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How and with whom young children use Logo
Dr. Catherine Wilson Gillespie
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa
What is Logo?
• Logo is a child-friendly computer language• Developed by Dr. Seymour Papert (MIT) in 1968• Computer-based software that uses Logo includes:
– Lego-Logo– MicroWorlds
Is Logo Developmentally Appropriate?
• Age• Interest• Culture
How do Young Children use Logo?
• Constructing
• Demonstrating
• Role Playing
• Using Construction
• Talking
Kindergarteners
• One hour of Lego-Logo time three times per week• Lego and MicroWorlds both available• Discovery approach• Nine target children over two years
Kindergarteners
Target Children Average time spent constructing
5 Boys 66%
(range 59-73%)
4 Girls 66%
(range 41-80%)
Head Start students
• MicroWorlds as a choice activity
• During center time
• Discovery approach
• All children observed
• Target children were the frequent users
Head Start students
Target children who were observed constructing
10% or more of the time they used MicroWorlds
Average time spent constructing
Ralph 67%
Rich 59%
With whom do children use Lego?
• Alone
• With a peer
• With a teacher
• With peer(s) and a teacher
With Whom Children Used Logo While Constructing
Kindergarteners Alone With a Peer
Boys 50% 32%
Girls 55% 21%
With Whom Children Used Logo While Constructing
Head Start
Students
Alone With an Adult
Boys 68% 20%
Conclusions
• Age differences
• No gender differences in behavior
• Gender differences in social configurations
• Discovery approach with support can be developmentally appropriate for children ages 3-6
Thank you
• Iowa Early Childhood Papert Partnership– Drake University– Drake University Head Start– Des Moines Public Schools– Norwalk Public Schools– Heartland Area Education Agency