On Mon, 07 Jul 2003 21:55, Jim Ford wrote:
Hi,
I'm a science technician in a U.K. Independant (non-State) Secondary School. I've had experience of several programming languages (including Logo) and when I came accross Squeak became a convert to the concept of it being an excellent learning tool - not only for children, but adults as well.
We all saw that with the pendulum project on the list a few weeks ago.
I've tried introducing Squeak to science teachers, but encountered the problem that I've come across with other ideas I've had, which is: if it's not in 'The National Curriculum', it won't get taught.
So, be a bit devious, tell the pupils, don't tell the teachers. The pupils will keep your secret. When the teachers finally see their pupils absolutely fascinated by something, they'll - the teachers - take notice.
I've got stuck on a project which _is_ in that blessed "National Curriculum", I'm sure. The mechanics of a see-saw, i.e. rotational moments. I'm absolutely sure I 'did' that when I was at a "U.K. Independant (non-State) Secondary School" many years ago. Here is the beginnings of the project, but I can't work out how to keep the centres of rotation of the two weights positionally the same as the top of the fulcrum, as I move the weights along the see-saw line. It would be nice if somebody else could let me in on the secret, or indeed finish the project.
http://squeakland.org/project.jsp?http://berty.dyndns.org/SeeSaw.001.pr
If folks want to link to it please could they mirror it too. My ISP has cut the outgoing traffic rate to a tiny trickle, so please be patient.
How about a comment or documentation tile to go in the scripts? Is this possible?
-- C. S.