logothings
Computing Environments for Children
A Reflection on Theories of Learning and Education
Cynthia Solomon
Summary
As a first strategy in exploring the many ways computers have been used in education, I focuson two images of the computer: (1) the computer as an interactive textbook in control of the user and (2) the computer as an expressive medium under the control of the user. As examples of thecomputer-as- textbook, I chose two different approaches. Patrick Suppes, of Stanford University,developed a system to provide students with sequenced drill- and-practice exercises, whereas Robert Davis, of the University of Illinois, using the Plato system, imbued the computer with aSocratic style of interaction. With regard to the computer as expressive medium, I again chosetwo approaches. Tom Dwyer and his colleagues at the Solo works laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh developed a variety of programming activities around BASIC, and Seymour Papert and his Logo group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology developed new mathematics and new technology for children.
Another strategy of this book is to treat each trend in terms of its relationship to elementary school education and to concentrate on examples from work in mathematics. I selected elementary education because my own interests have crystallized around children, their social,intellectual, and emotional development, and how teachers can contribute to the developmental process. I chose mathematics because the methods of computer usage in this area represent general theories of instruction and epistemological positions that take on different forms indifferent disciplines but happen to be most clearly realized in mathematics.
In reading this book, I remind you of my belief that whether people are designers of environments or participants in the environments, it is important for them to think about the rolethey play and the explicit and implicit assumptions they make within their environment.
