IEducation 489-4

•

Experimental Course: LOGO

INTERSESSIONq 1986

INSTRUCTOR: David Porter

Tuesday and Thursday, 5:30 - 9:20

PHONE: 987-8141 Local 303

LOCATION: MPX 861

The computer is a rich and complex tool that is

increasingly within the financial means of schools

Like any educational tool it comes with inherent

advantages and disadvantages, is more appropriate

for some uses than othersq is more suited to some

teaching styles than others, and is neither the

answer to all educational ills nor the end of all

that is great or good in our educational system

Like any tOOlq it can be used well or poorlyq be

overemphasized or ignored, and it depends an the

human qualities of the wielder for its effectiveness

(P Kel man in Cot

g

Seymour Papertq one of the creators of Logo, is concernecJ that

children are being programmed by computers rather than the other way

around

Logo (and the Logo culture and environment) is a way of

putting the child back in control of his own learning. This course

will examine two key elements present in Logo

On the one hand it is

a programming language, and on the other it is a way to begin thinking

about thinking

This course is an in-depth immersion into the Logo environment.. The

course will operate as a professional seminar.. Class time will be

divided among lectures/demonstrations hands-an computer time, and

class discussions.. All members of the class are expected to

contribute by participating fully, by sharing their experiences,

ideas, readings, explorations, and frustrations..

The examination of classroom curriculum connections and the Logo

teacher's role will be an ongoing theme of the class discussions.

Each participant will complete several programming projects and create

a classroom curriculum unit or in-service training unit for future

use.. Participants may be entirely new to Logo or be experienced Logo

users

!3gquired Texts:

Papert Seymour.

Ideas.. Basic Books, 1980.

Watt, Daniel

.erningwith Logo.. Byte Books, 1983.

Evaluation

Evaluation will be based on:

1..

Personal learning log

2.. Programming Projects - individual turtle graphics project

- group project

3..

Classroom curriculum unit/training unit