On Sun, 2005-10-23 at 04:13 +0200, guy keren wrote:
> On Sat, 22 Oct 2005, Omer Zak wrote:
> > I would like to point out that the current state of art in computer
> > games is that it is not possible to write a cool (according to present
> > standards of coolness) game in an introductory programming course.
> > You'll then promise those children that they'll be able to write
> > computer games substantially like the ones they play at home.Then
> > they'll be disappointed.
>
> not necessarily. you are forgetting one major point - when you write
> something on your own, it looks way cooler then a game that is much more
> sophisticated, that you got for free, or for 200 shekels.
OK. I still have an issue with this, but this is issue of shades of
grey, not of black&white.
> the course layout will be unveiled to the pupils already when we begin the
> course - they'll not be surprised.
I am not sure they can set realistic expectations at the course's
beginning. Maybe at beginning, you can demonstrate to them games the
like of which they'll be able to write by themselves at course's end.
If they like the demos, the demos will whet their appetites.
If they dislike the demos, you can adjust the course appropriately.
> > How about something having to do with robots?With robots you still can
> > do pretty cool things after a short course.
>
> and who will buy me those robots? this is an almost zero-budget project -
> do you have an idea how i'm going to get robots for free? with the
> equipment used to control them via the parallel/serial port? can you help
> with getting them?
Lego kits?
Other robot kits?
Look for someone who will start an electronics club to run in parallel
with your Python course?
Does the school already have an electronics club (or even robotics club)
which can cooperate on robot projects?
Is there another school with robotics club which agrees to collaborate
with you?
The time is too short to do it this year, but please add the above ideas
to the TODO list for next year.
(I hope this time I made some constructive and easy-to-implement
suggestions.)
--- Omer
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