Report on the use of PC Logo Programming with upper Primary pupil
Introduction PC Logo Programming is a very useful program that can be use to do various activities in school subject such as Arts & Crafts, Mathematics, Sciences and languages. Pupils will enjoy learning and exploring new things using this program and this will stimulate their creative thinking. This programming consists of a turtle figure which can be directed and moved using simple basic commands such as fd (forward), rt (right turn), lt (left turn) and cs (clear screen). To conduct and try out an activity using PC Logo Programming, I chose a Primary 5 pupil from SR Bukit Udal, Tutong. He is good in using computer and has prior knowledge on the concepts of shapes and angles.
Objectives The pupil will be able to: a) move the turtle and follow the basic commands given e.g. fd (steps),
rt (angle), lt (angle) etc. b) make different shapes using the basic and correct command.
Procedure The pupil was asked about his prior knowledge on shapes before he uses the Logo Programming. Next, pupil was introduced to the basic commands of the Logo Programming as follow:
Basic Command fd (number of steps)
Function to move the turtle forward
rt (number of degree)
to turn the turtle to right
lt (number of degree)
to turn the turtle to left
cs (enter)
to clear the screen
The pupil was then asked to do the activity and move the turtle to form some shapes like square, rectangle, triangle etc. He tried to make a square and manage to get it right at second attempt. At first trial he cannot turn the turtle correctly at the corner. I helped him by revising about the angles he has learnt at school and asked what is the degree angle if he wanted to get right angle? He got the idea and below is the command he used to draw a square:
He managed to draw a rectangle without my help because he knew that in a rectangle 2 sides are equal. When asked to draw a triangle he had difficulties. But after several attempts he managed to draw triangle regardless of ‘cheating’ he actually move the turtle slowly and repeat the command several time. He used the command as shown below:
Lastly I asked him to draw a circle. He tried to draw the shape but at last gave up and agreed that it was difficult to draw circle. I introduced him to another command that is repeat. Since limited of time, I do not have a chance to ask him to explore the command. Therefore, I just showed him some examples of shapes created using this command such as:
repeat 4 [fd 100 rt 90]
repeat 6 [fd 100 rt 120]
repeat 60 [fd 6 lt 6]
repeat 5 [fd 100 lt 144]
Conclusion
The pupil managed to draw simple basic shapes using the Logo programming because it is simple and fun to use. When I interviewed him he said that he enjoy using the program but admit that he need more help in using the right command. He also told me that he would like to explore and use this program in future. I recommended this Logo programming to be introduced to Upper Primary classes during ICT or any other lesson, so that pupils can explore and learn using this program. Pupils should be
given opportunities to explore and discover more shapes and interesting patterns or even their own creative designs using this Logo programming.