Alan Kleymeyer

Throwback Christmas

We had a great Christmas.
We did not get an XBOX 360 or an HDTV TV, our big wish-list items.
Instead, Christmas included some gifts that were well received, inexpensive and a throwback to my childhood. First there was PaddlePool.  I remember my four sisters and I playing this all the time. We even took it with us to Evansville Indiana that year we got it. 

Next, David received an electric racecar set.  No batteries (yeah), just an AC adapter and two controllers.  It was a blast.  I remember wanting this one I was a kid.  Ours has a loop but this picture gives you an idea of the set:

Finally, David also received this wooden Tommy Gun that shot rubber bands.  The rubber bands don't shoot very hard but go far enough to make it fun.

Teaching kids how to program computers

To this day, one of my favorite game CD's for kids is The Lost Mind of Dr. Brain. Each of the games require critical thinking which is why I love the game.

My personal favorite is the "Train of Thought" which requires you to control the intersection switches on ever-increasing in complexity railroad tracks.  Colored balls are introduced on the track and you have to make sure they arrive at a single destination in the right order.

Another games is a simple interface controlling a robot on a grid.  It is intended to teach basic programming constructs. 

I came across another program for teaching kids about computer programming.  I found it searching for resource for python programming.   It's called The Guido van Robot or GVR for short.  Haven't downloaded yet but the screenshots look interesting and I'll get around to trying it out.

More efforts to help kids learn about programming and computers.

Alice - The focus of the Alice project is now to provide the best possible first exposure to programming for students ranging from middle schoolers to college students

Kids Programming Language (KPL)

CeeBot

Don Box's thoughts

King Arthur day

David reminded me that we have a three day weekend coming up.  After all, Feb 17 is "King Arther day" he says.

Which Game Console to Buy?

My sister asked me which game console I'd recommend. She is thinking of buying one for her sons this Christmas. Her boys are 7, 5, and 2.

My initial response was (not having researched it yet):

Very generally, the XBOX may have the latest technologies and potential for expansion (turning it into a media center for your living room). The competitors have more games to play on it.

Each company tries to get "exclusive" games.

You might want to approach it by anticipating what games you would buy them and see which console they work on. Include very young kids titles, in your research.

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Includes:
Ask Earl
Word of the Day

[Via Dave]