The Seymour Test

The Seymour Test

Multiple Choice

Complete the statement

According to Papert, "powerful ideas" ...

• Are main concepts that are isolated to a single domain.

• Should be relevant to learner's lives and build on prior knowledge.

• Can only be learned via computers.

• Are easy to learn.

Multiple Choice

Constructionist learning designs are most like...

• Aquariums

• Playpens

• Pharmacies

• Playgrounds

Multiple Choice

You are evaluating an activity involving Lego using through a constructionist lens. Which of the following factors would make the activity fail the Seymour Test?

• The learners already love playing with Legos. They use them every day during recess.

• The activity involves designing and building cars and seeing how they move.

• The activity ends as soon as the learners discover that the height of the ramp determines the distance cars will roll.

• The learners love rolling down the grassy hills during gym class.

Multiple Select

Which of the following is an example of computers playing a liberatory role in learning?

• Students in Utah using a computer simulation to study ocean currents.

• Students calculating Pi and looking for their phone number in it.

• Students exploring their personal values and morals.

• Students demonstrating proficiency at using a pottery wheel to create a symmetrical object.