He made sure that they were arranged in pairs so that the preschoolers would have a co-learner beside them for support whenever they used the devices. Not only have he and his colleagues found interesting ways for children to use the computers, but they have pioneered an unexpected kind of learning support for university students. In an experiment, computer-novice tertiary students worked beside experienced preschoolers. Having small people successfully making things happen on the machine provided crucial moral support for anxious large people. Learners must resolutely pursue support when it is not immediately at hand.
Moral support can be as valuable as material support.
Now I'm on sabbatical again. Earlier computer networks have evolved into the Internet. With support here at the University of Technology, Sydney I explore cyberspace. Because I'm on sabbatical, I have the time to learn more about what is available. I can search library catalogues, copy documents or software from online data bases, scan the campus news from back home and keep in touch with colleagues there by electronic mail.