Program A Person
In this game, you will have the opportunity to actually control a person! The experience is similar to the game Simon Says. One person controls another through commands. The commmands are like a programming code. Generally, with Simon Says, the programmer gives one command and has the people (usually several) do it. In Program A Person, the programmer can give several commands and at least at the start is only controlling one person. It is also possible to have one person control many, kind of like a marching band or the drummers in the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics.
How to set up the programming environment
Work in pairs.
Tell the person which assumptions you are making.
Make a set of commands that causes a person to move.
Write all assumptions and commands on a slip of paper and hand it to the person.
Write your names and roles on the paper.
Keep the papers for future reference. We will use them again in future discussions and projects.
Iterative Process: (Testing and Changing)
- Watch the person execute the program.
- If the program needs to be changed, stop the programmed person.
- Change the program
- Test the program.
- Repeat the iterative process of testing and changing until the program works properly.
When you have the program working correctly, switch roles.
Further testing and evaluating
The true test of how well you have programmed a person will be for you to hand the slip of paper to another person who was not involved in the creation of the program. If they can successfully 'run the program' then you have communicated well. If they cannot properly execute the program, then it should be modified and tested again.
As a larger group:
- Discuss and share ways on how to make the commands for your code universal for all the people in the room.
- Rewrite your code so that every robot in the room can understand it.
- Have one piece of code commanding two or more people. This will be more complex, because the programmed people may need to have a common time or other reference.
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