Educational programming at MIT AI Lab: which language environment did Seymour Papert design to help children learn through exploratory computing and turtle graphics?

Introduction / Context:
Seymour Papert, a pioneer in constructionist learning, believed children learn best by making and exploring. He co-developed a programming environment centered on simple commands and visual feedback via ‘‘turtle graphics,’’ enabling learners to internalize mathematical and computational ideas by creating artifacts.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The environment originated at MIT's AI Lab.
• It was explicitly designed for children and education.
• It featured turtle graphics for immediate visual reinforcement.

Concept / Approach:

The language is LOGO. Its command set (forward, right, left, penup, pendown) and immediate-mode execution make abstract geometry and procedure concepts tangible. LOGO embodied Papert's constructionism by empowering learners to build and reflect rather than passively consume information.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Histories of educational computing consistently cite LOGO as Papert's signature contribution, implemented on early microcomputers and school labs.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

BASIC/FORTRAN: Popular languages but not designed around Papert's constructionist principles.

MYCIN: A medical expert system, unrelated to programming education.

None: Incorrect because LOGO precisely fits.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing LOGO with general introductory languages; LOGO's pedagogy and graphics set it apart.

Final Answer:

LOGO