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<p>Hi Ron,</p>
<p>Thank you for your message. It's an important discussion to have.<br>
</p>
<p>FWIW, Sugar Labs has been doing some gen-AI projects, which I
highlighted in
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://www.sugarlabs.org/community/2024/12/03/help-SL-continue-to-transform-education/">https://www.sugarlabs.org/community/2024/12/03/help-SL-continue-to-transform-education/</a>
and you can read the reports from the students who developed them
on
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://medium.com/@sugarlabs/list/artificial-intelligence-cea7b9e71d17">https://medium.com/@sugarlabs/list/artificial-intelligence-cea7b9e71d17</a><br>
</p>
<p>As for whether or not coding is worth learning, I must push back.
I think that people learn a lot from creating programs that
utilize computation, which is categorically different than all
other subjects.<br>
</p>
<p>Our primary goal as an organization is education, and a child's
primary learning goal is to learn about themselves and the world
around them (not <i>yet</i> to get a job and not <i>yet</i> to
learn about how marketable their skills may be). Exploring
computation still serves that goal for the learner, and it will
serve this goal for the learner for years to come.</p>
<p>Whether it's computation, gen-AI, music, or writing, the unique
goal of Sugar Labs as a community focused on Constructionist
learning is to make an environment where learners can create a
portfolio of work that they build upon. This portfolio helps them
build, among other things such as skills, the confidence needed to
face new, unforeseen challenges that their future may hold. (And
building a portfolio is categorically different than memorizing
information from an instructional tool, whether that tool be
utilizing "AI" or not.) We all work together towards these goals,
creating Constructionist tools for learning and mentoring youth in
our community.</p>
<p>Devin</p>
<p>P.S. It just happens that I'm in the midst of sketching out a
series of approximately four online events after the new year
where we explore more in-depth our unique approach to gen-AI in
education. Each event will focus on a particular set of questions.
If anyone reading this would like to be involved, please let me
know.<br>
</p>
<p></p>
<div class="moz-cite-prefix">Ron Feigenblatt:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"
cite="mid:CADGjQDUoYp4WG-0PegyTmvmC6wtZ7cNj6sKN-H+G57xQsDhF1Q@mail.gmail.com">
<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
<div dir="ltr">I think wide syndication in the highly fractured
online social media world in which we live today is a good idea.
<div><br>
</div>
<div>But there is now one overwhelming issue facing Sugar Labs
(SL), as much as it does other endeavors. SL was launched in
the era before the AI Revolution of the last decade or so. How
is, and should be, SL pivoting in the face of this turning
point of history? I NEVER bought into the OLPC-originated idea
that student coding would prove an important aspect of that
initiative. And today, Google tells us that AI now writes
about 25% of its new code.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I would dare guess that the dominant impact of software on
human child learning for now will prove to be AI tutors, like
the US$4/month Khanmigo facility launched by Khan Academy.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I don't have the answers, but these are urgent questions to
ponder.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Finally, here is what ChatGPT tells one when ordered to
"Describe Sugar Labs"</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>"Sugar Labs is a nonprofit organization that develops and
promotes <strong>Sugar</strong>, a free, open-source software
environment designed specifically for education. It focuses on
providing children, especially in underserved areas, with an
engaging and collaborative learning platform. The software is
based on the idea of "learning by doing," encouraging
creativity, critical thinking, and exploration.</div>
<h3>Key Features of Sugar Labs and the Sugar Platform:</h3>
<ol>
<li>
<p><strong>Interactive Learning Environment</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Sugar replaces the traditional desktop environment
with a set of activity-focused interfaces.</li>
<li>Activities (apps) include tools for writing, coding,
drawing, and exploring, rather than standard software
like word processors or spreadsheets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Child-Centric Design</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Created to be intuitive and easy for children to use,
regardless of literacy level or technical knowledge.</li>
<li>Features a bright, colorful interface that is simple
yet functional.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Collaboration and Sharing</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Supports peer-to-peer collaboration, allowing children
to share their work and learn together.</li>
<li>Emphasizes a "constructivist" approach to education,
inspired by educational theorists like Jean Piaget and
Seymour Papert.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Cross-Platform Compatibility</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>While originally developed for the <strong>One Laptop
Per Child (OLPC)</strong> initiative, Sugar can run on
a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, and
macOS.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Global Reach</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Sugar Labs has been involved in projects worldwide,
particularly in developing countries, where access to
traditional educational resources is limited.</li>
<li>The software is translated into multiple languages to
cater to diverse user groups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Community-Driven</strong>:</p>
<ul>
<li>Relies on contributions from educators, developers,
and volunteers from around the globe.</li>
<li>Open-source nature allows for continuous improvement
and customization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<h3>Vision:</h3>
<p>Sugar Labs aims to empower children through technology by
enabling them to become thinkers, creators, and
problem-solvers. It strives to bridge the educational gap and
foster equitable access to quality education using digital
tools."</p>
<p>- Dr. Ron Feigenblatt</p>
</div>
<br>
<div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container">
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Dec 9, 2024 at 1:53 PM
Devin Ulibarri <<a href="mailto:devin@sugarlabs.org"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">devin@sugarlabs.org</a>>
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote"
style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">Hi
all,<br>
<br>
Sugar Labs is now on Bluesky and WhatsApp. This is our profile
on <br>
Bluesky: <a
href="https://bsky.app/profile/sugarlabs.bsky.social"
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://bsky.app/profile/sugarlabs.bsky.social</a>
and WhatsApp: <br>
<a href="https://wa.me/16177024088" rel="noreferrer"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://wa.me/16177024088</a><br>
<br>
We are also on:<br>
Mastodon: <a href="https://mastodon.social/@sugar_labs"
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://mastodon.social/@sugar_labs</a><br>
Twitter: @sugar_labs<br>
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SugarLabsforall"
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://www.facebook.com/SugarLabsforall</a><br>
Instagram: <a
href="https://www.instagram.com/sugarlabsforall/"
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://www.instagram.com/sugarlabsforall/</a><br>
YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@SugarlabsOrg-EN"
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://www.youtube.com/@SugarlabsOrg-EN</a><br>
LinkedIn: <a
href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/sugar-labs"
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://www.linkedin.com/company/sugar-labs</a><br>
Mailing lists: <a
href="https://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Mailing_Lists"
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Mailing_Lists</a><br>
Medium: <a href="https://medium.com/@sugarlabs"
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://medium.com/@sugarlabs</a><br>
Github (where the code's at): <a
href="https://github.com/sugarlabs" rel="noreferrer"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://github.com/sugarlabs</a><br>
and of course, here, on Matrix: <a
href="https://matrix.to/#/%23sugar:matrix.org"
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true">https://matrix.to/#/#sugar:matrix.org</a><br>
<br>
And if anyone wants to volunteer to assist with marketing, I'd
be happy <br>
to bring someone into this role. Just let me know more about
your <br>
interest and about how many hours per week you'd be interested
in <br>
helping out. Writing posts, creating videos, and creating
images are all <br>
things that we could use help with.<br>
<br>
Cheers!<br>
<br>
Devin<br>
<br>
-- <br>
<br>
Learn more: <a href="https://sugarlabs.org" rel="noreferrer"
target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://sugarlabs.org</a><br>
<br>
Help us grow: <a
href="https://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Sugar_Labs/Donate"
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Sugar_Labs/Donate</a><br>
<br>
_______________________________________________<br>
Marketing mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Marketing@lists.sugarlabs.org" target="_blank"
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-freetext">Marketing@lists.sugarlabs.org</a><br>
<a href="http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/marketing"
rel="noreferrer" target="_blank" moz-do-not-send="true"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/marketing</a><br>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br>
<fieldset class="moz-mime-attachment-header"></fieldset>
<pre wrap="" class="moz-quote-pre">_______________________________________________
Marketing mailing list
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:Marketing@lists.sugarlabs.org">Marketing@lists.sugarlabs.org</a>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/marketing">http://lists.sugarlabs.org/listinfo/marketing</a>
</pre>
</blockquote>
<div class="moz-signature">-- <br>
<p>Learn more: <a href="https://sugarlabs.org"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://sugarlabs.org</a></p>
<p>Help us grow: <a
href="https://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Sugar_Labs/Donate"
class="moz-txt-link-freetext">https://wiki.sugarlabs.org/go/Sugar_Labs/Donate</a></p>
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