Free path activity
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Description

The idea is to extend the already existing path activity. Here, the user does not have to walk on a pre-defined path and is free to roam around. Additionally, we have an energy property associated with Tux. The user has to spend 1 energy to move one step in any direction. Initially, Tux has a fixed energy value. This energy may or may not be sufficient to reach the destination. Tux has to collect food items along the way (say fishes), to replenish its energy to reach the destination.

Additionally, we can explore other types of obstacles used in the activity to make it more exciting. One such idea is that we have a river in the middle of the map, and the user has to cross the river using a bridge.

Adding animations to the activity would be a plus. For example, add animation to energy components on the map. This would allow the users to locate energy items quickly. Animations should be subtle and non-invasive. Also, hitting a solid block from where Tux cannot pass should trigger some audio/visual feedback. The possibility of adding animations to other components could be explored.

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hadron created this task.Apr 4 2022, 6:53 AM
hadron updated the task description. (Show Details)Apr 5 2022, 3:02 PM
hadron updated the task description. (Show Details)Apr 5 2022, 4:36 PM

Hi, I am a Primary teacher. I recently used the 'programming maze' activity in Gcompris. It works well and is quite effective. It is great to see a simple coding activity on the suite and it would be awesome to expand the suite in this key learning area.

During general Primary school lesson activities when children are learning something new, there will usually be a 'structured' activity, where the children first try the new learning for themselves. This is normally followed by an 'apply your learning' activity. The programming maze works quite well for 'structured' learning here.
(Digression - I do think 'programming maze' could be improved by increasing the number of challenges at the same skill level, but not the complexity too early. Repeating 2 or 3 x 'level one' challenges allows the children to practise the skill, then again for subsequent levels. The learning curve is steep for beginners without this repetition and some children who enjoy the activity could gain more satisfactory practise, despite not being able to complete the higher levels - just some thoughts! sorry, a digression! :-)

SO, what I feel would be a great 'application of learning' enhancement is a companion 'free programming' activity on a set of maps such as the example map above. That means at any time in the lesson the teacher can move the children from the 'structured practise' to 'apply learning' stage of the lesson. Children can be given any number of programmed paths to execute. For example, 'Make Tux meet 1 sheep, then cross the bridge' or on another map, 'Make Tux go to the woods,then down the path to the shop' 'make Tux visit the elephant, the monkey and the giraffe in the zoo' etc, etc. Creative possibilities are very broad as long as the Tux can be allowed to 'visit' any square on the map, without penalty. ....Finally, in the lesson the children can devise any of their own routes to programme, and are motivated with their own goals and working at their individual levels. 'I want to make Tux visit the tiger, then the lion, etc.' 'I want tux to cross the bridge first, then meet all the three sheep' etc. In my experience, children are really enthusiastic learners when they can creatively to put their own ideas into action.

I am not a programmer. So I don't know if what I am saying is possible above, but it seems to me that parts of the 'programming maze' activity and the map above (and other maps?) might be combined to create this new, free programming activity.

Sorry for the long explanation. I hope that makes sense. I have not used this phabricator before, so I hope I haven't put this suggestion in the wrong place or messed something up! Please let me know if I can supply more information - or help in some way. I would be interested to start programming, but I would be a total beginner, so I don't know what I could practically do to help. I have lots of ideas as a teacher though.
Anyway, many thanks for listening. I appreciate all this is hard work for the team so I completely understand if it is not possible. Just a suggestion Keep up the good work! :-)
Cheers!