Re: LOGO-L> Requirements (was: dynamic programming projects andspeed of MicroWorlds)

["John St. Clair" <jstclair@cyberg8t.com>]

At 2:45 PM -0500 10/26/97, Chuck Shavit wrote:

>Surely MW and MSWLogo (and other "kids languages") have each their
>strengths and weaknesses.  This thread seems to expose them well indeed.
>For example, Jeff above mentions that particular tools (picture editors?
>Visual-Basic-like positioning of controls?) make MW a preferred medium in
>schools.  George mentioned a slew of MSWLogo capabilities like 3D, animated
>GIFs and many others.
>
>But I could not find a mention of the metric according to which the
>languages are being judged.  How does one judge whether a given feature in
>one of these environments makes that environment better suited for its use?
>
>Many of the contributors to this news group are educators.  My question to
>them is, what are you using Logo for, and what are your requirements from
>Logo (or any other language) to make it suitable for what you are using it?
>

My answer to Chuck's question is that I want software that allows the
student to be actively in control of the computer without too steep a
learning curve, and yet can challenge the student who is motivated to try
more advanced projects.  I also want software that allows the student to
produce a product which can be related to many subject areas in the school
curriculum.  I use MicroWorlds because it is easy to get started on many
projects which can be related to many subjects.  I especially like how
MicroWorlds produces very nice looking animated stories.  I would love to
see 3D and animated GIFS added to MicroWorlds, but there are already plenty
of features available to keep my students busy.  In my school district,
HyperStudio is used over MicroWorlds because it is perceived to be easier
to use than MicroWorlds.  I'm trying to change that perception by teaching
workshops on MicroWorlds in my district.  Most teachers who work with
MicroWorlds for the first time are impressed with its many features and
like the fact that you do have to do some thinking in order to use it.  I
think HyperStudio is more limited, although I do have my students do one
HyperStudio project controling a laser disc player because it has a better
interface.  The HyperLogo part of HyperStudio does not fit well with the
program.  I don't know anyone in my district who uses HyperLogo with their
HyperStudio projects.

I would love to play with the 3D aspects of MSW Logo someday.  I don't have
access to a Windows machine to be able to try it.

-John

John St. Clair		     Board of Directors - Global SchoolNet Foundation
Technology Teacher	     moderator schl-sig-logo and logo-l
Vina Danks Middle School
Ontario-Montclair School District
Ontario, California, USA


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