Professor Seymour Papert

Biography
• Born February 29, 1928 in
South Africa.
• Career focused on redefining
how children learned.
• World’s foremost expert on how technology
can provide new ways to learn.
• Mathematician and early pioneer of Artificial
Intelligence
• Professor at MIT
 Theory
• Constructionism, worked with Piaget
– Not teacher centered.
– Children will do best by finding (fishing) for
themselves the specific knowledge they need.
The goal is to teach in such a way as to produce
the most learning for the least teaching.
• Expanded constructivist theory to the
digital world.
 How his Theory Applies to Education:
• When asked what he believe the role of teachers
in schools of the future will be he states: “To be
co-learners.”
• Used computer networks as a new medium for
construction.
• LEGO Mindstorms used for an
introduction to programming, engineering,
or robotics.
• MaMaMedia used as an opportunity for
• students to participate in the digital world.
MaMaMedia/LEGO Mindstorms

http://www.MaMaMedia.com
 Classroom Activity
• Using a computer program in a biology
classroom have students dissect animals to
learn the different organs.
• Dissection Works, by Science Works
– Allows students to explore the anatomy of
various animals through the use of
computer simulations and programs.
Final Thought