For Non-Programming
Teachers:
The programs on this site are primarily
intended for teaching Delphi programming by example. It recently
occurred to me that many of the programs found here might be useful in their
own right in an educational environment.
Since they were intended for training and
not as commercial products, they may be sparse in instructions or other
desirable features. And the descriptions will likely contain contain
lots of "comuputerese". But you can try any
program by downloading the executable version from the link near the bottom
each description page. And they are all free!
So look around and see if there is
anything you're interested in using with your students. Use this
feedback
link
if you have comments or suggestions that might make any program more useful
to you. If you have any ideas for programs along the lines of those
included here, send those along also. If it sounds like fun, I
may just do it!
Candidates that come to mind, in no
particular order, include:
Sci-grapher
- a simple scientific function graphing program. Plots user defined
expressions in 1 or 2 separate series. Single expressions in a
series define the dependent variable. Two expressions can be
included to define "parametric" equations, X and Y in terms of
some 3rd variable. Expressions can be saved reloaded later.
Several sample plot files are included and a "Functiondoc.txt"
file provides some documentation.
Maze
Generator - square, heart shaped, alphabet, even complete word
mazes! You can design your own shapes and save them. Rooms and
paths through each maze are generated randomly; just click then
Generate button until you see one you like, then play or print it.
Click on both "Download executable" and "Download
Sample Letter and Word Mazes" buttons to get
the whole package.
The
River Crossing Puzzle (Fox, Duck, Corn) - a logic
exercise.
Hangman
- human vs. human version, the unbeatable computer playing version (The
Tricky Hangman) is in the works.
The
15 Puzzle - the classic sliding puzzle
Tangram
- the classic Chinese 7 piece puzzle.
Cannon
- ready, aim, fire!
WordStuff
- coded messages, unscramble, word completion ( a crossword
helper).
Akerue
- word finder game (backwards, it spells ???)
Towers
of Hanoi - another classic
Roller
Coaster Simulation - not sure if they learn any physics, but
my grandkids like to constrain the cart to the track and make
configurations that would surely cause severe headaches.
Genaille's
Rods - a 19th century method of multiplying and dividing derived
from "Napier's Bones".
ArithmAttack!
- A timed arithmetic drill program with user control of operations
and operand values. A good way to overcome fear of timed
tests.
Car
and Goats - Which door hides the car? A guessing game with an
interesting twist.
I
For Programming Teachers:
As of September 2006, Borland has
finally decided to make a version of Delphi (Turbo Delphi Explorer)
available for free. The site is
http://www.turboexplorer.com/ . I have not had a chance to
play with it yet, but plan to and will post my experiences here.
If you give it a try, I would love to hear how it goes for you also.
Use the feedback link below.
Also, I have an idea that school computer clubs would be a good way to get
kids involved. Anyone with experience or interest in this area, please let
me know.
Gary Darby
|
Notes
for teachers