Class ? En classe : jouer avec des classifications pour combiner mathématiques et informatique

Abstract

Class? is a game in which players have to organise their cards according to a hidden classification. Cards disposed by other players help to guess where to play cards. The game has been designed for pupils to understand that the same objects may be classified in different ways and that it is possible to transmit a classification without disclosing it. It calls for notions that are easily presented with cards, such as sets defined by necessary and sufficient conditions (classes). They facilitate the introduction of hierarchical classifications and algorithmic concepts (boolean tests, recursion) to manipulate them. Finally, it requires to reason logically on these concepts. We have used Class? with pupils from fourth to tenth grade. Hence we considered its suitability as a pedagogical resource. It appears that Class? does not seem to illustrate concepts explicitly promoted by the official programs of the French education ministry. Instead, it offers and alternative manner to reinforce transverse concepts very important in computer science.
We position Class? with respect to “computer science unplugged” efforts to teach computer science without computers and comparable games. Finally, we discuss the possible decomposition of Class? in a sequence of smaller games allowing us to introduce the involved concepts progressively.