📑 The Seeds That Seymour Sowed

Bookmarked The Seeds That Seymour Sowed by Mitchel Resnick (Medium)

As you read Mindstorms, don’t get distracted by the details of the 1980-era technologies that are described in the book. Rather, think about the ways that Seymour’s ideas can be integrated into today’s discussions about educational strategies and policies. And think about what you might do to nurture the seeds that Seymour sowed.

In a new forward for Seymour Papert’s Mindstorm, Mitchel Resnick reflects upon Papert’s legacy after 40 years. He talks about the ideas that have taken and the seeds that lie dormant.

With computers, children can create things that move, interact, and change over time, such as animations, simulations, and interactive games. In the process, children can gain new insights into the workings of dynamic systems in the world around them — including the workings of their own minds. In addition, computers enable children to modify, duplicate, document, and share their creations in ways they never could before, providing new ways for them to explore and understand the creative process.

Resnick reflects on the four guiding principles he has taken from Papert’s work: projects, play, passion and peers. On the flipside of this, some of the legacy has been technocentric, with the focus on the technical skills, rather than the wider learner opportunites.

It is the impetus needed to go back and re-read Mindstorms.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *