Assignment 8- Papert Questions

Jessica Hingle

8/10/2005

Papert Questions Set #1 (Preface - Chapter 3)

  1. Papert contends there is a serious difference between "Schoolers" and "Yearners". How might each make different use of technology in their classes?

I believe that Schoolers would use the technology in a traditional sense, using it merely as one additional tool in their teaching repertoire. For instance, in a math lesson the teacher might use a traditional chalkboard lesson, have the students participate in an activity on the computer, and then assign workbook homework. This approach is not a megachange to their current practices.

I believe that Yearners would see the technology as an alternative to the traditional school processes and use the technology to accomplish more than it was originally intended for. Fpr example, if the school set up a computer lab to use for math practice, the Yearners might strive to have an entire curriculum focused on using computers in all areas of academia.

  1. Papert asks the question, "In trying to teach children what adults want them to know, does school utilize the way human beings naturally learn in nonschool settings?" Answer this question, and then explain why you answered it the way you did.

I believe that some schools do utilize how human beings naturally lean in non-school settings and other schools do not. For example, the Montessori Method of learning puts emphasis on discovery learning, which is how we naturally learn. Route leaning does attempt to mimic the fact that a learner will try something again and again until it is learned, but has deterred from the natural way of learning by introducing a much more high pressure situation.

  1. What is the "school's immune response" to change?

Page 58 states that … "...School's immune response often snatched away the success they [teachers] did achieve.” The immune response is to force teachers to follow an approved procedure, rather than embrace the evolution of teaching procedure.

Papert Questions Set #2 (Chapters 4 - 6)

  1. How does Papert define the term "mathetics?"

The art of learning.

  1. How does Papert define the term "constructivism?"

Actually constructing, or creating knowledge, which Papert has had a hard time finding a book on.

  1. How does Papert describe the concept of cultivation in the teaching and learning process? Do you agree with his description of knowledge construction as an act of cultivation rather than construction?

Cultivation is described as tending to knowledge and directing it as it grows, similar to a horticulturist tending to plants. I agree with this viewpoint because similar to a plant, knowledge is affected by more than just the care taker. The weather and environment have great influence, just as the learner’s environment both in and out of the classroom have influence. Construction seems to imply that nothing other than what is intended influences the outcome.

Papert Questions Set #3 (Chapters 7 - 10)

  1. How does Papert define the term "instructionism?"

Papert defines instructionism as “…the belief that the route to better learning must be the improvement of instruction.” In other words: teach better.

  1. How does Papert define the term "constructionism?"

Papert defines constructionism as “…the assumption that children will do best by finding for themselves the specific knowledge they need.”

  1. Explain why you think some of the ways in which Papert's plan for improving education (the "little school" idea, for example) may or may not be feasible within today's education system.

Papert stated that teaching a child is like“…building a Gothic cathedral out of 40,000 blocks of stone. Clearly, strict organization is needed to perform such a task. One cannot have individual workers deciding that they want to put a block here or there just because they are inspired to do so.” I think this concept sums up many of his ideas, which I do think are feasible if applied correctly. In today’s education system you have so many people pulling in different directions no matter where you turn. Working together is tough to do, but if we have strict enforcers it could be done.

  1. Briefly describe your overall thoughts on the book. Here's your chance to either hail Papert as an educational visionary, or to slam him as an idealistic hack.

I think Papert’s theories might work for a good number of students, but I do not think that the variety of students in a real life situation has been accounted for. I feel like he has thrown out a number of suggestions but does not have the full results of analysis to show what percentage of students truly benefited from his teaching concepts. That’s all they are, concepts with mention of a few good results. I would prefer to see entire studies in order to make me a believer.