Algorithms 5: Algorithms Plugged - Spicy
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Please note: You must have a Scratch account before starting this project. If you do not already have an account with Scratch you will need to complete the Step-by-Step activity first.
In this project, you will be presented with broken or bugged programs. You will then need to debug these programs by reorganizing the algorithms of blocks to make them function as they should.
In Computer Science the term bug is used to explain an issue or problem with your code. This issue is causing your program to do something unexpected. A program is considered to be debugged when a coder fixes the bug and the program is now doing what it is expected to do.
In the next three steps, you will be presented with a bugged program that you will need to debug. Use the debugging process below to fix the issue!
The Debugging Process
No matter the bug, there is a simple set of questions that should be followed in order to solve the issue.
Ask yourself...
- What is the program supposed to do?
- What is the program doing?
- What is the problem (the bug)?
- What is causing the program to do the wrong thing?
- How can you debug the problem?
- Fix the bug
Notice that the first four steps do not include adjusting the code in any way. Before you start changing the code you must have completed the 4 steps!
Program: When the green flag is clicked, both Gobo and Scratch Cat should start dancing.
Bug: Only the Scratch Cat starts to dance.
Click here to Debug It!
After you have successfully debugged the program, click “remix” and “share” to save a version of it in your profile.
Reflection
☞ Explain how you solved the bug in this program
Program: Scratch Cat wants to show you a dance. When you click on him, he should do a dance while a\the drum beat plays along with him at the same time.
Identify and debug the bug in this program. Then click “remix” and “share” to save a version of it in your profile.
Reflection
☞ Describe what the bug was in this program
☞ Explain how you solved the bug in this program
Program: This program should draw a happy face using the Pen feature in Scratch
Click here to Debug it!
Identify and debug the bug in this program. Then click “remix” and “share” to save a version of it in your profile.
Reflection
☞ Describe what the bug was in this program
☞ Explain how you solved the bug in this program
Debugging is a foundational skill in Computer Science. In fact, it is a foundational skill for life! Sure, it is easy to follow an algorithm (set of steps) that is given to you, perhaps it might also be easy to build an algorithm of steps of your own.
However, Being able to identify an issue in any set of commands, isolating that issue and then manipulating it so that it solves your problem begins to open up more difficult concepts of Computational Thinking such as Abstraction.
Reflection
☞ Explain how using Scratch as a tool for Computational Thinking allowed you to better understand the use of Algorithms to solve problems.
☞ How could you apply concepts learned in Scratch to subjects you teach with your students?