Building and Learning with Programmable Bricks

In many educational computer projects, children control and manipulate worlds in the computer. Using one program, children can control the movements of Newtonian “dynaturtles” in physics microworlds (Abelson & diSessa, 1980). Using a different program, children can create and manipulate simulated urban worlds, constructing houses, roads, and factories, and setting tax rates for the city (Wright, 1990).