alice-teacher s Digest, Vol 65, Issue 6

[Leonel Morales]

Nowadays I try to use Alice 3.2 as much as possible mainly because I
think it is the version that will see most new features in the future
(I might be wrong!).

The first betas of Alice 3 were really confusing for me. I was
expecting all the visibility of Alice 2 and the same programming model
but it changed. The current version of Alice 3 is much better than the
betas I think.

I have both versions open now and comparing their user interfaces I
can see where the confusion could have originated:

1. Alice 2 has 3 tabs in the lower left: properties, methods,
functions. Alice 3 has only 2: procedures and functions. Properties
have been assimilated into functions through get and set methods.
Alice 2's tabs map better (I think) to how we understand things: they
have properties, are capable of doing actions (methods) and deliver
something (functions). Alice 3's tabs conform better to a programming
model (object oriented encapsulation) but that is not all that clear
for the lay user.

2. Alice 2 uses a tree-like visual aid to signal the selected object
while Alice 3 uses a drop down list that is less apparent. I have seen
students trying to find a method or function with the wrong object
selected, it has happened to me too.

3. Events handlers in Alice 2 are always visible and clearly
distinguishable from the rest of the code. In Alice 3 events and
"myFirstMethod" seem to have the same hierarchy, both are tabs in the
same pane. I have found students that end up putting the code intended
for the "myFirstMethod" in an event handler, somehow they selected the
wrong tab and didn't notice.

4. The gallery seems simpler and better organized in Alice 2, although
it might be just because I have worked with Alice 2's gallery for more
time. I understand the advantages of the new model format in Alice 3
but I miss some of the functionality implemented in the old objects.

All these points are subjective but I wanted to share them just in
case someone else noticed the same.

Best wishes,

Leonel

2016-01-20 14:47 GMT-06:00, Donald Slater via alice-teachers
<alice-teachers at lists.andrew.cmu.edu>:
> I would be very interested, and it would be helpful to hear specifically,
> how the teacher finds that Alice 3 adds confusion. They may contact me
> off-line, if they would be willing.
>
> Thank you,
> Don Slater
>
>> On Jan 20, 2016, at 3:18 PM, Tamara Mazza via alice-teachers
>> <alice-teachers at lists.andrew.cmu.edu> wrote:
>>
>> Actually, it would be my High School Teacher who teaches Alice and
>> computer science that thinks that Alice 3 adds confusion.  I do truly like
>> Alice 2.2 as it breaks down a lot of the programing needed and I think it
>> is perfect for Middle School students both boys and girls.
>>
>> Thank You,
>>
>> Tamara Mazza
>>
>> On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 2:07 PM, robert durtschi via alice-teachers
>> <alice-teachers at lists.andrew.cmu.edu
>> <mailto:alice-teachers at lists.andrew.cmu.edu>> wrote:
>> Speaking as one who started teaching with Alice 2.2 at GCSU
>>
>> Alice 3 was confusing to someone who started with Alice 2.
>>
>>  It may have a slightly steeper learning curve which can be overcome for
>> the most part by a good teacher 8-)
>>
>> Best
>> Bob Durtschi
>> ________________________________________
>>
>> Hi Don
>>
>> Just clarifying, it is Tamara who believes Alice 3 can be confusing for
>> middle school students.
>>
>> Cheers
>> Margaret
>>
>>
>>
>> ------------------------------
>>
>> End of alice-teachers Digest, Vol 65, Issue 6
>> *********************************************
>> _______________________________________________
>> alice-teachers mailing list
>> alice-teachers at lists.andrew.cmu.edu
>> <mailto:alice-teachers at lists.andrew.cmu.edu>
>> https://lists.andrew.cmu.edu/mailman/listinfo/alice-teachers
>> <https://lists.andrew.cmu.edu/mailman/listinfo/alice-teachers>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Sincerely,
>> Tamara Mazza
>>
>> Computers - 6, 7, & 8th Grade
>> Student Government Advisor
>> Stallion Today (Middle and Lower School Daily Announcements)
>> Click here to View <http://www.useducationtv.com/default.aspx?sid=16072>
>>
>>  American Heritage School
>> Knowledge o Integrity o Compassion
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> alice-teachers mailing list
>> alice-teachers at lists.andrew.cmu.edu
>> https://lists.andrew.cmu.edu/mailman/listinfo/alice-teachers
>
>