Children, cybernetics, and programmable turtles

A microworld to support investigations of cybernetics is developed, consisting of a miniature computer programmable in Logo, called the "Logo Brick," a:lc mobile mechanical vehicles built of LEGO plastic parts. These "Programmable Turtles" are equipped with various sensors, including touch sensors and light sensors. A series of experiments with these materials is performed with two groups of elementary school children, aged from twelve to fifteen years. The children design behaviors for the Turtles by writing Logo programs and building materials in the Turtles' environment. The children encounter several powerful ideas in cybernetics: feedback, multiple levels of analysis, and object/environment boundaries. Through the course of the experiments, their understanding of the Programmable Turtles deepens and becomes more flexible. Thesis Supervisor: Seymour Papert Professor of Media Technology