Mindstorms: Children, Computers, And Powerful Ideas / Edition 2

by Seymour A Papert

Overview

In this revolutionary book, a renowned computer scientist explains the importance of teaching children the basics of computing and how it can prepare them to succeed in the ever-evolving tech world.

Computers have completely changed the way we teach children. We have Mindstorms to thank for that. In this book, pioneering computer scientist Seymour Papert uses the invention of LOGO, the first child-friendly programming language, to make the case for the value of teaching children with computers. Papert argues that children are more than capable of mastering computers, and that teaching computational processes like de-bugging in the classroom can change the way we learn everything else. He also shows that schools saturated with technology can actually improve socialization and interaction among students and between students and teachers.

Technology changes every day, but the basic ways that computers can help us learn remain. For thousands of teachers and parents who have sought creative ways to help children learn with computers, Mindstorms is their bible.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780465046744
Publisher:	Basic Books
Publication date:	08/04/1993
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	252
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.88(d)
Lexile:	1230L (what's this?)

About the Author

Seymour Papert (1928-2016) was a professor of mathematics and education at MIT, where he co-founded the Artificial Intelligence and Media Laboratories. He was the co-inventor of the LOGO programming language. He is the author of numerous books, including Perceptrons, The Connected Family, and The Children's Machine.

Mitchel Resnick is Lego Papert Professor of Learning Research, Director of the Okawa Center, and Director of the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab. A former student of Papert's, Resnick developed Scratch, a programming language designed to help children learn coding, and his project Programmable Bricks served as the foundation for LEGO Mindstorms. He is the recipient of the Harold W. McGraw Jr. Prize in Education. Resnick is also the author of Lifelong Kindergarten.

Editorial Reviews

"[Papert] offers one of the most promising glimpses yet of how we might build toward an education system in which we could take renewed pride."—New York Times Book Review

"Seymour Papert is the greatest of all living education theorists. He puts into the hands of the child new conceptual tools and thus changes the learning experience from a matter of discipline and suffering into one of excitement."—Marvin Minsky

"Ever since I met Seymour...I liked the way he talked about kids and how they learn. What he taught me was that each of us can learn and that computers are a unique tool to be used in our learning. But real learning is not rote and not commanded, but the result of exploration and delight."
—Governor Jerry Brown

"Papert's fascinating volume should help adults allay their own fear of computers and not extend those fears into the uncorrupted psyches of children."
—Choice

From the Publisher

New edition of an influential book published in 1980 by the inventor of LOGO, the computer programming language designed for children. Papert discusses why and how he invented the language and shares his insightful thinking about children and learning. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews