As programmers, most of us on this list think mainly of programming as a tool for solving problems. Of course, that’s how it was born. The original use of the computer was to solve hard science problems. It was assumed that a couple dozen around the world would be sufficient.
But, besides learning how to become programmers there is another important use, particularly in education, and that is computer programming as a tooI for exploring. If you’re talking about early education, consideration should be given to Turtle Graphics. Yes, that again. Seymour Papert, a protege of Piaget, founded the MIT Media Lab. The lab was responsible for implementing LOGO (based on Lisp) and Tuttle Graphics designed for young children. As many of you know, I have long been an advocate of implementing TG in LC. It is a powerful tool for learning and exploring. Here, for example, is a book written by two MIT Math professors: Turtle Geometry, The Computer as Medium for Exploring Mathematics. MIT press, 1979. (The last chapter is titled: Curved Space and General Relativity.) Here are the chapter titles of a book I wrote some years back designed to allow students to explore the world of physics: Logo Physics, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1985 Chapter 1 Vectors Chapter 2 Equilibrium of forces Chapter 3 Free fall Chapter 4 Projectile motion and the CRT Chapter 5 Projectile motion II Chapter 6 The monkey, the hunter, and Einstein’s principle of equivalence Chapter 7 Escape velocity Chapter 8 Planetary Motion Chapter 9 The music of the spheres Chapter 10 Voyager II and lunar orbits Chapter 11 Jets, rockets, and conservation of momentum Chapter 12 The harmonic oscillator, clocks, rabbits, and foxes (predator-prey simulation) Chapter 13 The big bang Chapter 14 Radioactive decay Chapter 15 Bridges, catenaries, and the perfect arch Chapter 16 Fishes and optics Cheater 17 Rainbows If If we're talking about the “The Future of LiveCode in Education” we ought to consider programming as a tool for exploration. Jim _______________________________________________ use-livecode mailing list use-livecode@lists.runrev.com Please visit this url to subscribe, unsubscribe and manage your subscription preferences: http://lists.runrev.com/mailman/listinfo/use-livecode
