On Fri, Jan 2, 2009 at 2:41 PM, Walter Bender <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:walter.bender@gmail.com">walter.bender@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
I don't think anyone is arguing that we should preclude people from<br>
using whatever tools they have at hand.<br></blockquote><div><br>I think the question is how well the Sugar community *supports* using using a particular tool (Flash, Javascript) by making it convenient, not whether they are precluded. This is more an allocation of resources question than a philosophical one.<br>
<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><div><div class="Wj3C7c">> I find that Sugar contributors from developed countries are focused more<br>
> on high-level thinking because that is a deficiency in their local<br>
> school systems. Their kids can do basic math and _usually_ know basic<br>
> grammar. Poorer countries are focused on basic numeracy and literacy.<br>
> You can't program until you can add and read.<br>
><br>
> Countries like Peru and Brazil have schools where kids are ready to<br>
> focus on high level problems. They also probably have schools struggling<br>
> to impart basic literacy and numeracy.<br>
<br>
</div></div>I don't understand the construing of constructionism with "exclusively<br>
high-level math and science" and I don't quite what you mean by<br>
"foundational skills". I don't think anyone would argue that we don't<br>
want numeracy and literacy to be "low shelf" tools in every child's<br>
repertoire, but what does this have to do with the other topics in<br>
this thread?</blockquote><div><br>I read this as saying that the constructivist activities that have been developed *so far* by programmers in developed countries tend to focus on high level concept learning rather than foundational skills. And I agree with this statement.<br>
<br>I'm currently working on Typing Turtle, a typing trainer for the XO. One could say "they have Write and Chat, they will learn how to type" - that would be a constructivist approach. I feel like there is a need for more focused training of fundamental 'low shelf' skills, that's why I'm working on that particular activity.<br>
<br></div></div>-Wade<br><br>