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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935405301-08042008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>"Turtle confusion" is a nice little book (though I can't
seem to find my copy).</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935405301-08042008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935405301-08042008><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Somewhere in my past, I taught some math-ish concepts using
Logo, mainly geometry. Could be readily adapted to other languages such as
scratch or Alice.</FONT></SPAN></DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> yr7-10it-bounces@edulists.com.au
[mailto:yr7-10it-bounces@edulists.com.au] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Bill
Kerr<BR><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, April 05, 2008 5:47 PM<BR><B>To:</B> Year 7 - 10
Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Yr7-10it]
girls, IT, computer literacy<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>rob costello wrote:<BR>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 40px"><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">I'm looking
for ways to attempt some maths teaching with programming technology and am not
sure of the best platform <BR></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 47.76pt"><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">Eg
programming the graphics calc, or logo, logo-lego, picax, Alice, Scratch – maybe
these cricket things <BR></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 47.76pt"><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">We use
picax in the traditional systems technology subject so that might be viable
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 40px"><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"> Feels
a little odd that is no established body of practice – at least that I can find
- here<BR><BR>Seems to be re-inventing it all over again – as though digital
computers haven't sat along side maths in schools for 30 years already
</SPAN></FONT></P><BR><BR>
<DIV class=gmail_quote>I'm using scratch to teach maths in combination with a
booklet by barry newell called "turtle confusion"<BR><BR>this features 40 shapes
starting from simple squares, triangles etc and progressively becoming more and
more complex<BR><BR>great for geometry, variables and building complexity
from simpler parts<BR><BR>I've written a couple of blogs explaining in some more
detail (and will write more when I have completed more of BN's
puzzles)<BR><BR><A
href="http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2008/02/one-problem-with-scratch.html">http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2008/02/one-problem-with-scratch.html</A><BR><A
href="http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2008/04/late-binding-scratch-cat.html">http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/2008/04/late-binding-scratch-cat.html</A><BR><BR>sadly
the turtle is gone in scratch, replaced by a mundane cat, but logo lives
on<BR><BR>-- <BR>Bill Kerr<BR><A
href="http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/">http://billkerr2.blogspot.com/</A><BR><BR><BR><BR>On
Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 10:14 PM, Costello, Rob R <<A
href="mailto:Costello.Rob.R@edumail.vic.gov.au">Costello.Rob.R@edumail.vic.gov.au</A>>
wrote:<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote
style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid">
<DIV lang=EN-AU vlink="purple" link="blue">
<DIV>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Hi Sarah
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Thanks for the links
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">That is an
interesting paper on Scratch and kindergarten play approaches
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I'm started playing
with Scratch with year 9s as have many people – often at younger year levels –
on this list </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">That paper you sent
says : </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=TimesNewRoman size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRoman">"Most electronic toys are
not in the spirit of Froebel's Gifts, since they do not provide children
with</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=TimesNewRoman size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRoman">opportunities to design or
create. Most of today's electronic toys are pre-programmed by the toy company.
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">…. </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=TimesNewRoman size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRoman">"Even in today's
participatory culture, very few people are creating and sharing
</SPAN></FONT><I><FONT face=TimesNewRoman,Italic size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-STYLE: italic">programmable
</SPAN></FONT></I><FONT face=TimesNewRoman size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRoman">media
(such</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=TimesNewRoman size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRoman">interactive characters and
interactive games).</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Couldn't agree more …
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<DIV class=Ih2E3d>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Arial color=navy size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">>
</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">It's
fantastic to see discussion on girls and computing. We are few and far
between, that is for sure! </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P></DIV>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">Its
interesting - one observation I've noticed is that the ratio of women in ICT
curriculum and policy positions often seems quite high … eg scanning the names
in the Victorian elearning unit suggests it might be as high as 13:1.
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">the
general pattern of gender and numbers in courses at school and uni level is
often the other way … don't know why … just interesting
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">Does STAP
do any work with Latrobe in Bendigo? </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">I'm
looking for ways to attempt some maths teaching with programming technology
and am not sure of the best platform </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt"><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">Eg
programming the graphics calc, or logo, logo-lego, picax, Alice, Scratch –
maybe these cricket things </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt"><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt"><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">We use
picax in the traditional systems technology subject so that might be viable
</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">Feels a
little odd that is no established body of practice – at least that I can find
- here </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">Seems to
be re-inventing it all over again – as though digital computers haven't sat
along side maths in schools for 30 years already </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">Eg that
paper you sent also says of Logo – which should be the mother of all
educational programming in maths, that </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=TimesNewRoman size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRoman">In a critique of the Logo
programming language, for example, Marvin Minsky [10] noted that Logo has a
great grammar</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=TimesNewRoman size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRoman">but not much literature.
Whereas young writers are often inspired by the great works of literature that
they read,</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=TimesNewRoman size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRoman">there is no analogous
library of great Logo projects to inspire young programmers – and no outlets
where young</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=TimesNewRoman size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: TimesNewRoman">programmers can share
their Logo projects with others.</SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">So we're
back to "scratch" ! </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">Really
seems hard work to me - no wonder its so hard to change maths teaching –
if even Logo doesn't have exciting "literature" to match its grammar (that
comment was 1986 though) </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri"></SPAN></FONT> </P>
<P><FONT face=Calibri color=#1f497d size=2><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: rgb(31,73,125); FONT-FAMILY: Calibri">Rob
</SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR>_______________________________________________
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