Green Globs: A Microcomputer Application for Graphing of Equations

Abstract

This paper outlines the development of an activity that uses the computer's unique capabilities to provide students with a meaningful and highly motivating experience with the graphing of equations. The basic design of the game calls for the computer to display a coordinate grid on which it graphs any equations that are typed in by the student. Thirteen "Green Globs," each about .7 units in diameter, are scattered about the grid. The goal of the game is to explode all of the green globs by hitting them with graphs specified by typing in equations. If a shot misses the expected targets, diagnostic feedback is provided to debug the ideas used. The game is scored using an algorithm which encourages cleverly planned shots and provides a wide range of achievable scores. The decision to exclude the possibility of trigonometry functions in favor of other options is discussed. A provision of the game allows students to view any of the ten top scoring games and see what shots and strategies the top players have used. Highlights of classroom use of Green Globs are provided, including descriptions of techniques used by some of the more advanced students. One reference is cited. (CHC)