Archive for May 2015

What's in the sideboard?

Superdecade 14:20 Add Comment
The third installment in our series on PoopScoop solutions.  This time the level is "What's in the sideboard?".

Another level where it is all about preparation.  The blocks on the right hand side must be moved one-at-a-time to clear a route through to the poop, but first you need to prepare your escape route.

Solution:

right
dig
pull
//repeat loop
repeat 2
{
     jump
}
end

right
push
left
//repeat loop
repeat 2
{
     push
}
end

right
push
reverse 1
right
forward 2
right
forward 1
left
//repeat loop
repeat 2
{
     jump
}
end

forward 1
left
forward 4
right
forward 2
right
pull
reverse 1
right
forward 4
jump
left
jump
right
jump
left
jump
forward 1
left
forward 2
right
forward 1
left
//repeat loop
repeat 2
{
     jump
}
end
left
forward 4
right
forward 1
push
right
forward 1
//repeat loop
repeat 2
{
     pull
}
end

reverse 1
right
forward 4
jump
left
jump
right
jump
left
jump
forward 1
left
forward 2
right
forward 1
left
//repeat loop
repeat 2
{
     jump
}
end
left
forward 4
right
forward 1
push
right
forward 2
//repeat loop
repeat 3
{
     pull
}
end

reverse 1
right
forward 4
jump
left
jump
right
jump
left
jump
forward 1
left
forward 2
right
forward 1
left
//repeat loop
repeat 2
{
     jump
}
end
left
forward 4
right
forward 1
push
right
forward 3
push
left
forward 2
right
//repeat loop
repeat 2
{
     forward 1
     scoop
}
end

Eugene's lair

Superdecade 16:24 Add Comment

Introducing another PoopScoop solution.  This time "Eugene's Lair".

The trick to solving Eugene's Lair is to prepare your route through so you can push one of the blocks onto the green button.  Once the button is pressed new platforms rise up and the solution becomes trivial.

Solution:

forward 2
left
forward 2
left
forward 1
right
forward 1
left
forward 1
dig
dig
jump
forward 3
left
forward 2
right
forward 1
pull
left
reverse 2
left
forward 3
jump
forward 3
right
forward 1
left
forward 1
right
forward 2
right
forward 4
left
forward 2
left
pull
pull
left
forward 2
right
forward 2
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
right
forward 2
right
dig
pull
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
left
reverse 2
left
forward 4
right
forward 3
jump
forward 1
right
forward 4
//repeat loop
repeat 2
{
    jump
    right
    forward 1
    pull
    left
}
end
jump
forward 2
right
forward 2
left
forward 1
right
forward 3
right
forward 1
drain
forward 1
right
dig
dig
flip
forward 2
pull
pull
right
dig
right
dig
left
dig
//repeat loop
repeat 2
{
     forward 1
     dig
}
end
forward 1
left
forward 4
right
forward 4
right
forward 3
jump
forward 1
right
forward 4
//repeat loop
repeat 3
{
     jump
}
end
forward 2
right
forward 2
left
forward 1
right
forward 3
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
left
push
right
forward 2
left
forward 1
scoop
reverse 4
left
forward 5
scoop
left
forward 1
scoop

Ghost in the machine

Superdecade 17:56 Add Comment

Introducing the solution to one of the most difficult puzzles on 'PoopScoop'.

Ghost in the machine initial situation.  Your job, scoop the four poops, but first you must move the crates out of the way.


right
forward 2
right
forward 2
left
forward 4
push
flip
jump
forward 3
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
push
right
pull
reverse 1
left
forward 3
right
forward 1
jump
forward 1
jump
forward 2
right
forward 3
jump
forward 2
right
forward 1
jump
forward 1
left
forward 1
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
push
left
pull
reverse 1
left
jump
forward 3
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
push
right
forward 1
pull
pull
reverse 1
left
forward 3
right
forward 1
jump
forward 1
jump
forward 2
right
forward 3
jump
forward 2
right
forward 1
jump
forward 1
left
forward 1
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
push
left
forward 1
pull
pull
reverse 1
left
jump
forward 3
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
push
right
forward 2
//repeat loop
repeat 3
{
     pull
}
end
reverse 1
left
forward 3
right
forward 1
jump
forward 1
jump
forward 2
right
forward 3
jump
forward 2
right
forward 1
jump
forward 1
left
forward 1
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
push
left
forward 2
//repeat loop
repeat 3
{
     pull
}
end
reverse 1
left
jump
forward 3
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
push
right
forward 3
//repeat loop
repeat 4
{
     pull
}
end
reverse 1
left
forward 3
right
forward 1
jump
forward 1
jump
forward 2
right
forward 3
jump
forward 2
right
forward 1
jump
forward 1
left
forward 1
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
push
left
forward 3
//repeat loop
repeat 4
{
     pull
}
end
reverse 1
left
jump
forward 3
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
push
right
forward 4
right
forward 1
scoop
reverse 2
scoop
forward 1
left
reverse 6
left
forward 3
right
forward 1
jump
forward 1
jump
forward 2
right
forward 3
jump
forward 2
right
forward 1
jump
forward 1
left
forward 1
right
forward 2
left
forward 2
push
left
forward 4
left
forward 1
scoop
reverse 2
scoop

Kids playtest LitterPik

Superdecade 18:17 Add Comment
LitterPik - a simple programming puzzle game from superdecade games.
LitterPik and PoopScoop are two programming games designed to introduce kids to the basics of programming.  In order to solve each level you must give Robot a list of commands (a computer program) which he will faithfully execute.  Each level involves differing amounts of jumping, rotating, pushing and pulling obstacles, as well as negotiating magnets and deadly pools of water.  There is even a level designer.

Here are some nice things said about LitterPik and PoopScoop by some 7 and 8-year-old children:




Head over to the PoopScoop and LitterPik pages now.

Lessons learned from lino

Superdecade 09:56 Add Comment
I have been experimenting with lino in the classroom.  Lino provides an online collaborative noticeboard in which you and your students can post 'stickies' (think post-it notes).  I have used it as a collaborative space for year 7 students to share ideas for a project and by year 11 students as a revision board.  It could be used as a noticeboard for class announcements, share links, videos etc, or anywhere you have the need for a community noticeboard.

GCSE Computing student revision noticeboard

Features of Lino.

  • No login required.
  • Visitors can post stickies.
  • Your canvas can be private; available to anyone this the link; or public (list on Lino).
  • Post stickies by email.
  • A fairly wide range of canvas backgrounds including adding your own background image.
  • Several different coloured stickies, including transparent. 
  • Supports RSS feeds.
  • Multiple canvasses.
  • Android and Apple apps available as well as the web app.


Lessons learned from using Lino.

  • As with all collaborative technology, students may feel the need to troll each other, or go off task.  You need to be prepared for this and allow them to get this excitment out of their system before they begin to respect it as a useful collaborative tool.
  • Students may feel the need to create their own accounts and set up their own boards.  This should be encouraged however there are safety issues you should discuss with the students and the privacy settings shown below should be explained.
  • Once you have finished with a canvas, you can lock it to 'show stickies to everyone' (but other people cannot post.  This will prevent trolling.
  • You need not list your canvas as a public canvas.  Make sure you deselect this as it is selected by default (naughty Lino).
Carefully choose your canvas settings.



#edtech
#education
#noticeboards
#collaboration

Destroy The World

Superdecade 14:46 Add Comment
Just because I am feeling that way inclined, a series on links to various simulators that let you cause simulated damage to this fragile planet.  #pollution #impact #nuclearwar #flooding

Breathing Earth


This simulator by Volnaiskra shows estimated birth and death rates across the planet, including CO2 emission rates. The data comes from various sources including the CIA and the United Nations. Hover over a country for more information.

Impact Earth


Feel the need to hurl rocks at the Earth?  Impact Earth written by Gareth Collins, H. Jay Melosh and Robert Marcus for Purdue University lets you do just that.  Set the diameter, density, angle of trajectory and velocity, as well as your distance from the impact and stand back and watch the chaos.  The app comes with loads of presets as well.  Need to know what happens when you fire a whale at the Earth?  The answer is here.

Nuclear Darkness



Nuclear Darkness by Alan Phillips is an exploration of nuclear war (read 'nuclear disaster').  Choose a location and weapon type and this app calculates the destruction.  All world leaders should see this site.

The data and algorithms used to create these simulations are based on information found in "The Effects of Nuclear Weapons", 3rd Edition, by Samuel Glasstone and Philip J. Dolan.  Also the work of Dr. Alexander Montgomery and Dr. Lynn Eden.

Once you have finished playing with the simulator, there is a wealth of information on the effects of nuclear war, simulations, infographics and more.

Flood Map


Set your location and sea level with this app.  See the damage.  Have fun creating the United Islands of America.

From the creators:
"Flood Map application is a small contribution using our programming skill towards the fight against natural disaster like flood & probably save a life."

Kids create logos

Superdecade 18:23 Add Comment
I asked my year 8 class to design a logo for their imaginary company.  They went online and found some of the following free web apps for logo creation with made designs with some considerable success.  I've rated them here in terms of their availability and ease of use.  #logos #education

Logo garden
Logo garden front page

Very easy to use interface.


A really great site.  Very easy to use, change font, add colour etc.   Loads of presets to choose from.  Undo function is a real bonus.  No sign-in required so very useful for school projects.
Rating 5/5

DesignMantic

Maybe it will work again one day?

I've seen some great results from this site - with some really professional-looking logos created effortlessly and intuitively.  Unfortunately I could not get it to work in Chrome as I write this post.  What a shame!
Rating 1/5

Textcraft

An old favourite.

We really like Textcraft.  This web app allows you to create Minecraft style logos with relative ease.  There are loads of different blocky fonts to choose from and you can have up to three lines in your logo.  Really like the transparency feature as well.  Also, no sign-in required.
Rating 5/5

Logo Maker

Type in your brand name...

Loads of Logos generated.


Once you have selected a preset - you can use an intuitive interface to modify the design.

Register your account with your Google account and then receive the heart-breaking news that this free app is not free at all and you have to pay 15 quid for your own work.  What a shame.
Rating 0/5


Cooltext
Choose from loads of preset designs.

Easy to use modification tools.


We really like Cooltext.  Simple and effective and no sign-up required.

Rating 5/5




Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Label