CS Solutions II
© 2002 Tyndal Stone Media
Designed for introductory computer science students in grades 10-12 and post secondary, this program introduces the basic concepts of computer programming. Working with a 3D, onscreen robot, students program the robot to walk, climb and eventually complete a designated course. Along the way they learn about algorithms, main logic modules and sub-modules, program testing and debugging and more. We sent the program out for testing to Jeff Dagg, Dexter High School's technology teacher. Although initially excited about the software, Dagg found it quite flawed. Here are some of his comments. "I don’t think that most students would stick with this program. While the program looks good, it is loaded with frustrating idiosyncrasies. It is challenging to get the robot to perform well. The software is more of an exercise in trial and error than programming. Teachers would find it difficult to assess student work without running each program on each computer and manually counting the number of lines of code or creating more elaborate assessment rubrics based on the appearance of the robots gait. The program would be better if it was delivered in a richer context. An example would be to link to robotics and biomechanics websites to show that the field of robotics and prosthetic gait is relevant. Logo programming is more versatile and more gratifying and is available as freeware or shareware. The $75 per license is too high for the educational value that the program offers."
$74.95, Win, Mac
Teaches: logic, programming, problem solving