\abstract{This paper discusses the introduction
of new programming methodologies to computer science and practice.
Programming is ongoing deep evolution because the use of computers
is getting larger and wider.
As a consequence, programs are becoming more complex, dynamic,
and resource demanding.
This implies new methodologies to help decomposing large and complex
programs and running them efficiently onto new parallel machines.
{\em Object-oriented concurrent programming} (OOCP at short)
is one of the leading methodology to match these requirements.
It is based on the notion of active and autonomous entities
(named {\em objects}) which run concurrently and communicate
by exchanging {\em messages}.

This paper introduces the concepts of OOCP methodology
and discusses its advantages.
It also surveys current application fields and research issues.
We then focus on the issue of introducing and teaching OOCP.
We describe a platform which we designed in order to help
describing and experimenting with OOCP.
We finally discuss the experience of using this platform
for pedagogical purposes and experiments.
         }