The Boston Chapter of the IEEE's Robotics and Automation Society is pleased to announce the following talk: Designing for Designers: A Vision of Learning, Technology, and Computational Media by Fred G. Martin Gleason Research fredm@alum.mit.edu The talk will be given: September 10, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. at Wellesley High School Informal discussion will start at 6:00 p.m. ABSTRACT We are at a crossroads with respect to how we use computers in schools. Our past approach of installing computer labs and providing computer literacy courses does not result in significant new learning. We are limited by impoverished models of the significance of the computer. In Europe, the widespread use of the term "IT" (information technology) has given way to an updated "ICT" (information and communication technology), but these are only two facets of the opportunity that computation has to change our ways of thinking and learning. Presently in the USA, the richer concept of computer as "digital hub" is being popularized. Yet we can go much further when we realize that (1) computation itself is an object-to-think-with, and (2) computation isn't confined to a box on your desk or your lap. Not only can the tools for learning change, but so can our approaches. Instead of increased emphasis on test preparedness, we need alternate types of intellectual activity in schools. Not all learners start from an analytic and formal framework. Students with negotiational, concrete, and "bottom-up" thinking styles learn far better from situated and personally meaningful activities, which give them rapid feedback on their ideas, and ultimately build the foundation for the formal thinking that we value. I will discuss the design and use of computational building materials which encourage their users to take iterative and negotiational design processes as they conceive and carry out their project ideas. These materials include Logo, a programming language written for children, and systems I developed that allow learners to build interactive systems that incorporate sensing, programming, and control. Computation is a powerful idea which can be relevant to many people who don't think of themselves as technologists. When computation is embodied in everyday media and made accessible, it's possible to give people of widely varying ages, backgrounds, and interests the possibility for their own creative expression and learning. ---- Fred Martin earned a BS degree in Computer Science in 1986, a MS in Mechanical Engineering in 1988, and a PhD in Media Arts and Sciences in 1994, all from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. From 1996 to 2000, Fred was a research scientist at the MIT Media Laboratory, where he developed a series of educational robotics materials that laid foundation for the LEGO Mindstorms Robotics Invention System (a widely popular robot building toy which was launched by the LEGO Group in 1998). While a PhD student, Fred co-founded the MIT Autonomous Robot Design Competition, which inspired similar robot design contests worldwide. In 2000, Fred published "Robotic Explorations: A Hands-On Introduction to Engineering" (Prentice-Hall), a textbook that supports college-level courses based on mobile robot design projects. Fred presently runs Gleason Research, a robotics company he co-founded with his wife Wanda Gleason, and consults on educational projects in Ireland, the United States, and across the world. In September 2002, Fred will be joining the faculty of the Computer Science department at UMass Lowell. Meeting Information The IEEE Robotics and Automation Society will meet on Tuesday, September 10, 2002, at Wellesley High School at 6:00 PM for informal discussions and for the formal presentation between 6:30 and 7:30 PM. The group will have a no-host dinner afterwards at Bertucci's, where more conversations can take place with the guest speaker. The meetings are open to the general public, and all are welcome at the dinner afterwards. For more information contact Mike Brenner at 781-271-3806 or the Chapter email address: info@robotics-boston.org Directions From Route 128, take either Route 9 or Route 16 west. >From the junction of Routes 9 and 16, follow Route 16 (Washington Street) west past the Wellesley Hills commuter rail station (within walking distance of the school), then turn left onto Rice Street. Wellesley High School is on the left. Parking is available in a lot just beyond the school. For a web map showing the location of Wellesley High School, go to the Yahoo map site at http://maps.yahoo.com/ and enter the following information in the indicated locations: Address: 50 Rice St City, State or ZIP: Wellesley, MA The star marker is misplaced slightly to the south. Imagine it about 1 cm toward the top of the map at Rice St. For more information about our Section and Chapter, visit our web site at our URL http://www.robotics-boston.org/ or subscribe to our mailing list by sending a blank email message to: Robotics.Boston-subscribe@topica.com