[Edu-sig] For classroom use...
Vern Ceder
vceder at canterburyschool.org
Fri Feb 9 21:28:52 CET 2007
Thanks, that does answer my question.
For my part, I've also taken to giving an exit survey every time I teach
Python, whether to 8th and 9th graders or to teachers. While not really
scientific, I've found it very useful in refining approaches.
Cheers,
Vern
kirby urner wrote:
> On 2/9/07, *Vern Ceder* <vceder at canterburyschool.org
> <mailto:vceder at canterburyschool.org>> wrote:
>
> kirby urner wrote:
> >
> > Here's some field tested code
>
> I guess I'm kind of curious as to what you mean by "field tested". The
> 'field' part I get, of course. But "tested" how? Or I guess I mean "what
> was the test, and how were the results judged?", if that makes sense...
>
>
> Fair question. In this case of coupler.py, my field tester is a
> welder-geometer in New Zealand who got it working and then
> came back with a VRML world on the same subject.
>
> He's studying Python on his own, using Zelle's book, which
> just arrived.
>
> Here're a couple of recent exchanges from a public archive
> on Yahoo!:
>
> ====
>
> > Yes, stickworks.py and coupler.py should both go in site-packages,
> > but then VPython needs to be installed as well. All you get from
> > Coupler at the moment is a red and green network of edges,
> > centered around the XYZ origin, the axes in blue.
> >
> > Kirby
> >
>
>
> Hi Kirby:
> I have Vpython and with stickworks.py was able to run coupler.py.
> I did a SpringDAnce VRML of 8 mites with each corner on a cube
> grid.
>
> http://members.westnet.com.au/dharmraj/vrml/KmiteCube.wrl
>
> dharmraj
>
> ---
>
> Re: Drafting another storyboard
>
>
>
>
> Kirby
> > That's trully excellent. So that's a Coupler then, what you did.
>
> I was hoping you would like it. I thought a visual model of what
> you were programming would help
>
>
> >
> > Each MITE is two blue-yellow arms holding a purple, green spine.
>
>
> true
>
> > Same volume as a tetrahedron, inscribed as face diags of that green
> > 2-frequency cube.
>
> true
>
>
> > What you may have done already (if so, please link?) or might
> > want to do, is said 8 mites each subdivided into two As (left
> > and right) plus one B (left or right).
>
> is this what you mean?
>
> http://members.westnet.com.au/dharmraj/vrml/coupler.wrl
>
>
> my new Python book arrived...Python Programming (an introduction
> to Computer Science) by John Zelle...
>
> cheers,
> sw dharmraj
>
>
> ---
>
> > is this what you mean?
> >
> > http://members.westnet.com.au/dharmraj/vrml/coupler.wrl
> >
>
> Yes, exactly! I'll add that as a link as well, to coupler.py
>
> >
> > my new Python book arrived...Python Programming (an introduction
> > to Computer Science) by John Zelle...
> >
> > cheers,
> > sw dharmraj
> >
>
> That's probably the best published book for starting out with
> Python. Later, maybe check the free online Dive Into Python
> tutorial, also published by Apress if you want hardcopy.
>
> http://www.diveintopython.org/ <http://www.diveintopython.org/>
>
> Kirby
>
>
> BTW, I'm not questioning the use VPython by any means - I think its got
> great potential as a way to explore programming.
>
> Cheers,
> Vern
>
>
> Yes, and to explore geometry, like Arthur was doing with Pygeo.
>
> As far as measuring student success, it's what they're able to code
> themselves, using pre-existing code as a basis, that I go by. Each student
> has Python + VPython + various modules. They save code from week
> to week and gradually build up a portfolio. They show off their creations
> when the parents come to pick them up. I asked one of my students to
> send me his source code for the 3-frequency tetrahedron but he never
> did.
>
> The class itself is written up in my blog, complete with digicam shots
> of some of the whiteboard content. I'm able to fish up some of that
> content with the following query:
>
> http://worldgame.blogspot.com/search?q=%22saturday+academy%22
>
> You'll find at least one of my worksheets (PDF) used with 8th graders in
> public
> school here:
>
> http://www.4dsolutions.net/ocn/winterhaven/
>
> But I don't publish actual student responses, which would be a clearer
> measure of their level of comprehension.
>
> Kirby
>
>
>
--
This time for sure!
-Bullwinkle J. Moose
-----------------------------
Vern Ceder, Director of Technology
Canterbury School, 3210 Smith Road, Ft Wayne, IN 46804
vceder at canterburyschool.org; 260-436-0746; FAX: 260-436-5137
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