Python Scripting

[plakboek]

We have installed a suite of different programming tools on all the college computers.

• Alice has some GUI tools to move images around a screen in order to create a 3D story.
• Ren'Py supports the creation of visual novels. 

Alice and Ren'Py both use Python scripting to make things 'work' both come with a built-in tutorial to get the students started. They include some sample activities and an interactive tutorial to get students started.

These seem to be very engaging tools for my middle school students. I have not done an extensive literature review but from what I have read so far, presenting programming in a storytelling context is a great way to engage and motivate girls. Lindy McKeown mentioned something along this line at the 2008 VITTA conference keynote address. Oddly enough, some of the boys related to these games from their use of Adventure Quest, an online flash based game.