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by sopooneo 4821 days ago
I always thought the game "lightbot" might be good as part of a intro course.

http://armorgames.com/play/2205/light-bot

4 comments

Thank you for mentioning light-bot! I am the creator of the game and know of many teachers who use it to introduce the concepts of basic functional programming, particularly calling procedures. There is a light-bot 2.0 as well (a little more complicated and includes recursion and a form of conditionals), and there is also a new light-bot in the works (see light-bot.com). Hope your daughter enjoys it!
I always use the first lightbot as an introduction to functions. The best part is when one student figures out the concept I encourage the class to 'cheat' from each other. I have them show each other the concept of functions. Its great fun to explain to the class that not only are they learning core computer science concepts but also that it is OK to build on others ideas and work together. Concepts that the schools to their best to knock out of our children for the sake of independent evaluation.
Interesting. I particularly like how it teaches decomposition. I don't know how understandable it would be to non-programmers, particularly children. They may need a parent or teacher on hand, at least at first.
Cargo-Bot (http://twolivesleft.com/CargoBot/) on the iPad is also very similar in teaching programming.
The later Cargo-Bot levels esp. those with recursion are difficult for even the most proficient programmers.