Welcome teachers, homeschoolers, parents and interested kids!
In this part of the site we give etoys examples being used in schools now, hear from teachers and others using Squeak as an "educational tool", and also give a background of Squeak and education and of why and how Squeak came about. Squeak's main purpose was to provide a playful and empowering arena for kids to learn important ideas.
Alan Kay and his colleagues have been working for many years on how to use computers as a kind of enhanced playground in which learning takes place naturally - and with great fun. Amazing advances have taken place since they first approached this problem in the late 60’s.
In the recent film on Squeak in schools entitled Squeakers, kids in fifth and sixth grade learn to simulate gravity and use differential equations in a context much different from most math taught today.
For a step by step guide through a Squeak example visit an excerpt from the book "Powerful Ideas in the Classroom - Using Squeak to Enhance Math and Science Learning" (Book Excerpt) by BJ Allen-Conn and Kim Rose. And remember to check out our Squeak tutorials. You might also want to print a copy or our Etoys Quickstart Guide.
For an understanding of why Dr. Kay and his colleagues have created Squeak, and why he feels math and science literacy are important, visit Education Background Essays
And for examples you can try on your own or with your students, see School Examples below. If you would like a preview of Squeak then feel free to check out the HTML version of our Drive-a-Car Tutorial.