I just finished using RUR-PLE to introduce programming for probably the
10th time, and I still feel that it's just about ideal as a starting
point for Python. If you haven't looked at it, I highly recommend
giving it a try.
Every time I teach it, I mean to send Andre an email saying "you know,
we can just drop this turn_off() thing", but I never remember. I can't
think of any programming concept that turn_off() teaches, and there are
always a few kids who confuse it with return.
Cheers,
Andy
Karel the robot introduced by Pattis in 1981 included a turnoff
instruction. Since then, every clone seems to include that instruction as
well.
I have never seen a pedagogical reason given for including the turnoff
instruction. I have yet to see a good example where the use of that
instruction is required...
Karel the robot is used as a mini-language to introduce programming
concepts. An alternative visual environment is provided by turtle
graphics. When I look at turtle graphics, there is no turnoff instruction
...
As I am working on a new rur-ple version, I was wondering if it would not be
preferable to simply drop the turnoff [turn_off() in rur-ple] instruction.
If you use GvR or rur-ple or any other Karel like environment to teach
programming concepts, or if you have used such an environment when you
started learning yourself, I would definitely be interested in hearing your
opinion.
Cheers,
Andr?
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