johnupper@sympatico.ca
Copyright © 2002
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Introducing MasterMind® MasterMind was a popular 1970's two-player board-game. This course uses a computerized version of MasterMind to improve student's thinking ability. The goal of the game is to figure out a hidden code in as few guesses as you can. The code consists of a row of coloured pegs hidden behind a screen. You begin by guessing; but each guess gets an answer which tells you how close you are. The answers let you use deductive logic to narrow down the range of possible answers and guide your guesses. Learning to play this game intelligently ---not just guessing, guessing, guessing --- will develop three skills every critical thinker should have: concentration, perseverance, and the ability to tackle complex problems systematically. In short: this computer game makes practicing logic fun... or at least more fun than grinding through the symbolized arguments in a text book. Another MasterMind for Windows© This computerized version of MasterMind runs on Win3.1, Win95 and Win98. It was coded by Davor Slamnig, and it's freeware! It has two advantages over the original boardgame. First, it gives you much more flexibility in customizing play to your own skill level: you can start off easy, and increase the number and colour of pegs as you get better. Second, because the computer automatically replies to your guesses, it avoids the awful: "Are you sure you've marked my pegs right!?" "Yes for the fifth time: I'm SURE!" conversations that caused the original game to make rainy days at the cottage much longer than they needed to be.
Copyright © 2002 John Upper
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