A brief introduction to Greenfoot

1. Greenfoot
An introduction

2. Background
• Developed by University of Kent for school age learners
(suggested age 13 upwards).
• Teaches object-oriented programming and Java in a visual and
interactive way.
• Develop 2-D graphical applications, such as simulations and
interactive games – comes with a range of scenarios.

3. Introduction
• Interesting (unique?) idea to teach novice programmers
object-oriented concepts.
• Hands-on approach, coming back to the theory later.
• Make programming “interesting, relevant and enjoyable”.

4. Programming model
• World class (screen area)
• Actor class (objects can be programmed to act independently).
• Programming a “scenario” consists mainly of implementing act
methods for the scenario's actors.
• Greenfoot offers methods to easily program these actors, including
methods for movement, rotation, changes of appearance, collision
detection, etc.
• Greenfoot also provides methods for
animation, sound, randomisation, and image manipulation. All
standard Java libraries can be used.

5. Computing concepts
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Abstraction
Class/object relationship
Methods
Parameters
Object interaction
Inheritance

6. Pedagogy
• Motivate learners with a highly interactive environment using
graphics, sound and gaming challenges.
• Encourage exploration and experimentation.
• Based on constructivist and apprenticeship approaches.
• Experimental learning
• Hands-on program development

7. Teaching support
• Greenfoot – Download, support, tutorials
• Greenroom - The Greenfoot Educators Community
• Joy of Code provides an excellent set of video tutorials
introducing Greenfoot.

8. Technical stuff
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Version 2.3.0
Open-source (free!)
Requires Java 6 or Java 7 JDK.
Runs on all platforms

9. Summary
• Teaching young people Object Oriented programming, rather
than a traditional procedural language.
• Making programming fun by creating games.
• Allowing students to explore what is possible.
• Full Java libraries available so extension activities are endless.