"Suppose that by the end of elementary school, students were literate with computer programming….."

Material View:
Chapters 2, 6 & 7

 Changing Minds: Computers, Learning and Literacy  by Andrea A. DiSessa

One of the technology components missing from my professional growth is the real understanding of how computers do things.  I've taken them apart, put parts together, and played with programs already setup for my use.  But, I've always felt the missing piece to this process was how the programs do their work in the first place.  Once you leave the known and go to an unknown application, the computer malfunctions, or another computer platform has to be used, frustration then develops.

Prof. DiSessa addresses this as a literacy issue for  children and asked, "Can sixth grade students be literate programmers?"  It is fine that children find it so easy to play games, but how about having them create those games from the beginning by developing something easy to learn at an early age, visible to analyze, and useful for a variety of subjects. To answer this, he developed at Berkeley a program called Boxer.  I find it intimidating as a teacher to even think I could do that with my students when I haven't a clue myself. Using programming to develop science and mathematical understanding in itself is an interesting thought.  How much more advanced will students be who are trained early to think and act out the steps needed to express concepts and visual representations.

Andrea DiSessa develops concepts of mathematics and science using another tool of literacy called programming. "Knowing how all the tools work and understanding the jobs they do, provides adequate skills in using them."  Boxer allows a student to go through a science or mathematical concept by placing each process step in a dialogue box.  Once this is done, students can determine the function of the box and clicking on the box results in the action.  You can download Boxer and try it out.  There is a Mac version and the PC version.  The demos give the best idea on how it all works.

The experiences shared by Prof. DiSessa of using Boxer with students are very interesting to read.  I was interested in the concept and downloaded the program to investigate.  The demos were valuable because just looking at the blank screen was not comfortable. With the Nintendo, Gameboy, computer interactive sophistication of our students, I do not know how the motivation would be there to complete a project with the lack of interest in the surface appearance of this product. It hit me that it was in development 17 years ago. If it is updated, I may revisit it again.

I agree in theory that literacy comes in various styles and forms and all of them are important.  Even though I do not understand the program itself, I might if it was demonstrated. It was a let down after actually reading a well put together treatise. Changing minds theory gets the thumbs-up, the software itself thumbs-down.        

I wish to thank Prof. DiSessa for responding to email about his project.

All quotes are from the book listed in this review and Andrea DiSessa. 

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