Customer Reviews

The Children's Machine: Rethinking School In The Age Of The Computer

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This was an interesting book that did a good job of bringing up controversial and thought-provoking subjects relating to education and technology. Although Papert makes some good points about how technology could be better utilized in the classroom, he takes the extreme point of view that it could and should totally revolutionize the way that kids learn and that schools operate. Whether or not you as the reader agree with him or not, it is a good read for anyone interested in either education or technology that is sure to make you at least analyze your own points of view on both topics.

Papert makes some very interesting points in this book about how computers are currently used in schools and how they should be used in schools. Papert explains traditional schools use computers as a substitute for the teacher. Meaning, programs are written to simulate what a teacher would do and the program is often looking for a very specific right or wrong answer. Papert suggests a better use of the computer is to allow the child or student to control what the computer does. This is possible by a programming language called Logo which was developed by Papert while working at MIT. The programming language uses a turtle, who receives instructions from the student in the form of commands, as the basis for learning. The student then has the ability to make the turtle behave in any creative way he or she wishes. One of the key benefits is rather than looking for a specific answer to a question, this use of the computer allows the student to explore and be creative even learning from their mistakes. I've used Logo and can say this is an excellent way for 'anyone' to learn.

The Children's Machine addresses the many ways students learn. Papert uncovers the reality that students learn opposite of how our westernized world sees this process. According to Papert, students learn naturally outside the four walls of a classroom in which literacy is seen as only teachable through textbooks. The Children's Machine uncovers the deficiencies by which most schools run that prevents students from learning as they should, in a self-directed manner where there are answers other than yes or no. Shades of grey are more accepted in Papert's constructivist view of education he outlines in the book rather than the "official theory" of learning which only sees black and white. Papert has self-created the LOGO program, MicroWorlds. With this program, Papert further illustrates how students can learn without restrictions. Students are encouraged to experiment and use the computer as a tool to shape their own thinking. Mistakes are encouraged, as these mistakes will be formed into discoveries. Another recommended read: Mindstorms.

This is a classic from the point of view of pedagogy. But let me first give some context. Papert (www.papert.org) is the father of constructionism, LOGO and a lot of powerful ideas. His beliefs on the power of technology, if used to enhance human capabilities as a support for creativity, to produce mega change in School (with a capital S to mean our current educational system) are developing since the 60's. In my opinion his works are paramount if one wants to understand the technology world as it is, because they influenced directly Alan Kay at his time at Xerox, and lead to the personal computing revolution.

The children's machine was written in 1993, before the web and when the PC revolution was in full motion. In it we encounter a very friendly and close dialog with one of the greatest genius of the computer age. We encounter several insights about epistemology, some of them dating from the time Papert spent with Piaget in the 60's, but updated to the current times.

Papert also makes explicit something that was more hidden in his other book Mindstorms, the concept of demanding permissiveness. Basically that means that a more libertarian and open education does not mean less work and responsibility. Much to the opposite, even though the results are more fun and efficient. One analogy that I found useful is that even though a system can have many successful outcomes, that does not mean that it has no unsuccessful ones.

His concept of mathetic is also La borated more profoundly. He argues that there is a word for the art and science of teaching (pedagogy) but not one for learning. [...] The purpose is not to establish mathetic in itself, but to get some term to mean it, to make thinking and having a point of view about it more easy and feasible. (As Alan Kay says, a point of view is worth 80 IQ points)

Concluding, let the learner take control of his own lerning experience. Let the computer realize his revolutionary potential.

This is a good book to read. This was recommended by my academic advisor and Amazon had it for an excellent price. Basically, trying not to tell everything in the book, or spoil the story, but you should not let children run or operate machines or heavy equipment. I recommend this book. I think I will read some more.

Seymour Papert, a mathematician, educator, and scientist, begins "The Children's Machine" with the question, "How does the relationship between children and computers affect learning?

He writes passionately about his experiences with schools, children, learning, and their intersections. Drawing from both theoretical and empirical perspectives, Papert lays out the compelling reasons for rethinking education in this Information Age. His words echo those of Piaget and many others that are completely convinced that there is indeed hope for change. Continuing in the tradition of his previous book "Mindstorms: Children, Computers, and Powerful Ideas" and thoroughly describing the further innovative potential of his own Logo program, Papert does not fail to educate, inspire, and provoke his readers. He ends the book with a chapter on what can be done now, and, almost 15 years since its release, his ideas are still relevant.

A stimulating and challenging book. Easy to read and full of interesting anecdotes.

If you're intesested in education or computers or both you should own a copy of this book.