These books as well numerous other printed and spoken presentations have had deep influence on hundreds of thousands of parents, educators, and policy makers throughout the world. His major works, such as “Mindstorms,” “The Children’s Machine,” and “The Connected Family,” explain the role that computers can play in constructionist learning. Constructionism was his antidote to sterile, passive, teacher-centered environments. Papert coined the term “constructionism” to define his conception of learning as active engagement in the creation of a product.
In the 60’s, at a time when computers were seen as an devices for elite academicians, he created the Logo programming language which was one of the first uses of computers as a learning resource for children. Long before there was any appreciable recognition of the role of computers as a resource for learning in schools, he understood the potential of computers to enrich learning opportunities for children. In 1980, when the MIT Media Lab was founded, he was one of the six faculty members who transferred to the Lab as part of the core faculty for it. In 1959, along with Marvin Minsky, he was one of the founders of MIT’s Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. He was instrumental in the development of several units at MIT that played a vitally important role in advancing information technology worldwide. He accepted a one-year appointment since he was not intending to stay in the U.S., but the one year turned into an appointment as a tenured professorship in the Department of Mathematics. In 1964, he was invited to MIT as a research scientist in a cross-departmental research lab that was developing computer systems to augment human abilities. Seymour Papert came to recognize the seminal importance of the intersection of the study of the mind with the development of computers even when computers were in a primitive state. Piaget is said to have remarked, “No one understands my work better than Seymour Papert.” Their association actually lasted from 1958-1963. Working with Piaget, Papert had the opportunity to focus on unraveling the ways in which children build their understanding of the world around them. As a consequence of Papert’s association with leading mathematicians in Paris and his deep interest in understanding mental processes and learning, he was brought to the attention of Jean Piaget who was seeking a mathematician to work with him for a year. Paris was also the home of the Bourbaki Group which was the “avant-garde” in mathematics. He flourished in an environment where one could challenge convention and explore new ideas. He received permission to do his doctoral studies in the Paris where he found a setting that was more stimulating than he had found at Cambridge. Papert left South Africa to pursue doctoral studies at Cambridge where he received a doctorate in mathematics. Later it was children in the world in general and in the United States in particular. Even so, he never abandoned his passion for social justice for those who were underserved by society. He chose a career in mathematics since it was politically neutral while still enabling him to cultivate his study of the mind. His major intellectual interest was focused on understanding the structure and functioning of the human mind.
With considerable personal risk, he became an active opponent to the racist polices of South Africa.
#Seymour papert constructionism professional#
His experiences in apartheid South Africa had profound impact on his personal and professional life.
Seymour Papert was born in Pretoria, South Africa where his primary, secondary, and early college education occurred. Papert’s early contribution and ongoing commitment to the education technology community. The association presents this award in honor of Dr. Seymour Papert, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). It will be granted only when a deserving member is identified by CoSN.ĬoSN is proud to present its inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. The first year that COSN presented this award was in 2006, and in 2009 it was renamed the Seymour Papert Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes a CoSN member’s lifelong contribution to technology and education.
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