The Lessons We Don't Learn

Seymour Papert's 1980 paper written for a Presidential commission proposed that we provide a computer for every child in America. Long before One Laptop Per Child, Papert saw that computers should not be an "auxiliary" aid to learning, but "fundamental" to changing how we learn. He understood that the computer by changing education could change our culture for the better.

"I believe that the computer could be used as a powerful weapon to break down barriers... and to open doors to opportunity."

I heard from a physics teacher in California that he can't access the Makezine.com site. He was trying to download a project plan for the Wooden Mini Yacht to use in his class. His school district uses software to block access to any sites that have a "blog.". I don't believe it's unique to this school. This is a high school teacher seeking free resources on the Web to use with students in the classroom. It's too bad that it's so hard for him to do what he wants. It is just one example of how our educational system fails to grasp the fundamental uses of technology.

Papert's paper ended with a warning: "Unless we do this, tomorrow will continue to be the prisoner of the primitivity of yesterday." Tomorrow is here and educators are still being held prisoners of the past. I just wonder if it's truly possible to move forward.