Re: comparison between learning variables in traditional way and by MicroWorlds

[Timothy Klein <kleinvox@xxxxxxx>]

On 13 Apr 2008, at 10:18 AM, Daniel Ajoy wrote:
> On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 02:50:18 -0500, zehava wizman  
> <zehavawi1@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Hello Forum!
> >  As we konw  students have a lot of difficulties in understanding  
> > variables concept. I think that MicroWorlds can improve the  
> > understanding. I would like to know if someone explored it by  
> > comparing 2 system of teaching the traditional system with  
> > Microworlds system.
> >        Thanks, Zehava
> Here:
>
> http://investigations.terc.edu/library/bookpapers/ 
> computers_support.cfm
Very interesting article, Daniel. Since I started with OpenWorld  
Learning, getting 3rd-5th graders to grok variables has been the  
toughest part.
I'm not entirely convinced that Logo makes things any easier/better  
than the traditional way (is this the math "traditional" way, or  
imperative programming "traditional" way?).
I'm going to have to think about it more.

I often find myself wishing Logo did variables the Lisp or Scheme way.  
Although I'm sure there are good reasons for why it does it the way it  
does it (and I've read a bit about those reasons in the help file for  
UCB Logo).
Sincerely,

Timothy Klein
--
Teacher, OpenWorld Learning
tklein@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx