Fwd: Carcode : The Future
Unni
From: Unni <kpn...@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Mar 24, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Subject: Carcode : The Future
To: soc2008...@python.org
Hi,
I was looking through the project ideas for the google summer of code and
the carcode project initialized by Dr. Toby Donaldson caught my eye.
the carcode project seems to be in its initial stages right now. I was thinking of taking
this up and turning it into a complete environment from within which a seventh grader
or above can learn and enjoy the various aspects of python.
I was thinking the environment can include the following:
1> An Interactive GUI that is extremely user-friendly.
2> Enabling the user to write basic or even advanced code, if necessary.
3> Enabling the user to make small flowcharts to control the animated car to complete the tasks appointed
4> Make sure there is enough documentation to go with the environment that can answer any query on python or the API
5> Extend the API to control a mini-robot, or maybe a toy car which can be assigned a set of tasks or obstacles to be overcome. the robot can be built from a standard kit.
6> Providing a mini-robot and a small guidebook to go with it.
I think it is important that we put some work into making it easy for newcomervs
to learn and like python, especially the kids who are just learning to write basic
code.
Python is one of the best languages for someone to learn programming in, so
that their way of thinking becomes suited to programming. we have working hard
in India to get the curriculum at the schools changed so as to give the students an
exposure to free and open source softwares. we have already implemented the programme
in Kerala, a state in India, where I am based. The Free Software community here has
been looking into ways in which we can make more kids see why Free and Open Source
is the way to go.
If some such learning tool is available I am sure we can make sure all of India will follow soon.
Do let me know your thoughts.
Cheers,
Unni
Toby Donaldson
I moved this discussion to the carcode mailing list ...
Toby
On Mon, Mar 24, 2008 at 11:31 AM, Unni <kpn...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi,
> Thank You for the feedback. I did read the list of to-dos that was posted.
> there is a point i need clarification upon:
>
> 1> Who are the targeted users ?
Grade 11 and 12 students, and first-year university students ---
basically the kinds of students I teach.
> I was planning on redoing the design integrating some cartoons and fun menus
> that would appeal to a much "youthful" person. Clearly that will take some
> rethinking now.
Have you seen how you create "cars" in Squeak? You draw the car in a
paint program, and then add some code, and off it goes. An interface
that lets you design your own car ---even just the graphics --- would
be nice to have.
> I had some trouble getting carcode to function on my system.
> After commenting out a few well-chosen lines, I was able to more or less
> use it, but only after much experimentation and because i knew how the
> code functioned by then.
What system are you running it one? What version of Python and pygame
are you using? I've only used carcode on Ubuntu Linux, so there might
be some platform-specific code in it.
Perfecting the installation of carcode would definitely be useful, as
beginners get frustrated quickly when they can't even install the
software. I've add this to the website as a task.
> So I agree that the first step should be redesigning the Interface so that
> the user feels intrigued with the application. Also i think we should start
> with some documentation so that future users do not find themselves at
> sea.
Certainly it needs more documentation.
> From the list of needs posted, I think most of them are quite easily doable.
> More car designs are definitely needed, and also some more car
> functionalities.
> I would like to work on all the ideas on the wish-list as a part of the
> SoC.
> Please let me know what you think.
That would be ideal ... you should probably make a list of things you
would like to do, in the order you'd like to do them, relating them to
important dates in the Summer of Code program.
Toby
>
> Cheers,
> Unni
>
>
>
> On Mon, Mar 24, 2008 at 10:59 PM, Toby Donaldson <t...@sfu.ca> wrote:
>
> > I really like xturtle, and have used it extensively. But carcode has
> > some differences:
> >
> > - It's about cars: you start/stop, on the indicators when turning,
> > turn on/off break lights, etc. The cars also behave like real cars:
> > they don't stop or turn on a dime, and so it is challenging to do the
> > equivalent of turtle.left(180) in carcode (as with a real car, you
> > could only do this by driving around in large enough space).
> >
> > - The cars are meant to be controlled autonomously: they have sensors,
> > such as "pixel color sensors", so they can see lines on the road and
> > stay between them. This would then allow you to attempt a problem such
> > as turning your car to face the opposite direction in an *unknown*
> > environment, with only yellow/white lines on the road to guide you.
> >
> > Toby
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Mar 24, 2008 at 7:07 AM, Alan G Isaac <ais...@american.edu> wrote:
> > > On Mon, 24 Mar 2008, Unni apparently wrote:
> > > > I was thinking of taking this up and turning it into
> > > > a complete environment from within which a seventh grader
> > > > or above can learn and enjoy the various aspects of
> > > > python.
> > >
> > > Is there yet any connection with xturtle?
> > > <URL:http://www.rg16.asn-wien.ac.at/~python/xturtle/>
> > >
> > > Cheers,
> > > Alan Isaac
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > soc2008-general mailing list
> > > soc2008...@python.org
> > > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/soc2008-general
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Dr. Toby Donaldson
> > School of Computing Science
> > Simon Fraser University (Surrey)
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > soc2008-general mailing list
> > soc2008...@python.org
> > http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/soc2008-general
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Cheers,
> Unni
--
Dr. Toby Donaldson
School of Computing Science
Simon Fraser University (Surrey)