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Title: TURTLE: Default values for basic Turtle commands
Type: enhancement Stage:
Components: Library (Lib) Versions: Python 3.10
process
Status: open Resolution:
Dependencies: Superseder:
Assigned To: Nosy List: Bruce1979, gregorlingl, terry.reedy, willingc
Priority: normal Keywords:

Created on 2021-02-10 00:36 by Bruce1979, last changed 2022-04-11 14:59 by admin.

Messages (3)
msg386750 - (view) Author: Bruce Fuda (Bruce1979) Date: 2021-02-10 00:36
Since Python is being taught to students of all ages and in particular younger kids (i.e. 6 - 10 yo) who are learning not just python, but many related things for the first time, the need to include values as arguments to basic Turtle functions like:

forward()
backward()
left()
right()

adds additional complexity. The natural starting point for these types of activities with kids is a transition from the physical world of devices such as the Bee-bot (https://www.tts-international.com/bee-bot-programmable-floor-robot/1015268.html) which have pre-defined lengths (i.e. 15cm) and turn angles (i.e. 90 degrees) so that they can focus primarily on sequencing and learning commands without the cognitive load of additional information.

It would be an ideal starting point for the forward(), backward(), left() and right() commands to be overloaded such that there is a default value. This reduces the cognitive load for young students, because it instead means they can focus on learning basic commands, sequencing and syntax without also needing to understand angles and relative lengths.

Suggestion would be to set a default value for movement (i.e. forward and backward) of 50, and default angles for turning (left and right) of 90 degrees.

This simple (and trivial) change would massively help thousands of students get started with Python, without in any way impacting existing use of Turtle.
msg386894 - (view) Author: Terry J. Reedy (terry.reedy) * (Python committer) Date: 2021-02-13 00:31
Enhancements only go in future versions.
msg386977 - (view) Author: Bruce Fuda (Bruce1979) Date: 2021-02-14 23:38
Added turtle experts to nosy list
History
Date User Action Args
2022-04-11 14:59:41adminsetgithub: 87348
2021-02-14 23:38:14Bruce1979setnosy: + gregorlingl, willingc
messages: + msg386977
2021-02-13 00:31:10terry.reedysetnosy: + terry.reedy

messages: + msg386894
versions: - Python 3.6, Python 3.7, Python 3.8, Python 3.9
2021-02-10 00:36:45Bruce1979create