[reuven]

> I don't think web development is the hard thing to teach as much as problem solving well.

True, but there's a lot to be said for having first-time programmers (and especially college students) do Web development. It's a familiar environment, which means that they'll know that they're doing something relevant and practical, rather than abstract. They'll be excited to see that they can create Web sites and applications, just like "real" programmers with more experience.

Part of the fun of programming is the immediate feedback that you get from your work. Nowadays, making that immediate feedback happen in a Web browser strikes me as a smart way to go if you're going to get them hooked.

[j45]

I don't disagree with what you've said in any way.

Programming is simply clear step by step thinking to make something happen. Focusing too much on the syntax and strategies in the beginning can be a distraction from the raw and immediate feedback from your work.