I think the (learning) vehicle should be transparent, and real.
Look at plastic. When plastic first came out, everyone strove to make it look like something it wasn't: wood, leather, stone... fake, fake, fake. People based it on what they knew in their present world view. For a long time, people were stuck with the glaring image of plastic trying to be something it wasn't. It was hard to see beyond the imperfection. What plastic really had to offer, was a new aesthetic. A new way. It took a while for that to happen.
Now, look at computers. Why have your child learn to count by clicking fake apples into a fake box? The child is much better off with real apples and real boxes. Now take it home. Real computers... new ways of learning.
What do computers do that apples and boxes don't? Total immersion, virtual reality, computer games and... and... and... who can imagine where we will go from there!
Let's not burn our energies on fake wood.
Slashdot Mirror
Orsen Wells: War of The Worlds. Spice of life!
I think the (learning) vehicle should be transparent, and real. Look at plastic. When plastic first came out, everyone strove to make it look like something it wasn't: wood, leather, stone... fake, fake, fake. People based it on what they knew in their present world view. For a long time, people were stuck with the glaring image of plastic trying to be something it wasn't. It was hard to see beyond the imperfection. What plastic really had to offer, was a new aesthetic. A new way. It took a while for that to happen. Now, look at computers. Why have your child learn to count by clicking fake apples into a fake box? The child is much better off with real apples and real boxes. Now take it home. Real computers... new ways of learning. What do computers do that apples and boxes don't? Total immersion, virtual reality, computer games and... and... and... who can imagine where we will go from there! Let's not burn our energies on fake wood.