[Squeakland] the non universals

[subbukk]

On Friday 24 August 2007 4:19 am, Alan Kay wrote:
> One example on the Squeakers DVD
> showed 11 year old Tyrone explaining just how he worked out and
> derived the actual differential equations of motion (in
> intellectually honest and mathematical version that computers make
> very practical).
Alan,

I read the Powerful Ideas book (over and over!) and watched Tyrone on video. 
What I couldn't factor out in this experiment is the extent of BJ's influence 
in the outcomes. She comes across as a person who helps kids "learn to 
learn". Such talented people are rare. Would'nt such people figure out a way 
to get the same outcome without Etoys? In what ways did Etoys amplify her 
teaching abilities?

To take an extreme case - what if a child does not have access (or has rare 
access) to teachers? Would Etoys continue to nudge the kids along the right 
direction the same way?

Regards .. Subbu