The Lesson Plans included require ClarisWorks 4.0 to be read and printed. If you do not have ClarisWorks 4.0 and need the plans in plain text format, I'll be happy to e-mail them to you.
Student Programmer needs:
1. HyperCard Player (version 2.2 or later) with at least 2200K allocated
All students should be exposed to computer programming! This might be a bit bold, but computer programming teaches logic, problem solving, patience, and critical thinking, as well as empowering students in a non-traditional yet highly motivating way.
It is manditory to understand HyperCard and HyperTalk before beginning instruction with students. Unless you're very brave, HyperTalk, or any other computer programming language for that matter, should probably not be taught while staying “one day ahead of the students”. This unit assumes the teacher understands HyperCard and HyperTalk basics.
This unit is designed to be used with the program “Student Programmer”, which allows students to run basic HyperTalk scripts to get the feel of programming. Once students understand the basic concepts presented in these lessons, they should move on to working with HyperCard itself. All of the commands in these lessons have been present in all versions of HyperCard, so any version could be used!
While some students will zip through these lessons, others will take several days to make it through each one. This is not intended to be a crash course in HyperTalk... more like an introduction to the power of programming using HyperTalk (I have used these lessons in my school's computer lab successfully). After the lessons have been completed, students should be encouraged to try to complete one of the advanced lessons (10 or 11).
Students should be given as little (or as much) help as they need. Programming takes a great deal of patience, but students who persevere will discover that its rewards are great!
