[[:en:start|►Main page]], [[:en:obrada|Previous page]] ====== Programming primer ====== ** Play ** Topic: **How a computer works? ** **11 and 12 period ** ===== Scenario „My computer“ =====


Comment for the teacher:
- In this moment a lot of programming concepts has been all ready introduced. For better understanding how a computer works a play on stage could be helpful.
  The children play different roles of computer components, and one child plays the user.
- The goal of this play is a better adoption of all acquired knowledge, and this play could be executed on a school performance for other students and parents.
- This performance can be combined together with an exposition of drawings from the first two periods.

My computer (Play in one act) In this play are used 4 stage props: * MEMA (picture 1.): This is a chest of drawers made of 9 shoe boxes. The drawers can be opened and closed, and ball like tennis balls can be stored in them. Every drawer is colored with a different color, and it is necessary that three drawers are colored in blue, red and green (other can be of any other color), * ** ** Four posters with programs for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. (Picture 2), * About 10 balls - size as tennis balls, * A sheet of paper and a thick felt pen (for writing result). {{:wiki:mema_engl.jpg?400x208}} Picture 1. Mema made of shoe boxes ** Programs (Picture 2.) ** {{:en:play_slika1.jpg?nolink&851x469}} Picture 2. Programs for four arithmetic operation The roles may play boys or girls. There are four roles: User, INPUT, OUTPUT and PROCESSING. INPUT, OUTPUT and PROCESSING have on their breasts large labels with their roles. With this equipment the play may start: Ros: - User - Processing - Input - Output On the stage are Mema, a basket with balls and posters. Input, Output and Processing slumber. On the stage enter User. **USER: **


My computer, as you'll see
is obedient to me.
I tell it what I want,
that is my input
The program crunches data
and gives me the output.

**INPUT, OUTPUT, and PROCESSING: **


We will be patient
Your wish is our command
Just let us know
what do you demand.

**OUTPUT:**


So, what do you want?

**USER:**


What can you do?

**OUTPUT:**


Here's a list of programs that are for you ready.
Some are bought, some are leased
and one was written by your daddy.
And there is also a tiny one
but looks like it is all well done.

**USER (to audience):**


I am proud to say
I wrote it yesterday!

**INPUT, OUTPUT, and PROCESSING:**


We will be patient
Your wish is our command
Just let us know
what do you demand.

**USER:**


I want my program.

**INPUT:**


I do not know
What he (she) wants!

**PROCESSING:**


And for me this is mission impossible!

**OUTPUT:**


Request denied.
Please give a clearer request.

**INPUT, OUTPUT, and PROCESSING:**


We are a machine,
we are not that smart,
you need to tell us clearly
back from the start.
We will be patient
Your wish is our command
Just let us know
what do you demand.

**USER:**


My computer, I'm afraid.
is not as smart as mom or dad,
I made the program it's plain to see,
but it can't even recognize me!

Oh well... Start the program „Addition“!

**INPUT:**


He (she) wants „Addition“!

**INPUT, OUTPUT, and PROCESSING:** (Look among the programs and choose Addition. They hang the program on the wall.)


We will be patient
Your wish is our command
Just tell us two numbers,
for the sum that you demand.

**USER:**


Two and three.

**INPUT ** (While talking puts the balls in the drawers of Mema):


Two in the blue,
Three in the red,
The program tells me so,
and there they go.

**PROCESSING:**


I am the brain of this machine,
and now it is my turn.
I spin the wheels behind the scene
results are what I churn.
Here we need to add the balls
From boxes red and blue
The sum goes in the green box.
(Fills in the green drawer.)

I'm done, over to you (points at output).

**OUTPUT:**


You would not know the sum
If it was not for me,
The sum is locked in the machine
You need me to set it free.

(Looks in the green drawer, writes a big number 5 on a piece of paper, shows it to the audience, and say out loud:) Five! **INPUT, OUTPUT, and PROCESSING:**


This is done.
Now once again
We will be patient
Your wish is our command
Just let us know
what do you demand.

(A voice behind the stage calls the user by name.) **USER:**


Timmy is calling me
He wants me to play
I will write the next program
on another day.

(Shuts down the computer.)

You are kind and you don't mind.

(Runs away.) ** The END ** // Comment: // Rehearsing of the play is very useful. There is a possibility to include children, who have perhaps problem with mathematics, but like to act, or those who like to do something manually, to include them in preparing of requisites (Mema and posters). * Possibilities are boundless, and they all encourage teem work and creativity of children. ===== More advanced use of MEMA ===== Clicking the link MORE ADVANCED USE OF MEMA you can go to the next lesson.