Upload
timothy-morrison
View
221
Download
1
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
http://cs.harvard.edu/malan/scratch/index.php
Communicating via Programming Languages
Palmyra Area High School
2
Why Teach Programming?
• Some folks believe that every student should learn to program– Computational thinking is an essential capability
for just about everyone. – Programming is an incredibly useful skill: fields
from anthropology to zoology students who code will have an advantage over those who can’t.
– It is predicted that 71 percent of all new jobs in STEM fields during the next decade will be in computer science.
3
What I Find True About Coding
• It teaches students about logic and patterns
• Empowers some, frustrates others• It takes some time to really develop this
beyond simplicity• Scratch is written for simplicity but can
become as complex as needed
4
What is Programming/Coding?
• The ability to talk to a computer in a language it can understand
• The computer will read your programming code and execute your instructions
• The code must be correct and unambiguous
7
Programming Languages
Why do we have programming languages? A way of thinking
A way of effectively expressing instructions
What is a language for?Tell the hardware what you want it to do
Not necessary to make physical hardware changes
8
Programming in Scratch
• Visual based programing • Commands are in the form of pieces• Pieces are then linked together sort of like Legos• Simplifies programming less intensive on learning the
language and more on the application• Based off of Python• Should be used to introduce the idea of coding
elementary & middle school• HS should move into actual programming languages –
but we are not there yet!• It can be used to develop apps for Android OS
9
Programming Terminology
• Statements
• Boolean Expression
• Conditions
• Loops
• Variables
• Threads
• Events
• Sprite
10
Scratch Cat – Sprite
2D image or animation
Costume 1 Costume 2 Costume 3 Costume 4
Animated Sprite
12
Boolean Expression
• An expression that is either TRUE or FALSE
SCRATCH EXAMPLE:
With Boolean expressions we can create conditions!
PYTHONBoolean = bool(input( “Enter a Boolean Value: “))
13
Conditions
• Must be TRUE to occur
• If, When & Until are condition labels
SCRATCH EXAMPLE:
If Construct
14
Conditions Cont.
If- Else Construct
PYTHON
Value = input (“Press a Key”)
If value == SPACE: Print “Hello!”Else: Print “Goodbye!”
16
Variables
• A changeable value recorded in memory
• Used whenever a value must be stored
SCRATCH EXAMPLE:
17
Threads• A mini-program within a program
• You can have multiple threads in your program
SCRATCH EXAMPLE:
It is helpful to use separate threads for conceptually distinct tasks