re:computer
nate (schmolze who-is-at students.wisc.edu)
Tue, 24 Mar 1998 21:31:16 -0600
I am finding the discussion on computers as tool interesting. I
am reminded of my son talking to the computer and expecting an
answer and with certain software programs he does. In his mind
he is interacting with the computer not the programmer of the
software. The discussion reminded me of Mike Cole's chapter in
Contexts of Learning, I believe, in which students had
interaction with the programmers. At times I respond to a
computer as a tool, as in writing a paper, and at other times I
respond to it as something more than that. At times the
interaction with my computer appears to more closely resemble
human intraction than using it solely as a tool. Earlier the
example of Deep Blue was brought up. Yes, in a way it was the
computer programmers who beat the chess master, but I wonder if
the chess master saw himself playing the computer or the
programmers. I guess I am not sure one can limit computers to
merely being a tool.
Nate Schmolze
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/9148/index.html
schmolze who-is-at students.wisc.edu