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