On Sun, 23 Oct 2005, Omer Zak wrote:
> 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 question is not whether _you_ have an issue. the question is whether
you think _they_ will have an issue with this. if you do - speak now, or
remain silent until the post-mortem we'll hold next summer ;)
> > 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.
i already have some of the games written (how do you think i learned
python ;) i won't teach something i don't like to do - how could i tell
them it's fun, and mean it, otherwise?). i will consider which of them to
demonstrate (don't want to spoil everything).
> > > 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? withthe
> > 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?
1. it'll take too long to look for such cooperation, so i don't see how
we'll be doing it _this_ year.
2. if this year will go well, next year we'll teach them C. it'll be
possible to introduce robotics next year, then, if we manage to get robots
from somewhere.
3. you still did not solve the issue with funding. you have an estimate on
how much it'll cost buying, say, 15 kits? including having to buy spare
parts, because in such situations, things tend to break during the year.
4. the kids have no time to yet another course - they have hard time
keeping up with school work, plus quite a few seem to have various other
afternoon activities ("Hoogim", cisco's "Neta" program, etc.).
> 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.)
easy to implement? will you help us actually _implement_ them? we're a bit
short of manpower to do this.
for example - can you check what options exist in this direction, where
they can be purchased in israel, for how much? and how to get info about
controlling them via a PC?
--
guy
"For world domination - press 1,
or dial 0, and please hold, for the creator." -- nob o. dy
