matt@absolut.UUCP (08/07/85)
Dear Usenet users:
I have been asked by an MIT student group involved in education
to generate some ideas on the inclusion of computers, both as a technical
and interdisciplinary topic, for inclusion in future terms of our projects.
Let me give you some background: We are a non-profit, volunteer run
MIT student group involved in experimental secondary school education projects.
Over the past thirty years we have taught countless thousands of future
programmers and engineers, scientists and academics.
If you have heard of any REALLY successful uses of computers in
education on any level, as topic of study or educational tool, please let me
know. If you have any ideas (preferably rabid) on the topic, I'd sure like
to hear from you! I'll sumarize the good stuff.
What follows is a medium length postings of some my ideas, which
you are more than welcome to skip.
Thanks in advance:
matt
"I accept all responsibility for the above mistakes. However, I accept no
punishment for said mistakes."
Matt Leo {ucbvax!cbosgd!ima!cfib, decvax!cca}!absolut!matt
Absolut Software 617-232-8377
2001 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02146-4227
As educational tool:
* Tutoring
( Computer: Who was Darius' father?
Student: Joe Dimaggio.
Computer: Chill out, man. )
* Alternative Learning Environments
Simulations: bridge stresses, chemical reactions.
Interacvtive mathematical labs.
How about simulating an archeological dig?
Impossible Labs: celestial mechanics, neclear reactors.
* Info grindwork
Repetitive calculations: atmospheric scale depths,
DiffEQ solutions.
Statistical anaylsis.
Word processing: (how about a word processor that was
optimized for creative writing rather than
correspondence?)
* Graphics and design
Theater set design.
CAD: electronic circuits, mehanical parts.
* Information community
Electronic discussion forums.
Electronic bulletin boards.
Access to databases: demographic literature, computer
lit searches.
We don't really have the computer resources to do any of this on a
large scale (actually we don't have ANY resources... but we can borrow
some for small scale software development and testing).
As topic of study:
* computer technology training: programming,
hardware designs etc.
* computers as a force in society.
* computers as it affects science and engineering.
The first is our traditional focus. We have trained God knows
how many thousands of programmers and engineers.
The second I find a particularly rich and untapped source of
very interesting course material. Let me give some examples of topics:
* What is intellectual property?
* How does ancient common law and copywrite concepts apply
to the rights to computer software?
* What rights do citizens have regarding personal information
and mailling lists, databases?
* How does the Freedom of Information Act affect people's privacy?
(Registry of Motor Vehicle Information can be bought
by anyone... That includes your name, address, age, approximate
income. Some government agencies, including the IRS and selective
service use this data to run computerized matching runs...)
These are just some topics that come to mind in just seconds of
reflection, no doubt people specializing in this area can come up with
better ones.
That's all I can think of now.