HyperCard (used to be - Playing two HyperStudio sounds?)

Val Kirsis (wlrfvlk@northstar.k12.ak.us)
Mon, 12 Aug 1996 10:23:45 EDT

Actually, HyperCard can be INCREDIBLY EASY to teach. I've taught HyperCard
to nunmerous classes, have designed lots of informal practical lesson
plans, and even had to design/create a summer computer program to handle to
extra interest 'cause it could be fit into the normal school year. I've
taught HyperCard classes to students as low as 5 years old! Even
inexperienced 2nd/3rd graders have easily managed to learn to create
animated flipbooks and interactive games with moving buttons; 4th graders
have created complex quizzes complete with pop-up, context-sensitive help
using hidden text fields that are activated upon demand by the user, etc.
There are 5th graders creating sophisticated "Asteroids" type games
complete with flying meteors, user-controlled spaceships, laser beams that
intercept dodging UFO's. These may be only "games" to adults, but these
students have learned how to use higher learning skills such as computer
subroutines, concepts of triganometry/angles/velocity/accelrations,
conditional logic (If/Then/Else statements, etc). Their excitement over
mastering basic "programming" that many teachers unfortunately regard as
too complicated has led to amazing products. I can get just about any
student to begin creating HyperCard stacks within a single class session!
(granted they're rather simple stacks but they can do it).

I even now know 3rd/4th graders that I've trained who are "HyperCard
Experts". I'd estimate there are fewer than a dozen or so teachers in our
entire district (of more than 30 schools) who are better HyperCard authors
than some of these students. It's amazing what they can learn!!!

The biggest challenge is finding a good teaching approach. I have NEVER
found a SINGLE STUDENT in 3rd grade or above who a could NOT learn how to
use HyperCard easily AS LONG AS they were willing to learn (regardless of
previous experience). Combine ATTITUDE with a GOOD TEACHER, and you have
it made! At least that's been my experience. If you'd like any
tips/help/suggestions, E-Mail me privately. I'd be happy to help in any
way I can.

(...Val Kirsis)
wlrfvlk@northstar.k12.ak.us

In a message dated 96-08-08 03:36:50 EDT, Brad Pearl wrote:
>>many kids liked HyperStudio over HC because HS requires no
>>programming to do the basic functions. But that's all you can do with HS
>>unless you learn HyperLogo. For example, you can't have two sounds play
>>right after one another.

Jerry Taylor <JerryTaylr@aol.com> replied:
>I realize that your point want not specifically about HyperStudio. I think
>you were just trying to make a case for teaching HyperTalk to make more
>"advanced" things happen. I only explained the above to point out that there
>ARE often ways to accomplish what one wants to do STILL without having to
>resort to learning programming. Sometimes, it just takes a little time to
>"learn the tricks." ;-)