This book, first published in 2000, is an investigation of the social processes of children's learning (including computer-based learning) and problem-solving behaviour.

In this revolutionary book, a renowned computer scientist explains the importance of teaching children the basics of computing and how it can prepare them to succeed in the ever-evolving tech world. Computers have completely changed the way we teach children. We have Mindstorms to thank for that. In this book, pioneering computer scientist Seymour Papert uses the invention of LOGO, the first child-friendly programming language, to make the case for the value of teaching children with computers. Papert argues that children are more than capable of mastering computers, and that teaching computational processes like de-bugging in the classroom can change the way we learn everything else. He also shows that schools saturated with technology can actually improve socialization and interaction among students and between students and teachers. Technology changes every day, but the basic ways that computers can help us learn remain. For thousands of teachers and parents who have sought creative ways to help children learn with computers, Mindstorms is their bible.

“This stellar book extends teachers’ thinking well beyond 'book spaces' and into 'digital spaces' by offering theorized approaches to analyzing children’s literature across media, and careful descriptions of effective learning activities that are rich in detail and practical advice. This book (and its digital spaces) is an indispensable guide to engaging with children’s literature and new digital media.” Michele Knobel, Montclair State University, USA. “The book overall is exciting, informative and practical, outlining important theoretical perspectives and ideas while also providing much wisdom and advice to teachers about how to transform their literary programs.” Frances Christie, Emeritus Professor of Language andLiteracy Education, University of Melbourne and HonoraryProfessor of Education, University of Sydney, Australia. This book connects classroom teaching of children’s literature with the digital age. It celebrates the charm of children’s literature and its role in literacy development, as well as the appeal of information and communications technology (ICT) to students and its capacity to enrich students’ learning and enjoyment of literary texts. The authors outline the ways in which children’s literature is developing new dimensions, for example: The re-publication of children’s books on CD ROM and the world wide web Web resources for working with literary texts, including e-mail discussion groups Children’s participation in the collaborative construction of online narratives The book provides practical guidance for teachers who areinexperienced with ICT. It describes and discussesimplementation of activities that extend traditional approaches toliterary texts and take advantage of available technology.

Most would agree that the acquisition of problem-solving ability is a primary goal of education. The emergence of the new information technologiesin the last ten years has raised high expectations with respect to the possibilities of the computer as an instructional tool for enhancing students' problem-solving skills. This volume is the first to assemble, review, and discuss the theoretical, methodological, and developmental knowledge relating to this topical issue in a multidisciplinary confrontation of highly recommended experts in cognitive science, computer science, educational technology, and instructional psychology. Contributors describe the most recent results and the most advanced methodological approaches relating to the application of the computer for encouraging knowledge construction, stimulating higher-order thinking and problem solving, and creating powerfullearning environments for pursuing those objectives. The computer applications relate to a variety of content domains and age levels.

Computers have not revolutionized social studies curricula because so few teachers use them. But research does indicate that computers are flexible instructional tools that can assist in the development of attitudes, intellectual motivation, and inquiry skills. Social studies educators need to consider expanded computer use in their classrooms because computers assist in the preparation of students for effective participation in society. Teachers must understand how technology affects instruction, learning, and classroom environments, along with the types of effective instructional strategies that can be used to achieve specific goals. Educators should acquire the knowledge and experience needed to use computers by reviewing research relating to computer use in teaching and to instructional strategies. Information on research concerning the impact of computers on students, how computers change the way teachers' work, computers' effect on the training process, and computers' influence on the social studies curriculum is included. Necessary teacher competencies and appropriate instructional uses are explored through an analysis of teacher utility programs, databases, data analysis programs, and simulations. A 76-item bibliography concludes the document. (JHP)