A few classes a go we walked through a 20 step program (http://studio.code.org/hoc/1) that walked us through using computer programing to finish tasks in the context of video games. This was the best experience I have ever had with programing. In my experience programing has always been like a foreign language to me and therefore trying to make anything has always been a struggle.
Then we went to a website called scratch where we worked on creating a "program." Before we started to create a game that actually involved math we were asked to simply play around and make something. Brittany and I were able to create a cat and mouse game. You start the mouse moving and then control where the cat goes in hope of "catching" the mouse. While this is not a very complex game the program behind it was much harder than you would think.
Here is a link to what we created --> http://scratch.mit.edu/projects/49234414/
Overall I think that this is a great resource to become more familiar with. I am working on trying to create a game that is more math centered but I am still struggling to become familiar with scratch.
This entire process has reminded me a lot of my experience with LaTex. LaTex is a program that is frequently used in the math world and I absolutely loath it. I started working with it in Math 210 (our first proofs class) and immediately I struggled with it. I would constantly work through the math required for my proofs and then be unable to make them look presentable due to programming issues. Eventually the class ended and I did my best to forget about it. I am now in Math 310 (another proof class) and it is all coming back to haunt me. My lack of LaTex skills are really hurting my ability to write good proofs.
While I understand that middle schools are not going to be asked to use a program to write a proof I think that it would be very helpful to them to introduce them to some form of computer programing. Our world has become so based on technology that I doubt they will make it through without having to program something or other. Math class is a great place to give them a peak into the world of programing because there is a surprising amount of math involved in programing.
And so if given the chance I would love to have a lesson in which the kids are introduced to programing (however, that means I need to work on my programing in order to be able to help them).
Programming is definitely relevant to math, particularly in terms of logical structure and patterns. I think students would greatly enjoy an opportunity to work on such a project, particularly if you could make the programming math related. I think your struggles with programming should be a feeling you hold onto, as a reminder to how your students may feel as they learn math.
ReplyDeleteI also didn't like LaTex, mostly because I didn't know how to write with it and it was a tremendous obstacle. But one late night, it was either sink or swim, and it all just clicked. This goes back to the "Conditions of Learning" article by Brian Cambourne, and I think what did it for me was that I had to be totally immersed in LaTex to learn it. And I think the same will hold true for learning programming, and setting up those conditions of learning will greatly help students when they learn programming and other topics as well. (and when we try to learn programming for ourselves!)
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great idea to build in some foundation for programming especially as our world is becoming more technologically dependent. It could also inspire a lot of students to pursue degrees and jobs in computer science, which I feel like is not a path that is really emphasized in too many high school classes. I've also had major struggles with LaTex, but I think I do okay only because I copy and paste some beginning code from files that my past teachers have used. And also use this magic website: http://detexify.kirelabs.org/classify.html
ReplyDeleteDakota - I use that site sometimes.
ReplyDeleteOne of the nice things about programming is how it makes you need the math. How do I get this to go there? What's going to happen when... When you get students asking you for the math to do something it's all win.
You could strengthen this post by a short discussion of the math you used n the program you made.