XLogo Educator Documentation


Documentation Version: Draft 1 - 11/23/2003
Copyright 2003 Jeff Skrysak


Table of Contents

I. Introduction to the software
II. Why use XLogo?
   A. Programming 
   B. Free and Open Source
   C. Multiple Disciplines
   D. New each time
   E. Long or short use
   F. Many skill levels and age groups
III. How to use XLogo
   A. Problem solving
   B. Elegance goals

I. Introduction to the software
         XLogo was created to give Mac OS X a free version of a Logo program, for younger learners,
         so that they can learn LOGO like their counterparts did in the 1970's and 1980's.
         A side effect, or added bonus, is the source code itself. It should also be written in a manner
         that teaches programming making both the software and its source code a learning tool.

II. Why use XLogo?
   A. Programming 
	The LOGO language is a great way to teach/learn programming. XLogo implements a susbet 
	of this language in an application that is not overly complicated or full of unnecessary features. 
	Even if you don't want your child, student, friend (or even you) to learn programming, XLogo 
	and LOGO can teach logic, problem solving and possibly enhance creativity. There are many
	 ways (too numerous to count) to draw the same drawing making the more creative solution 
	the most fun. The most logical solution, or elegant, is also a possible goal. 
   B. Free and Open Source
	Quite a few applications exist that implement LOGO, or a subset of LOGO. Many are free, 
	including XLogo, but few are open source and available in more than one language. 
	At the time of this writing, XLogo is available in 7 languages. 
   C. Multiple Disciplines
	Education software often teaches mathematics, algebra, writing, english, typing, and problem 
	solving, but none teach them all at the same time. LOGO Programming involves mathematics, 
	writing, typing and problem solving all at the same time. As an added bonus, the fruits of 
	your labor can be seen immediately in the form of a turtle drawing an image. 
   D. New each time
	While other software has puzzles to be solved, math/english/writing to be learned or 
	levels to be played, XLogo has only a drawing screen and your commands. There is no 
	end to the use of XLogo so long as the user can continue to create new and different drawings 
	using the LOGO commands and turtles. 
   E. Long or short use
	Since XLogo has no puzzles or levels, the use of it can be relatively short (For small/simple drawings) 
	or long (for complicated drawings with many turtles). A child/person/student may use XLogo 
	during a short break or for hours at a time. 
   F. Many skill levels and age groups
	The LOGO language can be used to create highly complex and mathematically driven 
	drawings but it can also be used to create simple, colorful ones. The age of the person/child 
	using XLogo can vary more than with any other software, and the same goes for the skill level. 
	The use of the LOGO commands by the user can grow as time goes by and their knowledge 
	of it progresses. There are no barriers against advancement and no need to either. 
	Drawings can be kept simple. 

II. How to use XLogo
   A. Problem Solving
	Give your student a task, and have them solve it. Ask them to draw a circle, or five of them, 
	one with in another. Try to get them to draw a house, a person, a sun, or an animal.
	For the more advanced, include specific mathematical restrictions by asking them to draw
	circles that are twice as large as the last, squares that rotate 30 degrees, or four lines of
	red, green and blue in different combinations.
    B. Elegance Goals
	If the normal problem solving assignments are not challenging enough, give them a
	task of the most elegant goal. They must find the shortest, most timely way to solve
	the tasks given before. It can be one where the use the fewest number of turtles, the least
	number of commands, or in the shortest amount of time.