"You can't think about thinking without thinking about thinking about something."- Seymour Papert

Thinking about Thinking about Seymour, a day-long symposium at the MIT Media Lab, celebrated the ideas and research of Seymour Papert, pioneer of Constructionist learning, whose thinking and projects profoundly influenced and inspired generations of children, educators, and researchers around the world.

A world-renowned mathematician, learning theorist, and educational-technology visionary, Seymour Papert delighted in his interactions with children of all ages and from all walks of life. He was among the first to understand the revolutionary potential of computers in children’s learning, recognizing that computers could be used not just to deliver information and instruction, but also to empower children to experiment, explore, and express themselves.

Agenda

Ira Flatow, moderator

Welcome Joi Ito, Artemis Papert

Rethinking Media Nicholas Negroponte

Rethinking Learning Mitch Resnick

Rethinking Making Dale Dougherty, Brian Silverman, Gary Stager, Karen Wilkinson

Rethinking Objects Sherry Turkle

Rethinking Laptops Senator Angus King

Rethinking School Paulo Blikstein, Idit Harel, Tod Machover, Rena Upitis

Rethinking Ideas Alan Kay

Rethinking Math Hal Abelson, Celia Hoyles, Richard Noss, Uri Wilensky

A Conversation with Suzanne Massie Papert

Rethinking Thinking Danny Hillis

Rethinking the World David Cavallo, Clotilde Fonseca, Jacqueline Karaaslanian, Bob Massie, Fatimata Sylla,

Rethinking Play Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen

Edith Ackermann, a former Media Lab faculty member who worked closely with Seymour, was slated to participate in the Rethinking School panel. Sadly, Edith passed away on December 24. She was greatly missed.