Work Models

  1. Flow Model
  2. Sequence Model
  3. Artifact Model
  4. Cultural Model
  5. Physical Model
  6. Metaphors

Research

  1. Design Problem
  2. Literature Review
  3. Work Models
  4. Design Patterns
  5. Design Experiments
  6. Lesson Ideas
  7. Montessori Computes
  8. Thinking About Circles

Related Links

Patterns and Design

Montessori

Computer as Gateway

Computers do more than help us accomplish work or arrange and store documents and applications.  They are also access points to the internet.

Internet as field trip

According to Polk (1996), "the materials on the shelves lead the children to exploration beyond the classroom walls, out into the community and world beyond: to libraries, museums, universities, parks, observatories, botanical gardens, zoos, concert halls, homes of local residents who are knowledgeable or gifted in a particular field of study, and more." (Polk, 1996, p. 58).

In the Information Age, the Internet might qualify as part of the "and more".  But another question arose when talking about kids on the Internet:  When is a child old enough to go out by herself for a walk in cyberspace?

Polk (1996) describes the Montessori activity of "going out" as a series of exercises that build on each other.  Once the child has shown responsible behavior inside the classroom, she may be allowed to go to other parts of school building, then out to the school grounds, then gradually out into the community.

A parallel might be drawn here with the use of Internet Explorer.  The child may first use Internet Explorer on a machine that is not wired at all, by accessing HTML files from a local disk.  Then, the child might access the web through software that limits her to accessing particular links, then through software that filters out particular links.

Internet as conversation

E-mail or online chat could be used for various language exercises.  It can also be used to communicate with local or remote experts "who are knowledgeable or gifted in a particular field of study" (Polk, 1996, p. 58)

Leone Learning Systems, Inc. (LLS) is a North Shore company that provides online courses for kids anywhere and local teaching and tutoring services for students in Chicago and the Northern Suburbs of Chicagoland. LLS also provides a free geometry software package for children age 6 and up, and free resources for teachers and parents. This site includes information about classes taught, availability for tutoring, learning activities for kids, lesson plans, and an ongoing software and curriculum research and development effort.