I am very much a supporter and admirer of Papert's work. Although not progressing as far as I first thought this title would, it still fulfills much of what it set out to do.

Papert, the inventor of the LOGO computer language asserts that schools have misunderstood and misused or misapplied computer technology and compartmentalized (thus limiting) its value. In the very first words of the preface, Papert asserts: "It is often said that we are entering the information age. This coming period could equally be called the age of learning. The sheer quantity of learning taking place in the world is already many times greater than in the past".

From the wonderful first analogy of the time-travellers looking at Medical and Educational practices 100 years ago and now, to the challenge of schooling versus learning, Papert does indeed make a strong argument for the misuse of the "Children's Machine". His discussions of the role of the teacher in change and resistance to change, is nothing if not challenging. He takes the argument beyond a simple "teacher-bash" to honestly assess the point or reason for School.

He does highlight the very real paradox of the required use of the computer tools by "schools" placing the teacher on a collision course with "school's system of control".

Definitely worth the time.

 

The Children's Machine : Rethinking School in the Age of the Computer