[Microbit-Python] Accessor API design on the micro:bit

[Carol Willing]

On 11/1/15 5:39 AM, Michael wrote:
>
> Having read everything you've said (and agreeing with a lot of it), I 
> think you're coming at this from the perspective of "this person/child 
> is motivated to do this". I'm coming at it from the perspective of 
> someone who doesn't yet know they could enjoy this, and has simply had 
> this set as homework for the weekend initially, and there's two 
> outcomes (out of many) that spring to mind. The one that goes home and 
> finds "this is easier than I expected" and *plays* all weekend with 
> it, and the one that goes home and finds it really difficult all 
> weekend for reasons none of us expected or predicted, and spends all 
> weekend fighting it and comes in demoralised. The former is full of 
> win, the latter isn't. And to be clear, I fully expect that both ends 
> of the spectrum will exist if you're going to everyone in an age group.
>

Hi Michael,

I loved your response. Let me add a little perspective on my personal 
philosophy and why I asked the question if all 3 approaches for the 
accelerometer (only) could be implemented.

I have spent the better part of the last 25 years doing outreach with 
students of all ages - all skill levels, all motivation levels, and 
across many different demographic axes. I understand what it is like to 
work with "at risk" youth, children that have come from abusive living 
environments, children that are not engaged, children that have been 
told "they can't". For those children, it's a delicate dance between 
building trust, offering choice, providing structure through firm (but 
still gentle) boundaries.

I have worked with preteen and teen girls that have been told they can't 
because they are not good in math, science, or whatever. I spend time 
with them creating possibilities to bridge their interests to the real 
world impacts of tech. Sometimes it's cracking open the door to 
possibilities, sometimes it is reopening a door that has been slammed 
shut many times.

I have also worked with children with autism and aspergers. I have been 
blessed to see what they create, their pride, and their struggles 
through sensory overstimulation and frustration.

Flexibility and including all children are my two motivating factors.

Honestly, I will make do with whatever materials that I have. I'm just 
trying to broaden the discussion from the binary or "either-or" thinking 
that comes naturally to many of us in the software/engineering world and 
tap into the creativity and many options that we use to prototype and 
iterate :D

Warmly,
Carol
"Humble" door opener

-- 
*Carol Willing*
Developer | Willing Consulting
https://willingconsulting.com
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