Beyond Black Boxes: Make Your Own Manual

We experimented with various different ways of helping girls document their experiences and project plans. We used journals and logbooks throughout the program. One successful documentation technique was having each girl create her own "Cricket Manual."

Each girl constructed her own hand-made book. Each day we met, the girls were introduced to new cricket commands and instructions. The girls recorded the cricket commands in their manuals, along with sketches and ideas for projects, and printouts of their cricket programs.

We found that making their own manuals helped the girls understand the programming as this information was in their own words.

Inspiration