Skip to main content

Programming as a Means of Expressing and Exploring Ideas: Three Case Studies Situated in a Directive Educational System

  • Conference paper
Computers and Exploratory Learning

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NATO ASI F,volume 146))

Abstract

This chapter discusses programmability as an important property of exploratory software for education within a framework of progressive discrimination of which of its aspects are good agents for infusing pupil control over technology and their own learning, the enjoyment of personal construction and the ability to express ideas and generalizations. The ones discussed are programming a) as an agent for developing an alternative teaching and learning paradigm within a directive educational culture, b) enabling pupils to construct objects consisting of a set of ideas, understood in varying depth, but concurrently explorable, and c) providing the potential for exploring ideas from content domains other than mathematics, such as physics. The arguments are based on a description of three Logo learning environments situated in the Greek educational system.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abelson, H., diSessa, A. (1981) Turtle Geometry: The Computer as a Medium for Exploring Mathematics, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Abelson, H., Sussmann, J. (1985) Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Apple, M. W. (1991) The new technology: Is it part of the solution or part of the problem, in Computers in the Schools, 8 (1/2/3), 59–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • “Astrolavos” (1992) A program to utilize computing technologies to support education in the Hellenic secondary schools, Proposal to the Ministry of Education, under the supervision of Prof. D. Maritsas, Dir. Computer Technology Institute

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruner, J. (1974) Beyond the Information Given, London; Allen and Unwin

    Google Scholar 

  • Budin, H.R. (1991) Technology and the teacher’s role, Computers in the Schools, 8 (1/2/3), 15–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cobb, P., Yackel, E., Wood, T. (1992) Interaction and learning in mathematics classroom situations, Educational Studies in Mathematics, 23, 99–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • diSessa, A. (1989) A child’s science of motion: Overview and first results. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference for Logo and Mathematics Education, U. Leron and N. Krumholtz (eds.), The Israeli Logo Centre, Department of Education in Science and Technology, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 211–231

    Google Scholar 

  • diSessa, A., Abelson, H. (1986) BOXER: A reconstructible computational medium, Communications of the ACM, 29/9, 859–868

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • diSessa, A. (1983) Phenomenology and the evolution of intuition, in Mental Models, D. Centner and A. Stevens (eds.), 15–33, Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum

    Google Scholar 

  • diSessa, A. (1982) Unlearning Aristotelian physics: A study of knowledge-based learning, Cognitive Science, 6, 37–75

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Douady, R. (1985) The interplay between the different settings, tool-object dialectic in the extension of mathematical ability, Proceedings of the Ninth International Conference for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, 2, 33–52, Montreal

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, B. (1985) Computer Science Logo Style, vols. 1, 2 and 3, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Georgiadis, P. and Kynigos, C. (1993) Designing a microworld for learning Newtonian physics through structured programming, Proceedings of the IFIP Conference: Informatics and Changes in Learning, A. Knierzinger and M. Moser (eds.) Austria, Thema F, Session 4/2,9–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Harel, I. and Papert, S. (1990) Software design as a learning environment, Interactive Learning Environments, 1, 1–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hillel, J. and Kieran, C. (1987) Schemas used by 12 year-olds in solving selected turtle geometry tasks, Recherches en Didactique des Mathematiques, 8/12, 61–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyles, C. (1992) Computer-based microworlds: A radical vision or a Trojan mouse? Proceedings of the Seventh International Congress on Mathematics Education, University of Laval, Quebec, Canada

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyles, C. and Noss, R. (1987) Children working in a structured Logo environment: From doing to understanding, Recherches en Didactiques des Mathematiques, 8/12, 131–174

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyles, C. and Noss, R. (1991) Deconstructing microworlds, in D.L. Ferguson (ed.) Advanced Educational Technologies for Mathematics and Science, NATO ASI Series F, Vol. 107, Berlin: Springer Verlag

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyles, C. and Noss, R. (1992) A pedagogy for mathematical microworlds, Educational Studies in Mathematics, 23, 31–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoyles, C. and Sutherland, R. (1989) Logo Mathematics in the Classroom, London: Routledge

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoyles, C., Healy, L., Pozzi, S. (1992) Interdependence and autonomy: Aspects of groupwork with computers, in H. Mandel, E. DeCorte, S.N. Bennett, and H.F. Friedrich (eds.), Learning and Instruction, European Research in International Context, 2, 239–257

    Google Scholar 

  • Kynigos, C. (1992) The turtle metaphor as a tool for children doing geometry, in C. Hoyles, R. Noss (eds.) Learning Logo and Mathematics, 97–126, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Kynigos, C. (1992b) Insights into pupils’ and teachers’ activities in pupil-controlled problem-solving situations: A longitudinally developing use for programming by all in a primary school, in J.P. Ponte et al. (eds.), Mathematical Problem Solving and New Information Technologies: Research in Contexts of Practice, NATO ASI Series F, Vol. 89, 219–238, Berlin: Springer-Verlag

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kynigos, C. (1991) Centration sur le processus avant le contenti: Peut-on pratiquer Logo dans une ecole primaire en Grece?, in Logo etApprentssages, 93–104, J.L. Gurtner, and J. Retschitzki (eds.), Geneve: Delachaux et Niestlé

    Google Scholar 

  • Kynigos, C. (1993) Children’s inductive thinking during intrinsic and Euclidean geometrical activities in a computer programming environment, Educational Studies in Mathematics, 24, 177–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kynigos, C., Gyftodimos, G., Georgiadis, P. (1993) Empowering a society of future users of information technology: A longitudinal study of application in early education, European Journal of Information Systems, 2/2, 139–148

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kontogiannopoulou-Polydorides, G. (1991) The educational and social dimensions of the use of the new technologies in the school, paper written in Greek in Contemporary Issues vol. 46-47, Dec. 1991,77–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Kontogiannopoulou-Polydorides, G. and Kynigos, C. (1993) An educational perspective of the socio-cultural prerequisites for Logo-like education in Greece, Proceedings of the Fourth European Logo Conference, C. Kynigos et al. (eds.), Doukas School Publication, 377–389

    Google Scholar 

  • Leron, U. (1985) Logo today: Vision and reality, The Computing Teacher, 12, 26–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Loethe, H. (1985) Geometrical problems for a turtle with direction and distance finder, Proceedings of the First Logo and Mathematics Education Conference, 123–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Mason, J. (1987) What do symbols represent?, in C. Janvier (ed.), Problems of Representation in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics, Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates

    Google Scholar 

  • Noss, R. (1985) Creating a mathematical environment through programming: A study of young children learning Logo, Doctoral thesis published by University of London Institute of Education

    Google Scholar 

  • Noss, R. and Hoyles, C. (1992) Looking back and looking forward, in C. Hoyles and R. Noss (eds.) Learning Logo and Mathematics, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Noss, R., Hoyles, C. (1992) Logo mathematics and Boxer mathematics: Some preliminary comparisons, Proceedings of the Sixteenth International Conference of the Psychology of Mathematics Education, 2, 186–193

    Google Scholar 

  • Noss, R. (1992) The social shaping of computing in mathematics education, in D. Pimm and E. Love (eds.), The Teaching and Learning of School Mathematics, Hodder and Stoughton

    Google Scholar 

  • Papert, S., Watt, D., et al. (1979) Final Report of the Brookline Logo Project, Part 2, AI Memo No. 545, MIT, Cambridge, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Papert, S. (1980) Mindstorms—Children, Computers and Powerful Ideas, New York: Basic Books

    Google Scholar 

  • Papert, S. (1981) Computers and computer cultures, Creative Computing, 7, 82–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Papert, S. ( 1987) Computer criticism versus technocentric thinking, Educational R esearcher, 16/1,22–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Plomp, T.J. and Pelgrum, W. J. (1992) Introduction of computers in education: State of the art in eight countries, Computers and Education, 17/3, 249–258

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherin, B., diSessa, A., Hammer, D. (1993) Dynaturtle revisited: Learning physics through collaborative design of a computer model, in Interactive Learning Environments, 3/2, 91–118

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair, K., Moon, D. (1991) The philosophy of LISP, Communications of the ACM, 34/9, 41–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Soloway, E. (1990) Quick, where do the computers go?, Communications of the ACM, 34/2, 29–33

    Google Scholar 

  • White, B. (1993) Thinker tools: Causal models, conceptual change, and science education, Cognition and Instruction, 10/1, 1–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1995 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this paper

Cite this paper

Kynigos, C. (1995). Programming as a Means of Expressing and Exploring Ideas: Three Case Studies Situated in a Directive Educational System. In: diSessa, A.A., Hoyles, C., Noss, R., Edwards, L.D. (eds) Computers and Exploratory Learning. NATO ASI Series, vol 146. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-57799-4_22

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-57799-4_22

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-63359-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-57799-4

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics