1. How and with whom young children use Logo Dr. Catherine Wilson Gillespie Drake University Des Moines, Iowa

2. What is Logo? Logo is a child-friendly computer language Developed by Dr. Seymour Papert (MIT) in 1968 Computer-based software that uses Logo includes: –Lego-Logo –MicroWorlds

3. Is Logo Developmentally Appropriate? Age Interest Culture

4. How do Young Children use Logo? Constructing Demonstrating Role Playing Using Construction Talking

5. Kindergarteners One hour of Lego-Logo time three times per week Lego and MicroWorlds both available Discovery approach Nine target children over two years

6. Kindergarteners Target ChildrenAverage time spent constructing 5 Boys66% (range 59-73%) 4 Girls66% (range 41-80%)

7. Head Start students MicroWorlds as a choice activity During center time Discovery approach All children observed Target children were the frequent users

8. Head Start students Target children who were observed constructing 10% or more of the time they used MicroWorlds Average time spent constructing Ralph67% Rich59%

9. With whom do children use Lego? Alone With a peer With a teacher With peer(s) and a teacher

10. With Whom Children Used Logo While Constructing KindergartenersAloneWith a Peer Boys50%32% Girls55%21%

11. With Whom Children Used Logo While Constructing Head Start Students AloneWith an Adult Boys68%20%

12. Conclusions Age differences No gender differences in behavior Gender differences in social configurations Discovery approach with support can be developmentally appropriate for children ages 3-6

13. Thank you Iowa Early Childhood Papert Partnership –Drake University –Drake University Head Start –Des Moines Public Schools –Norwalk Public Schools –Heartland Area Education Agency