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
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