Difference between revisions of "PacMath"

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==Introduction==
 
==Introduction==
PacMath is an educational game based off a well known 80's arcade game. Using the original game concept PacMath will add fourth grade level math to the fun and exciting arcade game in order to make learning fun.  The game will provide the student with different problems and in order to solve the problem correctly the student will have to eat the enemy with the correct answer.
+
PacMath is an educational math game based off the well-known 80's arcade game PacMan. In addition to the original game mechanics, PacMath will add fourth grade level math to this fun and exciting arcade game in order to make learning fun.  PacMath will provide the student with different type math problems and in order to solve the problem correctly the student will have to eat the ghost with the correct answer.
===Sketch Up===
+
 
 +
==Sketch Up==
  
 
[[Image:PacMath.jpg|200px|thumb|left|alt=startscreen|Version 1]]
 
[[Image:PacMath.jpg|200px|thumb|left|alt=startscreen|Version 1]]
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[[Image:Pacman-mockup.jpg|frame|none|alt=eatscreen|Version 3]]
 
[[Image:Pacman-mockup.jpg|frame|none|alt=eatscreen|Version 3]]
  
[[Image:Pacmath2.gif]]
+
[[Image:PacMath3.PNG]]
  
 
==Objective==
 
==Objective==
The objective of this project is to incorporate the teachings of fourth grade mathematics to students through PacMath, a fun, interactive, mathematical game based on the 1980's popular arcade game. One of our main objectives is making PacMath flexible where the teacher will be allowed to create its own group of questions and not be forced to use only a set group of questions. This would allow more flexibility in the learning plan for the teacher.
+
The objective of PacMath is to use the basic mechanics of the 80's arcade game PacMan to teach fourth grade math skills. Currently, PacMath randomly generates questions using the four basic arithmetic functions (add, subtract, multiply, divide), up through the 12 times tables. In the future, we hope to build in functionality that will allow teachers to generate their own custom questions which will allow them to tailor PacMath to their curriculum.
  
 
==Education==
 
==Education==
  
[[Media: PacMath Lesson Plan.pdf]]
+
[[Media: PacMath_Lesson_Plan.doc]]
  
 
Current Standards to be addressed with in this project: <br>
 
Current Standards to be addressed with in this project: <br>
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*4.N.2 - Represent, order, and compare large numbers (to at least 100,000) using various forms, including expanded notation, e.g., 853 = 8 x 100 + 5 x 10 + 3.  
 
*4.N.2 - Represent, order, and compare large numbers (to at least 100,000) using various forms, including expanded notation, e.g., 853 = 8 x 100 + 5 x 10 + 3.  
 
*4.N.8 - Select, use, and explain various meanings and models of multiplication and division of whole numbers. Understand and use the inverse relationship between the two operations.
 
*4.N.8 - Select, use, and explain various meanings and models of multiplication and division of whole numbers. Understand and use the inverse relationship between the two operations.
*4.N.9 - Select, use, and explain the commutative, associative, and identity properties of operations on whole numbers in problem situations, e.g., 37 x 46 = 46 x 37, (5 x 7) x 2 =      5 x (7 x 2).
 
 
*4.N.11 - Know multiplication facts through 12 x 12 and related division facts. Use these facts to solve related multiplication problems and compute related problems, e.g., 3 x 5 is related to 30 x 50, 300 x 5, and 30 x 500.  
 
*4.N.11 - Know multiplication facts through 12 x 12 and related division facts. Use these facts to solve related multiplication problems and compute related problems, e.g., 3 x 5 is related to 30 x 50, 300 x 5, and 30 x 500.  
 
*4.N.12 - Add and subtract (up to five-digit numbers) and multiply (up to three digits by two digits) accurately and efficiently.  
 
*4.N.12 - Add and subtract (up to five-digit numbers) and multiply (up to three digits by two digits) accurately and efficiently.  
 +
*4.N.13 - Divide up to a three-digit whole number with a single-digit divisor (with or without remainders) accurately and efficiently. Interpret any remainders
  
 
[http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/math/2000/final.pdf Link to Mass. Department of Education]
 
[http://www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/math/2000/final.pdf Link to Mass. Department of Education]
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==Game Elements==
 
==Game Elements==
 
;Activity Icon
 
;Activity Icon
[[Image: Pacmath-icon.svg|frame|none|alt=startscreen|Version 1]]
+
[[Image: Pacmath-icon.svg|frame|none|alt=startscreen|Version 1]] [[Image: Pacmath-icon_copy.svg|frame|none|alt=startscreen|Version 2]]
[[Image: Pacmath-icon_copy.svg|frame|none|alt=startscreen|Version 2]]
 
  
 
==How It Works==
 
==How It Works==
  
[[Media: PacMan_User_Manual.pdf]]
+
[[Media: PacMath_User_Manual.doc]]
  
 
*One Player
 
*One Player
*Board Setup like the Original Arcade Game (one Maze currently, more to be added)
+
*Board Setup like the Original Arcade Game
*If the player eats a Power Pellet (4 per level)
+
*Question Appears (3 per level)
**Question Appears (4 per level -> 1 per Power Pellet)
+
**If the player eats a Power Pellet (4 per level) the ghosts freeze for a few seconds
**After the four Power Pellets have been eaten and answered correctly, a new 'level' (so to speak) begins
+
**Player has to eat the Enemy with the correct answer
**Player has to eat the Enemy with the correct answer (answers will be displayed on the enemies throughout the entire 'level'
+
**If the player eats the wrong answer they lose a life, and continue playing, the ghost is warped back to its spawn point
**If the player eats the wrong answer they lose a token and return to the center of the maze, lose a life, and continue playing
+
**If the player eats 100 regular pellets they gain a life
**If the player eats 100 (may change) regular pellets they gain a life
 
 
***A life is an answer attempt, if you run out of lives the game ends
 
***A life is an answer attempt, if you run out of lives the game ends
 +
**After the three ghosts have been eaten and answered correctly, a new 'level' (so to speak) begins
 +
***At the start of each level, three questions are generated of random operation type (+, -, /, x)
 +
 
*Questions
 
*Questions
 
**Random question generation
 
**Random question generation
**The answer will have a digit limit (thinking 3-5 digits)
+
**The answer has a programmable limit (12 by default)
**Types
+
**Current Types
 
***Multiplication tables
 
***Multiplication tables
 
***Division tables
 
***Division tables
 
***Addition tables
 
***Addition tables
 
***Subtraction tables
 
***Subtraction tables
 +
**Future Types
 
***Order of operations
 
***Order of operations
 
***Inequalities (given a number, find which ghost's answer is greater than or less than the number)
 
***Inequalities (given a number, find which ghost's answer is greater than or less than the number)
 
***Basic Algebra problems (solve for x)
 
***Basic Algebra problems (solve for x)
 +
***Fractions
  
 
===Features===
 
===Features===
 
*PacMath
 
*PacMath
 
**User will control a yellow sprite
 
**User will control a yellow sprite
**User will attempt to touch numbered sprites based on mathematical questions
+
**User will attempt to "eat" numbered sprites based on mathematical questions
 
*Question sets
 
*Question sets
**Student picks question type at game start
+
**Question type randomly generated at game start
**Instructor will be able to see the rankings of a particular student?
+
*Future Features
*Ranking
+
**Instructor will be able to see the rankings of a particular student
 +
**Student or teacher will be able to choose question type
 
**Top 10 scores will be recorded and displayed while game is paused
 
**Top 10 scores will be recorded and displayed while game is paused
*Speed setting as well?
+
**Adjustable speed (faster for more of a challenge)
  
 
===Controls===
 
===Controls===
User will be able to interact with the game through two input devices
+
User will be able to interact with the game through the keyboard
 
*Keyboard
 
*Keyboard
 
**UP-ARROW will move sprite up
 
**UP-ARROW will move sprite up
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**RIGHT-ARROW will move sprite right
 
**RIGHT-ARROW will move sprite right
 
**LEFT-ARROW will move sprite left
 
**LEFT-ARROW will move sprite left
**P will pause and resume the game while displaying Rankings
+
**P will pause and resume the game
*Game-Pad
+
*Future Controls - GameBoy mode
 
**UP-ANGLE will move sprite up
 
**UP-ANGLE will move sprite up
 
**DOWN-ANGLE will move sprite down
 
**DOWN-ANGLE will move sprite down
 
**RIGHT-ANGLE will move sprite right
 
**RIGHT-ANGLE will move sprite right
 
**LEFT-ANGLE will move sprite left
 
**LEFT-ANGLE will move sprite left
**SQUARE will pause and resume the game while displaying Rankings
+
**SQUARE will pause and resume the game
  
==Code Structure Plan==
+
==Developer Information==
  
Update: 2/25/2010, as of this date we have our latest up to date code structure with comments and modules on the following website [http://people.rit.edu/yah3133/ http://people.rit.edu/yah3133/]
+
===Code Structure===
  
We will be using a mix and match of two existing classic arcade games implemented in Python.
+
Update: 11/16/2010, Current documentation is located at [http://mikekitson.com/pacmath/ http://mikekitson.com/pacmath/]
The first one is from [http://www-inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~cs188/fa07/projects/search/searchproject.html Berkeley.edu] and it is a very simple implementation. The second game comes from [http://pinproject.com/pacman/pacman.htm PyGames] and it is more complicated in its design and implementation. We will be using a bit of both to try to come up with an optimal one that would work at a good speed in the XO.
 
  
 +
Update: <s>2/25/2010, as of this date we have our latest up to date code structure with comments and modules on the following website [http://people.rit.edu/yah3133/ http://people.rit.edu/yah3133/]</s>
  
 +
Components:
 
*Question generation
 
*Question generation
 
*Mazes
 
*Mazes
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*Setup (for loading on the XO)
 
*Setup (for loading on the XO)
  
==Development==
+
===Development===
 
The code for this project is located at the [http://git.sugarlabs.org/projects/pacmath Git.SugarLabs.org] repositories.  
 
The code for this project is located at the [http://git.sugarlabs.org/projects/pacmath Git.SugarLabs.org] repositories.  
  
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* [[user:dxr4305|Dennis Rodriguez]], email: dxr4305 [at] rit.edu
 
* [[user:dxr4305|Dennis Rodriguez]], email: dxr4305 [at] rit.edu
  
==Bugs==
+
====Contribute====
* Collision detection does not always work - look into other pygame modules for collision detection?
+
 
* It seems that our PacMan sprite can only eat two ghosties and answer two questions, then the game just continues, collision detection doesn't work and a new question can never be answered
+
To help contribute to PacMath, check out the code and contact
 +
 
 +
* [[user:classclownfish|Abbi Honeycutt]], email: amh7732 [at] rit.edu
 +
* [[user:Michael_Kitson|Michael Kitson]], email: msk5293 [at] rit.edu
 +
 
 +
===Bugs/Todo===
 +
*Game size is not the proper size for the XO (too small)
 +
**Potential Fix: Increase block size from 25px to 33px
 +
***Grid stays 25x25, each point on the grid is 33x33
 +
***Right hand answer frame increases to 375px in width (from 275px)
 +
***Bottom question frame stays 75px in height
 +
*Support input via alternate controls while in ebook mode
 +
**Directional angles and square button to pause
 +
*Permanent Documentation solution is required
 +
**non-personal site
 +
**run epydoc nightly for up-to-date documentation
  
 
==Milestones - Fall 2010==
 
==Milestones - Fall 2010==
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<br/>
 
<br/>
 
* Week 8
 
* Week 8
** Document game idea and play (2 hrs)
+
** <s>Document game idea and play (2 hrs)</s> - see wiki
** Implement pause screen (2 hrs)
+
** <s>Implement pause screen (2 hrs)</s>
 
** <s>Decide on feedback mechanism (Score, Lives, …)</s> (1 hr) - Lives, as documented earlier
 
** <s>Decide on feedback mechanism (Score, Lives, …)</s> (1 hr) - Lives, as documented earlier
** Random question generation (2 hrs)
+
** <s>Random question generation (2 hrs)</s>
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
* Week 9
 
* Week 9
 
** <s>Sugarize the activity (5 hrs)</s> - VTE widget, temporary solution?
 
** <s>Sugarize the activity (5 hrs)</s> - VTE widget, temporary solution?
** Implement multiple level capability (5 hrs)
+
** <s>Implement multiple level capability</s> (5 hrs)
** Refactor collision detection system (5 hrs)
+
** <s>Refactor collision detection system</s> (5 hrs)
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
* Week 10
 
* Week 10
** Improve game speed (5 hrs)
+
** <s>Improve game speed</s> (5 hrs) - runs great on the XO!
** Beautify game, intuitively redesign the UI (5 hrs)
+
** <s>Beautify game, intuitively redesign the UI</s> (5 hrs)
** Refine ghost movement (5 hrs)
+
** Refine ghost movement (5 hrs) - deemed out of scope for current time frame
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
* Week 11
 
* Week 11
 
** Finishing touches (2 hrs)
 
** Finishing touches (2 hrs)
** Usability testing (2 hrs)
+
** <s>Usability testing</s> (2 hrs) - delayed until sized to XO
** Release evaluation (1 hr)
+
** <s>Release evaluation</s> (1 hr) - delayed until sized to XO
** Potential release (1 hr)
+
** <s>Potential release</s> (1 hr) - delayed until sized to XO
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
Division of Labor:
 
Division of Labor:
Line 165: Line 186:
 
*Abbi:
 
*Abbi:
 
** Sugarization
 
** Sugarization
 +
** New Images
 
** Map/Maze representation
 
** Map/Maze representation
 
<br>
 
<br>
Line 238: Line 260:
  
 
== License ==
 
== License ==
 +
All of PacMath is licensed
 
http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-sa/3.0/88x31.png
 
http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-sa/3.0/88x31.png
 
<br/>
 
<br/>
 
[http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/]
 
[http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/]

Latest revision as of 11:12, 16 November 2010

Status: Active
development in progress (restarted)
Group Members: Michael Kitson, Abbi Honeycutt
Fourth grade level math game based on the classic arcade game PacMan
PacMath

Last updated February 25, 2010

Introduction

PacMath is an educational math game based off the well-known 80's arcade game PacMan. In addition to the original game mechanics, PacMath will add fourth grade level math to this fun and exciting arcade game in order to make learning fun. PacMath will provide the student with different type math problems and in order to solve the problem correctly the student will have to eat the ghost with the correct answer.

Sketch Up

startscreen
Version 1
startscreen
Version 2
eatscreen
Version 2
eatscreen
Version 3

PacMath3.PNG

Objective

The objective of PacMath is to use the basic mechanics of the 80's arcade game PacMan to teach fourth grade math skills. Currently, PacMath randomly generates questions using the four basic arithmetic functions (add, subtract, multiply, divide), up through the 12 times tables. In the future, we hope to build in functionality that will allow teachers to generate their own custom questions which will allow them to tailor PacMath to their curriculum.

Education

Media: PacMath_Lesson_Plan.doc

Current Standards to be addressed with in this project:
(As per standards of the Massachusetts Department of Education)

  • 4.N.2 - Represent, order, and compare large numbers (to at least 100,000) using various forms, including expanded notation, e.g., 853 = 8 x 100 + 5 x 10 + 3.
  • 4.N.8 - Select, use, and explain various meanings and models of multiplication and division of whole numbers. Understand and use the inverse relationship between the two operations.
  • 4.N.11 - Know multiplication facts through 12 x 12 and related division facts. Use these facts to solve related multiplication problems and compute related problems, e.g., 3 x 5 is related to 30 x 50, 300 x 5, and 30 x 500.
  • 4.N.12 - Add and subtract (up to five-digit numbers) and multiply (up to three digits by two digits) accurately and efficiently.
  • 4.N.13 - Divide up to a three-digit whole number with a single-digit divisor (with or without remainders) accurately and efficiently. Interpret any remainders

Link to Mass. Department of Education

Game Elements

Activity Icon
startscreen
Version 1
startscreen
Version 2

How It Works

Media: PacMath_User_Manual.doc

  • One Player
  • Board Setup like the Original Arcade Game
  • Question Appears (3 per level)
    • If the player eats a Power Pellet (4 per level) the ghosts freeze for a few seconds
    • Player has to eat the Enemy with the correct answer
    • If the player eats the wrong answer they lose a life, and continue playing, the ghost is warped back to its spawn point
    • If the player eats 100 regular pellets they gain a life
      • A life is an answer attempt, if you run out of lives the game ends
    • After the three ghosts have been eaten and answered correctly, a new 'level' (so to speak) begins
      • At the start of each level, three questions are generated of random operation type (+, -, /, x)
  • Questions
    • Random question generation
    • The answer has a programmable limit (12 by default)
    • Current Types
      • Multiplication tables
      • Division tables
      • Addition tables
      • Subtraction tables
    • Future Types
      • Order of operations
      • Inequalities (given a number, find which ghost's answer is greater than or less than the number)
      • Basic Algebra problems (solve for x)
      • Fractions

Features

  • PacMath
    • User will control a yellow sprite
    • User will attempt to "eat" numbered sprites based on mathematical questions
  • Question sets
    • Question type randomly generated at game start
  • Future Features
    • Instructor will be able to see the rankings of a particular student
    • Student or teacher will be able to choose question type
    • Top 10 scores will be recorded and displayed while game is paused
    • Adjustable speed (faster for more of a challenge)

Controls

User will be able to interact with the game through the keyboard

  • Keyboard
    • UP-ARROW will move sprite up
    • DOWN-ARROW will move sprite down
    • RIGHT-ARROW will move sprite right
    • LEFT-ARROW will move sprite left
    • P will pause and resume the game
  • Future Controls - GameBoy mode
    • UP-ANGLE will move sprite up
    • DOWN-ANGLE will move sprite down
    • RIGHT-ANGLE will move sprite right
    • LEFT-ANGLE will move sprite left
    • SQUARE will pause and resume the game

Developer Information

Code Structure

Update: 11/16/2010, Current documentation is located at http://mikekitson.com/pacmath/

Update: 2/25/2010, as of this date we have our latest up to date code structure with comments and modules on the following website http://people.rit.edu/yah3133/

Components:

  • Question generation
  • Mazes
  • Player
  • Enemies
  • Game (control)
  • Activity (main)
  • Setup (for loading on the XO)

Development

The code for this project is located at the Git.SugarLabs.org repositories.

The current development group includes:

The former group of project members included:

Contribute

To help contribute to PacMath, check out the code and contact

Bugs/Todo

  • Game size is not the proper size for the XO (too small)
    • Potential Fix: Increase block size from 25px to 33px
      • Grid stays 25x25, each point on the grid is 33x33
      • Right hand answer frame increases to 375px in width (from 275px)
      • Bottom question frame stays 75px in height
  • Support input via alternate controls while in ebook mode
    • Directional angles and square button to pause
  • Permanent Documentation solution is required
    • non-personal site
    • run epydoc nightly for up-to-date documentation

Milestones - Fall 2010

  • Week 7
    • Gain git access (.5 hrs)
    • Evaluate game direction and idea (2 hrs)
    • Determine whether to reuse or refuse the current PacMath code (.5 hrs) - Reuse


  • Week 8
    • Document game idea and play (2 hrs) - see wiki
    • Implement pause screen (2 hrs)
    • Decide on feedback mechanism (Score, Lives, …) (1 hr) - Lives, as documented earlier
    • Random question generation (2 hrs)


  • Week 9
    • Sugarize the activity (5 hrs) - VTE widget, temporary solution?
    • Implement multiple level capability (5 hrs)
    • Refactor collision detection system (5 hrs)


  • Week 10
    • Improve game speed (5 hrs) - runs great on the XO!
    • Beautify game, intuitively redesign the UI (5 hrs)
    • Refine ghost movement (5 hrs) - deemed out of scope for current time frame


  • Week 11
    • Finishing touches (2 hrs)
    • Usability testing (2 hrs) - delayed until sized to XO
    • Release evaluation (1 hr) - delayed until sized to XO
    • Potential release (1 hr) - delayed until sized to XO


Division of Labor:

  • Mike:
    • Ghost movement
    • Implementation of feedback mechanism
    • Implement pause screen


  • Abbi:
    • Sugarization
    • New Images
    • Map/Maze representation


  • Both:
    • Game design and idea
    • Collision Detection
    • Game Speed
    • UI redesign

Milestones - Winter 2009

Weeks correspond to RIT Quarter Schedule

  • Week 6 ( January 15th 2010 - January 22nd 2010 )
    • Get git working on git.sugarlabs.org
    • Finish adding details to the PacMath Wiki
    • Make a Sketch-Up for the game
    • E-mail Math4 Mailing List informing everyone about our project and ask for ideas and volunteers


  • Week 7 ( January 22nd 2010 - January 29th 2010 )
    • Get all the code sections defined well
    • Split up code sections
    • Start initial basic coding
    • Test an initial simple blank screen


  • Week 8 ( January 29th 2010 - February 5th 2010 )
    • Test segments of PacMath
      • Just Maze
      • Just PacMath
      • Just Enemies


  • Week 9 ( February 5th 2010 - February 12th 2010 )
    • Test the basic activity
    • Put the pieces together
    • User Group Test
    • Pick a License for the project


  • Week 10 ( February 12th 2010 - February 19th 2010 )
    • Wrap Up


  • Week 11 ( February 19th 2010 - February 26th 2010 )
    • Final Push!
    • Final presentation

Community

Feedback from the community

Gary (January 21, 2010)

The PacMath sketches look great, can't wait to give it a play through :-)
Regarding questions/game settings, make sure you have a play of Walter's VisualMatch activity and see how the toolbar provides lots of flexibility to the game challenge type. It would seem like a good approach to let the user choose the starting case (perhaps via a teachers verbal guidance in class) and then have the general math difficulty level increase as they complete level to level. It would be very desirable if you would perform the gettext internationalization (i18n) that is needed to get this set up in Pootle for localization into other languages (i.e. generate POT file, set po directory in git repo, make user:pootle a committer, file Trac bug with component = localization requesting Pootle hosting, etc.). Cjl 07:01, 12 February 2010 (UTC)

Walter Bender (February 11, 2010)

I would recommend you look at how other pygame-based activities are
packaged. For example, Maze.

Tomeu Vizoso (February 12, 2010)

Also, Jim's book could help clarifying several concepts, though I
don't see anything specific to pygame/sugargame.

Jim Simmons (February 12, 2010)

There is a project in Gitorious that sounds like it might be of use to you:
http://git.sugarlabs.org/projects/sugargame
I haven't tried it myself, but the description sounds promising.

License

All of PacMath is licensed 88x31.png
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/us/