Learning to code

Ackermann, E.K. (2016). “Learning to Code: What is it? What’s In It For The Kids?— A Tribute to Seymour Papert". Trans. version from publication in Tecnologie didattiche (TD 27-2002).

30.05.2022

Notes:

• Its power lays in the uses of words, spoken and written, as commands to make things happen.
• What is there to be gained in the first place, and what’s in it for today’s kids? What facets of computational thinking or technological fluency are being promoted?
• Children use words, written or spoken, because they want to be heard
• Learning to code is viewed as a crucial future ability
• «Learn to code or you won’t get a job!»
• games to introduce children to coding
• not only consume, children got to create

Lessons from the scrapyard

Moriwaki, K., Brucker-Cohen, J. (2006). “Lessons from the scrapyard: creative uses of found materials within a workshop setting”. In AI & Society. 20:4. 506-525.

Notes:

• Scrapyard Challenges
• diy culture allows new possibilities of expressions
• simple in and output
• found materials to challenge the user to think about new affordances
• limited time frame so you won’t focus on details too much
• Non judgmental