The past and future of textbooks, from Euclid's Elements to Neal Stephenson's Diamond Age, with stops along the way at Hypercard, Khan Academy, MOOCs, SRI and Versal
7. Computer labs
The purpose is to provide a microcomputer institutional-related
service to students while on campus. Huh?
8. 1987: A learning breakthrough
“Before the Web did anything, Hypercard did everything.”
- Ars Technica
9. The Diamond Age…
“The Illustrated Primer is an
extremely general an powerful
system capable of more external
self-reconfiguration than most.
Remember that a fundamental
part of its job is to respond to its
environment. If the owner were to
take up a pen and write on a
blank page, this input would be
thrown into the hopper along with
everything else, so to speak.”
-Neal Stephenson , 1995
10. Online courses circa 1990s:
Many busts
• Repurposed content
• Lack of interactivity
• Not collaborative
• No good creation tools
11. Researchers knew what was missing
• Interactivity
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Feedback
Often called the industrialization of education. Classrooms, fixed seats and teachers
John Dewey, learning by doing
Televisions on wheels
The computer lab always seemed to be grafted on to schools. Ultimately the body rejected the transplant.
https://student.uj.ac.za/docs/THE%20PURPOSE%20AND%20LOCATION%20OF%20GENERAL%20MICROCOMPUTER%20LABORATORIES.pdf
Groundbreaking achievement that showed how computers can improve learning.
You became the main character. The lessons were addressed to you. They related to your actual experience. Used voice.
