Assignment11_ZTaschdjian
Last modified by Hal Eden on 2010/08/20 11:06
Assignment11_ZTaschdjian
To Do
- please work as individuals for this assignment
- read the paper for the guest lecture on November 12
- Michael Eisenberg "Mindstuff: Educational Technology Beyond the Computer"
Task
Post one question about the paper including a rationale why you find your questions interesting and important!Response
- 1. Members of the Group
- Zac Taschdjian
- 2. MikeQuestion
- It seems like many educational learning systems attempt to create a narrative around the actual physical toy or act of playing. In some respects, a microworld could be considered a narrative. In the same way, many successful products now try to place themselves within a larger system. For example, Apple made the iPod one element of a larger system including iTunes, Quicktime player, etc. How does placing a microworld within a larger narrative and/or system augment or change it's usefulness? I think this is an interesting question because it draws on themes from this class such as metadesign and participatory design. If a microworld is purposely underdesigned to allow the user to expand it as they become comfortable and grow bored with its structure, it could successfully fit into a larger world. For example, a child could begin by playing with a few basic legos, then progress to building a kit (using skills learned at an earlier, simpler stage) and finally to programming in Lego Mindstorms. The Legos form a user-configurable microworld. An appealing narrative can be superimposed upon the building activities (first build a person, then build their car, then build their space ship).
