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Fuel tanks are located at random along a circular track. The amount
of fuel at each station is represented by a circular sector suggesting
a fuel gauge. The total amount of fuel available is 360 units, corresponding
to 360 degrees for a full circle.
Clicking on any tank will take you (counterclockwise) by motorcycle
toward the next tank. If you have enough fuel to reach it, the computer
adds the new fuel and continues. Otherwise, you must begin again by
clicking on another tank.
There is always at least one "right" tank you can click to complete
the circuit. It can be found by trial and error, but the goal is to
minimize the number of trials.
The activity will also include a demo/tutorial in which the computer
makes comments or suggestions when the user makes unsuccessful trials.
By making mistakes, the user learns certain guiding principles. For
example, clicking on the largest amount of fuel may not be the best
choice.
A game is introduced that can be played at various levels. Level 1
gives the user an initial bonus of fuel that makes possible more than
one "right" tank. But there is also a risk involved because incorrect
choices will produce fuel penalties. A record is displayed of the player's
score and success rate. If this does not improve, the player can return
to the demo/tutorial for further training. The game can also be played
at Levels 2 and 3 where the initial bonus is increased; this increases
the number of possible solutions. The player is amply rewarded for finding
all possible solutions. Of course, there is a corresponding increase
in penalties for incorrect choices.
From this activity the user learns to visualize the measurement of
angles and sums of angles. It also develops intuition, logical thinking,
and strategic planning.
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