Comments on: A Brief History of Learning With Mobile Computers http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/11/30/a-brief-history-of-learning-with-mobile-computers/ An Online Reflective Journal on Mobile Learning Practice Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:07:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mike Sharples http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/11/30/a-brief-history-of-learning-with-mobile-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-8372 Mike Sharples Sat, 26 Jan 2008 07:03:45 +0000 http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/11/30/a-brief-history-of-learning-with-mobile-computers/#comment-8372 The Dynabook project was not a failure, it was a great success. The team developed the Smalltalk object-oriented programming language, a fore-runner of Java, they implemented it on the new Xerox Alto computer (the world's first desktop computer with a graphical user interface (GUI)), they developed visual simulation programs and tested them with children, and the results of the project informed the Xerox Star computer, the world's first desktop GUI computer. The Start computer inspired the Apple Lisa and Macintosh computers, which in turn inspired Microsoft Windows. So the Dynabook project let directly to the computers used in most schools thorughout the world. However, the Dyanbook was never intended as a classroom computer but as a personal learning aid. It is only 30 years after the Dynabook that we now have handheld computers capable of running powerful networked simulations and communications, at a price children can afford. The One Laptop Per Child project is a realisation of the Dynabook, and Alan Kay is involved developing the software for that through his Viewpoints Research Institute. The Dynabook project was not a failure, it was a great success. The team developed the Smalltalk object-oriented programming language, a fore-runner of Java, they implemented it on the new Xerox Alto computer (the world’s first desktop computer with a graphical user interface (GUI)), they developed visual simulation programs and tested them with children, and the results of the project informed the Xerox Star computer, the world’s first desktop GUI computer. The Start computer inspired the Apple Lisa and Macintosh computers, which in turn inspired Microsoft Windows. So the Dynabook project let directly to the computers used in most schools thorughout the world. However, the Dyanbook was never intended as a classroom computer but as a personal learning aid. It is only 30 years after the Dynabook that we now have handheld computers capable of running powerful networked simulations and communications, at a price children can afford. The One Laptop Per Child project is a realisation of the Dynabook, and Alan Kay is involved developing the software for that through his Viewpoints Research Institute.

]]> By: Dolly Bhasin http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/11/30/a-brief-history-of-learning-with-mobile-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-8371 Dolly Bhasin Sat, 26 Jan 2008 04:00:19 +0000 http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/11/30/a-brief-history-of-learning-with-mobile-computers/#comment-8371 The reason of the failure of Alan Kay's Dynabook is not becuase of its inherent strengths,and too early in the market; but because of the artificial interface created for learning. He probably, did a very good attempt and understands this, but people do not like to change. It is the fear of technology that keeps the user from using the same. The best way to implement and multiply technology usage is to offer it on a system already available to the learners (or readily accessible) and provide support to it in terms of content and pedagogy through software and engaging platforms. I am experimenting on the same, with use of OO technology and an elearning platform with a focus on a vertical industry driven approach. Where knowledge creation is linked to the knowledge delivery through the platform through engaging mechanism addressing a definite capacity development requirement. Some of these thoughts were shared by me at an EU project brainstorming session at Edinburgh, Scottland in November and would be happy to share my ideas to anyone who is interested. The reason of the failure of Alan Kay’s Dynabook is not becuase of its inherent strengths,and too early in the market; but because of the artificial interface created for learning.
He probably, did a very good attempt and understands this, but people do not like to change. It is the fear of technology that keeps the user from using the same.
The best way to implement and multiply technology usage is to offer it on a system already available to the learners (or readily accessible) and provide support to it in terms of content and pedagogy through software and engaging platforms.
I am experimenting on the same, with use of OO technology and an elearning platform with a focus on a vertical industry driven approach. Where knowledge creation is linked to the knowledge delivery through the platform through engaging mechanism addressing a definite capacity development requirement.
Some of these thoughts were shared by me at an EU project brainstorming session at Edinburgh, Scottland in November and would be happy to share my ideas to anyone who is interested.

]]> By: » Why Does Technology-Based Teaching Fail? Mobile Learning http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/11/30/a-brief-history-of-learning-with-mobile-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-8299 » Why Does Technology-Based Teaching Fail? Mobile Learning Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:31:18 +0000 http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/11/30/a-brief-history-of-learning-with-mobile-computers/#comment-8299 [...] I’ve been sharing some of my investigations into the educational technology research of Alan Kay, who was able to effectively translate his [...] [...] I’ve been sharing some of my investigations into the educational technology research of Alan Kay, who was able to effectively translate his [...]

]]> By: Mike Sharples http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/11/30/a-brief-history-of-learning-with-mobile-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-8288 Mike Sharples Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:21:29 +0000 http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/11/30/a-brief-history-of-learning-with-mobile-computers/#comment-8288 A good summary Leonard, and thanks for the generous quotes. I first read the Dynabook articles as a PhD student in the mid 1970s and was inspired both by the technology (which did seem to be just on the horizon) and by the vision of children using powrful personal tools to create shared simulations. There were other handheld devices during the 1980s and 90s, including the Psion organiser (later versions were adopted in some UK schools), the Sinclair and the groundbreaking Poqet PC (http://www.bmason.com/PoqetPC/), but none were based on the educational vision of the Dynabook. It would be good to try and write a definitive history of mobile learning. Incidentally - the HandLeR project started in 1998, not 2002, (as a student group project that I supervised to re-create the Dynabook). A good summary Leonard, and thanks for the generous quotes. I first read the Dynabook articles as a PhD student in the mid 1970s and was inspired both by the technology (which did seem to be just on the horizon) and by the vision of children using powrful personal tools to create shared simulations.

There were other handheld devices during the 1980s and 90s, including the Psion organiser (later versions were adopted in some UK schools), the Sinclair and the groundbreaking Poqet PC (http://www.bmason.com/PoqetPC/), but none were based on the educational vision of the Dynabook. It would be good to try and write a definitive history of mobile learning.

Incidentally – the HandLeR project started in 1998, not 2002, (as a student group project that I supervised to re-create the Dynabook).

]]> By: » The Undiscovered Country Mobile Learning http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/11/30/a-brief-history-of-learning-with-mobile-computers/comment-page-1/#comment-8279 » The Undiscovered Country Mobile Learning Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:21:29 +0000 http://mlearning.edublogs.org/2007/11/30/a-brief-history-of-learning-with-mobile-computers/#comment-8279 [...] Alan Kay conceived the Dynabook, more than 30 years ago, it inspired a wealth of innovations, and is still a worthy “holy [...] [...] Alan Kay conceived the Dynabook, more than 30 years ago, it inspired a wealth of innovations, and is still a worthy “holy [...]

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