Alice-O

**Synopsys**

 * Experience of the class: Java, C, C++, C#, HTML, Logo, Basic
 * 3-D programming environment that allows the creation of animated stories/videos and games
 * Drag and Drop system so no knowledge of syntax required
 * Designed to be first introduction to object orientated programming
 * Similar to java/C++/C# so can readily switch to those languages

**Features**

 * Add objects to a 3-D world
 * Manipulate the objects to do motions, interact, or traverse a virtual world
 * Create games that react to the keyboard functions or mouse clicks
 * Add your own custom objects and methods to manipulate the people of the world

**Integration in the classroom**

 * It is //__FREE__//
 * Software so requires a computer but with minimal requires
 * Mac and PC //and// linux installable
 * Geared primarily to secondary/college students but [|Alice: Storytelling] can be used by 10 year olds
 * There are optional textbooks to aid in teaching Alice

**Barriers**

 * Initially viewed as highly specialized for programming
 * Optional textbooks are pricy - $65 for a single class
 * Large 300 meg installed but installation is simply unzip and run
 * Resilient staff who do not wish to learn new software

**Lesson Plans**

 * Program mini stories or games
 * Create 3-D animations similar to comic life
 * Teach math - coordinate planes, distances, 3 dimensional shapes and volumes
 * Teach Science - Ecosystems, molecule interactions, physic examples

**Future**
Learn the ideas of object orientated programming without syntax Highly flexible world allows manipulation of individual body parts Installable on both mac/pc Limited by the student’s imagination Easy to set up || Crude and archaic graphics may turn off some students Program can be buggy: crashes, not saving, randomly closing Learning Curve: Sometimes hard to get the characters to do exactly what you want Lots of abstract thinking and math is required –may be too difficult for students || Other Programs to Explore: [|Scratch], [|Mind Rovers,] Some flash program [Need to find from Kevin]
 * Alice 3, in partnership with EA and SUN, releasing beta Sept '09
 * Allows Programming Stages: Drag and Drop interface and graduated to syntax programming
 * Integration of Alice with Netbeans to allow importation of projects which can be edited in java
 * **Pro's** || **Con's** ||
 * Free