I just wanted to report another successful introduction of Squeak/eToys to a young group of children here in Indianapolis. I began a new Squeak workshop (for 6-8 year old girls) at an after-school community center last night and came away once again rejuvenated about seeing children excited to do something creative on a computer. I say it was a "nearly tearful success" simply because their computer lab was very small so the girls had to triple-up on each computer and take turns and, well, not everyone got as much as they would have liked which generated some sadness.
It was just the beginning of this particular workshop and we got no further than the basics, but I can tell that the girls were already very excited about using eToys and I look forward to our remaining sessions.
I don't believe the Squeak/eToys developers hear it often enough, so, again, thanks for this remarkable piece of software.
--Randy
Thanks for the story. I'd love to hear more details about what you're teaching them. What curriculum are you using with the girls? Are you using the "Powerful Ideas" book, or something else? If something else, what?
--Mark
On 10/25/05, Randy Heiland heiland@indiana.edu wrote:
I just wanted to report another successful introduction of Squeak/eToys to a young group of children here in Indianapolis. I began a new Squeak workshop (for 6-8 year old girls) at an after-school community center last night and came away once again rejuvenated about seeing children excited to do something creative on a computer. I say it was a "nearly tearful success" simply because their computer lab was very small so the girls had to triple-up on each computer and take turns and, well, not everyone got as much as they would have liked which generated some sadness.
It was just the beginning of this particular workshop and we got no further than the basics, but I can tell that the girls were already very excited about using eToys and I look forward to our remaining sessions.
I don't believe the Squeak/eToys developers hear it often enough, so, again, thanks for this remarkable piece of software.
--Randy
Squeakland mailing list Squeakland@squeakland.org http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland
Mark,
I admit that I'm sort of winging it as I go along with this particular group. While it would be nice to say that I'm addressing "Indiana Academic Standard x.x.x for Mathematics/Science, Grade X" (and I do have those Standards sitting on my desk), I can't honestly say that -- at least not yet. Fortunately, since this particular group/workshop is an after-school activity, the pressure is off (in some sense) to adhere to any academic standards. My basic strategy, as with my own children, is simply to try to have fun on the computer, while doing some activity that is creative (and non- violent, non-destructive) for them, that they can take personal ownership/pride in having done, and that, hopefully, does instill some small sense of excitement about doing mathematics or science.
Regarding Squeak projects, as I've hinted at in past postings and make available from our lab's web page, I have a thing for geometry/ patterns/symmetries -- esp. as found in nature and art. But lately I guess I'm in a Squeak 'sibling' frame of mind, exploring the interesting possibilities of sibling dynamics. I'm still amazed at the simplicity and power of the Squeak user interface.
BTW, I do share part of your frustration at using Squeak at times (rf. http://poincare.uits.iupui.edu/~heiland/squeak/ ). But these frustrations are mostly insignificant in the bigger picture of what is possible. And besides, Squeak continues to evolve.
I look forward to hearing about/seeing some of your future projects!
--Randy
On Oct 25, 2005, at 12:29 PM, Mark Engelberg wrote:
Thanks for the story. I'd love to hear more details about what you're teaching them. What curriculum are you using with the girls? Are you using the "Powerful Ideas" book, or something else? If something else, what?
--Mark
On 10/25/05, Randy Heiland heiland@indiana.edu wrote:
I just wanted to report another successful introduction of Squeak/ eToys to a young group of children here in Indianapolis. I began a new Squeak workshop (for 6-8 year old girls) at an after-school community center last night and came away once again rejuvenated about seeing children excited to do something creative on a computer. I say it was a "nearly tearful success" simply because their computer lab was very small so the girls had to triple-up on each computer and take turns and, well, not everyone got as much as they would have liked which generated some sadness.
It was just the beginning of this particular workshop and we got no further than the basics, but I can tell that the girls were already very excited about using eToys and I look forward to our remaining sessions.
I don't believe the Squeak/eToys developers hear it often enough, so, again, thanks for this remarkable piece of software.
--Randy
Squeakland mailing list Squeakland@squeakland.org http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland
Regarding Squeak projects, as I've hinted at in past postings and make available from our lab's web page, I have a thing for geometry/ patterns/symmetries -- esp. as found in nature and art. But lately I guess I'm in a Squeak 'sibling' frame of mind, exploring the interesting possibilities of sibling dynamics. I'm still amazed at the simplicity and power of the Squeak user interface.
Since I'm kind of new to this, I'm not sure what you mean by the "interesting possibilities of sibling dynamics". Can you give me an example or two of some cool things you can do with siblings?
Thanks,
Mark
Thank you *so much* for sharing and reporting, Randy! Good luck to you in future sesssions.
While we don't need the praise, we DO love to hear about any ongoing activities "out there". We have a great community, but many participants are silent and we'd love to hear more!
regards, Kim
At 8:05 AM -0500 10/25/05, Randy Heiland wrote:
I just wanted to report another successful introduction of Squeak/eToys to a young group of children here in Indianapolis. I began a new Squeak workshop (for 6-8 year old girls) at an after-school community center last night and came away once again rejuvenated about seeing children excited to do something creative on a computer. I say it was a "nearly tearful success" simply because their computer lab was very small so the girls had to triple-up on each computer and take turns and, well, not everyone got as much as they would have liked which generated some sadness.
It was just the beginning of this particular workshop and we got no further than the basics, but I can tell that the girls were already very excited about using eToys and I look forward to our remaining sessions.
I don't believe the Squeak/eToys developers hear it often enough, so, again, thanks for this remarkable piece of software.
--Randy
Squeakland mailing list Squeakland@squeakland.org http://squeakland.org/mailman/listinfo/squeakland
squeakland@lists.squeakfoundation.org
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Kim Rose -
Mark Engelberg -
Randy Heiland