation | Computer programming | Khan Academy](https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming/programming)**
>
> Learn how to use the JavaScript language and the ProcessingJS library to create fun drawings and animations.

Once you’ve made it through the Intro course, there’s also an advanced one…

🤓 🧐 😀

And,  
[https://www.openprocessing.org](https://www.openprocessing.org)  
Here you each can sign up for a free account if you want to share what you are doing with others…

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**Author:** ![GoToLoop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/gotoloop/32/86_2.png) [@GoToLoop](https://discourse.processing.org/u/GoToLoop)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 5:04pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/6 "2020-03-14T17:04:11Z")

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> [@debxyz](#):
>
> , which teaches p5.js.

It’s based on a Processing.js (Pjs) fork instead: 🍴

- [Intro to JS: Drawing & Animation | Khan Academy](http://KhanAcademy.org/computing/computer-programming/programming#concept-intro)

> Learn how to use the JavaScript language and the ProcessingJS library to create fun drawings and animations.

Which follows Processing’s Java Mode API much more faithfully than p5js: 🤓  
[ProcessingJS.org/reference](http://ProcessingJS.org/reference)

And indeed, for the absolute beginner, it’s the best Processing + JS course IMO. 🥇

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**Author:** ![debxyz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/58956e/32.png) [@debxyz](https://discourse.processing.org/u/debxyz)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 5:07pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/7 "2020-03-14T17:07:41Z")

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Ah. Thanks @GoToLoop. Still a coding neophyte myself…  
I have so much to learn!  
🤓 🤓 🤓

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**Author:** ![GoToLoop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/gotoloop/32/86_2.png) [@GoToLoop](https://discourse.processing.org/u/GoToLoop)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 5:13pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/8 "2020-03-14T17:13:23Z")

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Here’s another online course; but this time p5js based: 😉

> [@Draw with code - Type-in JavaScript programs for young learners](https://discourse.processing.org/t/draw-with-code-type-in-javascript-programs-for-young-learners/18484):
>
> Hi Processing community, Processing API is such a great educational tool for helping beginners and young people learn to code. Sometimes I compare the processing API with the programming platforms the computers from the 80’s used to offer. Back in those days they were plenty of books and magazines with type-in programs. People used to learn coding by typing in code listings. I believe the type-in programs can make a come back - due to processing API. Please see the following example of type-…

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**Author:** ![glv](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/glv/32/18785_2.png) [@glv](https://discourse.processing.org/u/glv)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/9 "2020-03-14T17:16:37Z")

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> [@debxyz](#):
>
> Khan Academy’s Into to Programming, which teaches p5.js.

The Khan Academy states:

> Learn how to use the JavaScript language and the ProcessingJS library to create fun.

[Processing.js](http://processingjs.org/) is different from [p5.js](https://p5js.org/).

The Khan website has a link to [official ProcessingJS library](https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming/programming-games-visualizations/advanced-development-tools/a/using-processingjs-outside-khan-academy) (which is Processing.js):

> **[Using ProcessingJS outside Khan Academy (article) | Khan Academy](https://www.khanacademy.org/computing/computer-programming/programming-games-visualizations/advanced-development-tools/a/using-processingjs-outside-khan-academy)**
>
> Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more. Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission of providing a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere.

`:)`

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df705f/32.png) [@jclem](https://discourse.processing.org/u/jclem)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 5:56pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/10 "2020-03-14T17:56:40Z")

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I did not know what question to ask. These responses have been very helpful.

My thought is to work with p5.js as a start.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kfrajer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/discourse.processing.org/kfrajer/32/196_2.png) [@kfrajer](https://discourse.processing.org/u/kfrajer)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 6:21pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/11 "2020-03-14T18:21:53Z")

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With p5.js, I personally recommend you (and your kids) review an intro module (any really) to html and javascript but not mandatory. You can stick to resources in [p5js.org](http://p5js.org) website otherwise, _specifically how to get started_. You can also use the [https://editor.p5js.org](https://editor.p5js.org) and you do not need to worry about the html details.

Kf

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**Author:** ![paulgoux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@paulgoux](https://discourse.processing.org/u/paulgoux)\
**Post date:** [March 14, 2020, 11:03pm UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/12 "2020-03-14T23:03:57Z")

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Also would recommend coding train and for other inspiration coding adventure

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**Author:** ![ak030](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c2a13f/32.png) [@ak030](https://discourse.processing.org/u/ak030)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2020, 5:33am UTC](https://discourse.processing.org/t/introduction-to-programming-during-school-closures/18653/13 "2020-03-17T05:33:33Z")

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Hey,  
if they are programming beginners, they could start with our P5 “Hour of Code” that is based on a beginner friendly P5-Blockly editor. When they are familiar with the basic programming concepts, they can transition to a text based editor directly from our app. You find our online course here - [https://app.code-it-studio.de/course/step/12/118](https://app.code-it-studio.de/course/step/12/118)  
Best