Administrators & MicroWorlds

["Jeff Knope" <jknope@xxxxxxxx>]

Another thread that briefly flowered was a discussion of how to convince
school administrators of the value of teaching MicroWorlds.  I've been giving
this some further thought.

I think one serious error made by almost all users of MicroWorlds, including
most teachers, is the perception of MicroWorlds as essentially a "children's
program."  LCSI markets it that way.  And most users use it that way.

I have a little different take on it.  I have found absolutely nothing I can't
do in MicroWorlds.  And I have put it through its paces:
  I've interfaced it with a GPS receiver, and used the data to accurately draw
my movements on USGS maps, showing not only where I am and where I've been,
but also my distance traveled, current speed, elevation above sealevel,
real-world heading, and the elapsed time of my trip.

  I've interfaced it with a digitizer, and used that data in a variety of ways.

  I've taught it how to both listen to and talk to a professional CAD program,
thereby adding the power of artificial intelligence to the creation of
technical drawings.  

  For example, with the mouse, I can give MicroWorlds the perimeter shape and
size of a building (and a little bit more information), and it will
automatically design and draw the foundations, locate and correctly size the
piers, girders and joists.  It will produce a completely dimensioned and
correctly drawn Foundation and Floor Framing Plan, in any of several CAD file
formats.  Normally at least a full day's work, accomplished in a matter of a
few minutes.

These reflect only my personal and somewhat obscure and idiosyncratic
interests.  I have no doubt MicroWorlds will prove equally useful for any
other intentions as well.

I've found it not difficult to make my own buttons and sliders and dials and
whatever, giving them any appearance and functionality I want. In MicroWorlds,
every single pixel is completely and easily under user control.  You can give
your programs as professional and polished appearance and functionality as you
want.

MicroWorlds empowers all users to make personal computers a tool completely
under their control.  In the years to come, this will become the equivalent of
handwriting:  An element of a most basic literacy.

I think MicroWorlds should be seen (and promoted) as a key point-of-access to
this literacy; a tool for all ages, at all levels of sophistication.
Something to start with in the primary grades, and ultimately used as a medium
for doctoral theses, and life-long use.

That's what I think administrators need to be helped to understand about it.

--Jeff