Report on the use of PC Logo Programming

with upper Primary pupil

Introduction

PC Logo Programming is a very useful program that can be use to do

various activities in school subject such as Arts & Crafts, Mathematics,
Sciences and languages. Pupils will enjoy learning and exploring new
things using this program and this will stimulate their creative thinking.

This programming consists of a turtle figure which can be directed and

moved using simple basic commands such as fd (forward), rt (right turn), lt
(left turn) and cs (clear screen).

To conduct and try out an activity using PC Logo Programming, I chose a

Primary 5 pupil from SR Bukit Udal, Tutong. He is good in using computer
and has prior knowledge on the concepts of shapes and angles.

Objectives

The pupil will be able to:

a) move the turtle and follow the basic commands given e.g. fd (steps),
rt (angle), lt (angle) etc.

b) make different shapes using the basic and correct command.

Procedure

The pupil was asked about his prior knowledge on shapes before he uses

the Logo Programming. Next, pupil was introduced to the basic commands

of the Logo Programming as follow:

 Basic Command Function

fd (number of steps) to move the turtle forward

rt (number of degree) to turn the turtle to right

lt (number of degree) to turn the turtle to left

cs (enter) to clear the screen

The pupil was then asked to do the activity and move the turtle to form

some shapes like square, rectangle, triangle etc. He tried to make a

square and manage to get it right at second attempt. At first trial he

cannot turn the turtle correctly at the corner. I helped him by revising

about the angles he has learnt at school and asked what is the degree

angle if he wanted to get right angle? He got the idea and below is the

command he used to draw a square:

He managed to draw a rectangle without my help because he knew that in
a rectangle 2 sides are equal. When asked to draw a triangle he had
difficulties. But after several attempts he managed to draw triangle
regardless of ‘cheating’ he actually move the turtle slowly and repeat the
command several time. He used the command as shown below:

Lastly I asked him to draw a circle. He tried to draw the shape but at last
gave up and agreed that it was difficult to draw circle. I introduced him to
another command that is repeat. Since limited of time, I do not have a
chance to ask him to explore the command. Therefore, I just showed him
some examples of shapes created using this command such as:
 repeat 4 [fd 100 rt 90]

repeat 6 [fd 100 rt 120]

repeat 60 [fd 6 lt 6]

repeat 5 [fd 100 lt 144]

Conclusion

The pupil managed to draw simple basic shapes using the Logo
programming because it is simple and fun to use. When I interviewed him
he said that he enjoy using the program but admit that he need more help
in using the right command. He also told me that he would like to explore
and use this program in future. I recommended this Logo programming to
be introduced to Upper Primary classes during ICT or any other lesson, so
that pupils can explore and learn using this program. Pupils should be
given opportunities to explore and discover more shapes and interesting
patterns or even their own creative designs using this Logo programming.