[issue43182] TURTLE: Default values for basic Turtle commands

[Bruce Fuda]

New submission from Bruce Fuda <bruce at fuda.me>:

Since Python is being taught to students of all ages and in particular younger kids (i.e. 6 - 10 yo) who are learning not just python, but many related things for the first time, the need to include values as arguments to basic Turtle functions like:

forward()
backward()
left()
right()

adds additional complexity. The natural starting point for these types of activities with kids is a transition from the physical world of devices such as the Bee-bot (https://www.tts-international.com/bee-bot-programmable-floor-robot/1015268.html) which have pre-defined lengths (i.e. 15cm) and turn angles (i.e. 90 degrees) so that they can focus primarily on sequencing and learning commands without the cognitive load of additional information.

It would be an ideal starting point for the forward(), backward(), left() and right() commands to be overloaded such that there is a default value. This reduces the cognitive load for young students, because it instead means they can focus on learning basic commands, sequencing and syntax without also needing to understand angles and relative lengths.

Suggestion would be to set a default value for movement (i.e. forward and backward) of 50, and default angles for turning (left and right) of 90 degrees.

This simple (and trivial) change would massively help thousands of students get started with Python, without in any way impacting existing use of Turtle.

----------
components: Library (Lib)
messages: 386750
nosy: Bruce1979
priority: normal
severity: normal
status: open
title: TURTLE: Default values for basic Turtle commands
type: enhancement
versions: Python 3.10, Python 3.6, Python 3.7, Python 3.8, Python 3.9

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Python tracker <report at bugs.python.org>
<https://bugs.python.org/issue43182>
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