The goal of K-12 CS education

Alan Kay Alan.Kay at squeakland.org
Mon Jul 30 14:12:03 UTC 2001


Do you folks realize that every Player (the automatic wrapping of a 
morph for kids) in Squeak is a turtle?  Get the handles by cmd-click, 
then click on the blue eye to see the viewer, then look in the 
category called "pen use". Change pen down to true.

Cheers,

Alan

At 12:05 AM -0700 7/30/01, Edwin Pilobello wrote:
>NEW THREAD - was : Bongo a Java for kids
>
>Scott,
>
>In the US, Logo is not as popular anymore as in the rest of the world.  As
>proof, there is a big conference coming up in Austria in August.  For Logo
>links, check out http://el.www.media.mit.edu/groups/logo-foundation/
>
>The Lego/Logo implementations are still going strong.  Although, I find that
>kids would prefer iconographic (Robolab) as opposed to code.
>
>*****
>
>The real question is : "What is the goal of K-12 Computer Science
>Education?"  I raise this question because I feel it's a very important
>market for SQUEAK apps.
>
>I submit that it is for the students to learn logic, structure and
>object-orientation.  Next to playing "Hot, hot cold",  these concepts can be
>learned through programming.  Throw in robotics and it becomes more
>kinestetic and emergent.  It's hard for a kid to argue that his perfect
>Robolab program isn't working because of the RCX.  It's easy to "act out"
>the program to show that the robot is doing "exactly" what he told it to do.
>Then they learn that programming is an applied IQ test ... pattern
>recognition, classification, analogies, math, logical reasoning and general
>knowledge
>
>Problem is, they then hide behind the excuse that they haven't finished
>constructing yet.  However good constructioNism is, it is still a subset
>constructiVism.
>
>It takes a great deal of trust before the kids can begin to explore on their
>own and learn from their mistakes.  They are so conditioned to get punished
>for their mistakes.  So they tend to want to hide their lack of
>understanding.  After getting them to open up, get excited, and push the
>class beyond the time limits, then the next probleam is cleaning up and
>sorting the legos.
>
>So, in my quest to find a solution to the logistical problems associated
>with Lego/Logo, I thought of using animatronics.  This combines my two loves
>of programming and robotics into high-tech puppetry. So the talking heads
>got me into SQUEAK.  Again, I'd rather lug a notebook to class than a cart
>with lots of connections and servos that the kids can't seem to keep within
>design limits.  It's truly a "head-banger".
>
>:-)  edwin
>
>P.S. - If you wish to re-acquaint yourself with the turtle, I would
>recommended MSW Logo for "pros" or ELICA, which is in a class all on it's
>own.  Its realistic 3D engine is great for simulations, etc.  For kids,
>check out either MicroWorlds Pro by LCSI or Terrapin Logo (both fee-based).
>Links are under Resources at the Logo Foundation site.
>	For a "head" try a "maxwell" from www.medonis.com. It's a lot 
>cheaper than
>those made for Hollywood.  Try a fitting a latex Halloween mask on it and
>I'm sure any "kid" would have a blast.  I do!
>
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: squeak-dev-admin at lists.squeakfoundation.org
>[mailto:squeak-dev-admin at lists.squeakfoundation.org]On Behalf Of Scott A
>Crosby
>Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2001 8:12 PM
>To: Edwin Pilobello
>Cc: squeak-dev at lists.squeakfoundation.org
>Subject: RE: Bongo a Java for kids
>
>
>On Mon, 23 Jul 2001, Edwin Pilobello wrote:
>
>>  I have been teaching LOGO to kids as young as 3rd grade in Oregon Public
>>  Schools.  The concept of multiple turtles is something even my High School
>
>Lets see, I first learned Logo, I think, when I was in 2nd grade. In 3rd
>grade I think we were doing simple (fixed number of iterations) loops, but
>no variables or control structures. That would be in 1985-86, I think in a
>C64. This was in a relatively rural school, so I know it has been taught
>that young.
>
>Scott


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