plakboek ([info]plakboek) wrote,
@ 2008-03-08 18:12:00
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Entry tags:3d, gender, language, programming, python, storytelling

Python Scripting
We have installed a suite of different programming tools on all the college computers.

  • Alice has some GUI tools to move images around a screen in order to create a 3D story.
  • Ren'Py supports the creation of visual novels
Alice and Ren'Py both use Python scripting to make things 'work' both come with a built-in tutorial to get the students started. They include some sample activities and an interactive tutorial to get students started.

These seem to be very engaging tools for my middle school students. I have not done an extensive literature review but from what I have read so far, presenting programming in a storytelling context is a great way to engage and motivate girls. Lindy McKeown mentioned something along this line at the 2008 VITTA conference keynote address. Oddly enough, some of the boys related to these games from their use of Adventure Quest, an online flash based game.



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Ren'Py
(Anonymous)
2008-03-20 06:17 pm UTC (link)
As the creator of Ren'Py, I find it interesting that colleges are using it as a teaching tool. If you have any details of how people wind up using it, please let me know.

PyTom (Ren'Py Creator)

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Re: Ren'Py
[info]plakboek
2008-03-25 10:44 am UTC (link)
Cripes, I am humbled that you stumbled on my blog! At the moment I am keen to work my way through some different programming teaching strategies that do better at engaging girls, this may be one of them. I am new to Python scripting and will keep you posted. :-)

Tonight I am writing a journal article and will mention this blog entry. I will post you some feedback on how it goes.

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