Apple IIgs - Manual (Page 30)

Page 30 of 84 II gs
Printed: Thursday, July 25, 2002 12:14:50 PM
object is to answer a question before the meteor containing the question crashes into their
spaceship, for example.
At the other extreme are simulations and construction sets. Simulation applications give you
the chance to run a nuclear power plant, study an erupting volcano, see what happens when you
mix explosive chemicals, mingle with dinosaurs, and have all sorts of other learning
experiences that would be impractical, impossible, dangerous, or too expensive in real life.
Construction sets let you design and build a game, a machine, a song, a space station, or a
movie out of tools provided by the application.
When computers first made their appearance in schools, they were used almost exclusively for
drill and practice. As more computers are becoming available in the classroom, the trend is
toward using the computer as a toolfor writing, calculating, and for keeping records and
statistics (the way it's used in a business office). Instead of just using applications that
teach grammar or spelling, English students are also using word processing applications to
improve their writing. Instead of just using applications that teach algebra, calculus, or
quadratic equations, math students are also learning to use formulas and functions in
spreadsheet applications. Instead of just using applications that drill them on historical
dates and the symbols on the periodic table, students in history and science classes are also
learning to access information services and create their own data bases to help them research
term papers.
Teachers who want to try their hand at programming can use a programming language designed
especially for educators called PILOT (an acronym for Programmed Inquiry, Learning, Or
Teaching). PILOT lets you design your own courseware, or CAI (computer-aided instruction)
software. Apple's version of the PILOT programming language is called SuperPILOT.
Adult Education
Educational applications for adults fall into two categories: serious and not-so-serious. On
the serious side are applications that promise to improve your negotiating, sales, management,
or communication skills. On the not-so serious side are applications to help you improve your
gardening, photography, and other leisure skills. More on these later in this chapter.
Learning By Programming
One of the most educational things you can do with a computer is write programs for it.
Programming teaches you to be a logical thinker (because that's the only way to communicate
with a computer) and a persistent troubleshooter (because mistakes are an inevitable by-product
of writing programs). Developing these skills is useful whether or not you make programming a
lifetime career or hobby.
There are several different programming languages for the Apple IIgs. The most popular for
beginning programmers are BASIC, Logo, and Pascal. Vocabulary and syntax vary from one language
to another, but programming principles stay the same. Once you learn one language, it's
relatively easy to learn others. Here's a short description of BASIC, Logo, and Pascal.
BASIC: An acronym for Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. This language is easy to
learn because it allows you to write instructions for the computer in English-like words and
phrases. A version called Applesoft BASIC is built into your computer, so there are no special
disks to buy. Because BASIC was the first language built into personal computers, you'll find
hundreds of books on the subject and many people who speak
the same language.
Logo: This is a good first programming language because you can learn the fundamentals of
programming by creating graphics. You start by learning to move a turtle (a cursor shaped like
a triangle) around the screen. The turtle knows a few words like FORWARD, BACK, LEFT, and
RIGHT. You tell the turtle how many steps to go and how many degrees to turn. As the turtle