Product Description

This "how to" project book introduces "Squeak" an open-source, multi-platform, free software, media authoring tool. It includes 12 "Etoy" projects in a sequential curriculum that explore powerful ideas such as feedback, increase-by, acceleration and gravity. Also included are several off-computer activities to amplify the computer-based projects. Projects are tied to state and national standards and frameworks in math and science. Best suited for learners grades 3-8.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1413509 in Books
• Published on: 2003-08-18
• Binding: Paperback
• 87 pages

From the Publisher
Viewpoints Research Institute Inc. is a non profit organization dedicated to improving education by developing new media and tools and making them readily available to the public.

About the Author
BJ Conn has been a teacher in the Los Angeles Unified District for 36 years and is currently teaching at the Open Charter School. She has been working for the last 20 years to create meaningful ways to help integrate technology into classroom curriculum, especially in the areas of math and science. She is the recipient of numerous grants and awards for her work and was nominated for Teacher of the Year in 1988. BJ has been called upon to share her knowledge and successes with technology within the Los Angeles Unified School District, as well as numerous conferences and workshops throughout the United States.

BJ has had the pleasure of working with Alan Kay since 1985, when the the Open Charter School was chosen to be the research site for Apple Computer’s Vivarium Project.

BJ received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from California State College at Los Angeles in 1968. She has worked as a teacher consultant for Apple Computer, and Walt Disney Imagineering Research & Development. She is also a member of the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences.

Kim Rose is co-founder and Executive Director of Viewpoints Research Institute, Inc., the non profit organization devoted to the continued research and development of Squeak and other new media environments. She is also a Systems Program Manager at Hewlett-Packard. A media developer, media critic, and cognitive scientist, she has worked with Alan Kay and his research team since 1986.

Kim works with children and teachers in a variety of schools, universities and community learning centers around the world to develop and test Squeak and Squeak-based collaborative dynamic curriculum and to explore how powerful ideas can become more accessible to children. Kim received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1979. In 1995, she was invited to be a visiting scholar at NYU's Media Ecology Department.

Customer Reviews

develop/teach physical concepts
A short little book for a primary school teacher wanting to give her students some appreciation of simple physical concepts like gravity and acceleration. Conn demonstrates how using a standard PC, it is possible to install and use Squeak. A free software package with simple graphics that can help students develop their physical intuition.

It is also easy for the teacher to quickly learn and code in Squeak, if she wants customised applications that she can't find in open source.