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?