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Making PIXIE work
By pressing buttons you can make PIXIE pause or move forward, backward, left and right.
Press Go to tell it to start a program.
Press CM to make it forget its program.
You can stop PIXIE urgently by pressing any button.
This is a game for children who have previously programmed PIXIE to travel forwards and make a single turn. Players take turns to select a shape card from the top of the face down pile. Practitioners encourage pupils to talk about how they want PIXIE to move and support them as they plan their programming, lending particular attention to turning and moving on again.
The next player should begin when PIXIE has successfully reached its first target, using that as the new starting place.
Check that pupils are remembering to press CM each time a new program is entered.
As pupils gain greater confidence, practitioners may begin to scribe, recording the planned program onto a laminated record card. If this is read back together, there will be an opportunity to check if the new program is likely to be successful. Allow time for reprogramming if necessary and encourage the children to work together.