[Etoys] some comments

[Eduardo Silva]

What if the Etoys examples where refactored as "lessons" plans, in the
form of Active Essays. They would go from the simplest (like the halos
tutorial) to the more advanced projects (like studying acceleration by
taking video of a falling ball). The simpler ones would be targeted
for both kids and teachers, the more advanced ones for teachers (and
smart kids) to learn direct ways on how they could use etoys in their
classroom.

http://www.laptop.org/OLPCEtoys.pdf could be a good starting point for
such a "lesson plan", with the idea being that some teachers will pick
up the ball and continue using etoys when usefull (and not to serve as
a curriculum they impose on students).

While no program or book can yet mentor someone (until AI is more
developed :) ), it should help those which are interested in learning,
but don't have access to (proper) mentoring (be them kids, or teachers
themselves).

Eduardo

On 8/25/07, Alan Kay <alan.kay  squeakland.org> wrote:
> These are the central important questions (thanks for stating them so
> clearly) and we need to solve them. Needless to say, for some time we
> have been worried about this and thinking about what is best to do
> here. Suggestions are most welcome!
>
> What scenario would you suggest?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Alan
>
> At 10:03 AM 8/24/2007, carla gomez monroy wrote:
> >eToys team,
> >
> >eToys, I love it. It is so powerful.
> >However, for some people it can be quite intimidating to get a blank
> >screen when they click on "Make A New Project."
> >
> >The Demo is nice but it for example doesn't say "click on the right
> >(circle) button to get the icons for manipulating the object"
> >The Tutorial and the Gallery of Projects, children see them as games
> >not as things they can make or modify.
> >
> >The use of eToys may not seem that intuitive from the perspective of
> >teachers or students who have just received an XO laptop and it is
> >the first laptop or even computer they have ever touched.
> >
> >I have given to the teachers in printed form
> >    * powerful ideas in the classroom
> >    * eToys quick guide
> >    * eToys manual
> >and the three together are ~200 pages long.
> >
> >And some won't try it by themselves until someone sits with them and
> >goes through it. Maybe more so if they are rural primary teachers.
> >Some might be inclined to just learn the basics and stay there.
> >
> >How can we go about it so they feel curious about trying it, and
> >keep on learning on their own or with their peers or their students?
> >I'm thinking on how can we do it, that it doesn't need a full time
> >person introducing it, or if so, how can it be in a short short time.
> >
> >Best regards,
> >
> >Carla
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