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Digital Technology for Conviviality:
Making the Most of Students' Energy and Imagination in Learning Environments.
Arnan Sipitakiat
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Submitted to the
Program in Media Arts and Sciences,
School of Architecture and Planning in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Media Arts and
Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
August 2001
Thesis
Advisors:
- Seymour Papert
Professor of Education and Media Technology MIT Media Laboratory
- Glorianna Davenport
Principal Research Associate, Interactive Cinema Group MIT Media
Laboratory
- David P. Cavallo
Research Scientist, The Future of Learning Group MIT Media Laboratory
Abstract
This thesis contributes to the body of research on constructionist
philosophy. It expands the conceptual framework to a broader scale by linking
constructionism to Ivan Illich’s notion of conviviality. An emphasis on
developing convivial learning environments has been made. The learning
activities were developed with a special highlight on the idea of emergent
design. The emphasis on conviviality and emergent design allowed a systematic
and theorized framework to identify and discuss the pattern in the developmental
process of learning activities, which is an area in the constructionist
framework that needs more study. I gave special emphasis on learning activities
that involve tool construction. I show how the making of tools could strengthen
conviviality. I present a concept of dynamic equilibrium that allows different
methods of learning and teaching to intertwine. I present a case study based on
a five-week fieldwork conducted at a rural school of northern Thailand.
Download the thesis.
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