[Tuxmath-devel] [GSoC] Game Pitch - Feedback requested

[Thomas P. <tp...@el...>]

Hi Tux Math developers,

I'm a graduating senior at Elon University in North Carolina, moving on 
to graduate school in the fall at NC State. My undergraduate work has 
been in developing education video games, so I'm very interested in Tux 
Math. I'd love to pitch you an idea for a game and get feedback before 
the final application deadline on May 3rd.

Since most of your games focus on arithmetic, I thought it might be good 
to offer one that transitioned kids into algebraic thinking. I present 
the idea with some mockup images below (sorry I'm not much of an 
artist), but if the images don't go through in the email, I've included 
links as well.

The idea of the game is that we represent an equation as a series of 
blocks on either side of a dividing line (the equals sign):


Mockup image link: http://sdrv.ms/ZVtvQ5

Blocks can either represent a variable (Tux, in this case is /x/), a 
number, or an operation (like +3 or x2). How the blocks are stacked up 
represents order of operations. Kids solve the equation (and free Tux) 
by dragging  blocks from the left side of the equals sign to the other 
(which I thought would work well on the mobile platform). The catch is 
that when blocks cross the equals sign, they flip: addition becomes 
subtraction, multiplication becomes division, etc.). So by "dragging" +2 
to the other side, I'm really subtracting both sides by 2.


Mockup image link: http://sdrv.ms/ZVuAr7

Now the player needs to simplify the right side of the equation, which 
they can do by clicking on it:



Mockup image link: http://sdrv.ms/ZVuVKu

Once simplified, the two blocks (aka, the expression) combine into one 
number:


Mockup image: http://sdrv.ms/ZVv1lf

The player continues this until the left had side of the equation is 
empty except for the variable:


Mock up link: http://sdrv.ms/ZVv7cE


Mock up link: http://sdrv.ms/ZVvaoH

At this point the player has solved the equation. In this case, x = 2. 
The original equation is still visible, so the player can check their work.

Just like in other Tux Math games, the we can add story, score and time 
mechanics to make the gameplay more fun. One advantage is that the 
player doesn't necessarily have to understand algebra to play the game 
at first, but can just drag the blocks that can be moved and simplify 
expression with the arithmetic they've learned in earlier Tux games. But 
they are practicing algebra, and if they can make the connection back to 
the equation above, they can certainly apply it to the classroom.

Thank you so much for you time, and I appreciate any and all feedback!
-Thomas Price