Why We Banned Legos - Volume 21 No. 2 - Winter 2006 - Rethinking Schools Online
Thanks to Meg for this.
A several month study of school children in an after-care program where the economy of a Legoland is studied, morals and values explored and built, and then re-studied. Legoland starts off capitalistic, those with power get more and exclude others with less experience, etc. The teachers dislike such values, Legos go away, and value building starts. Fascinating to see how children can easily see to the root of issues, children are just good at being naively honest and it makes for quick exploitation of situations.
The children struggle with what power means, etc. In redesigns of the Lego economy the children play a trading type of game. Those with the most power try to make the game more fair, while of course preserving some power. Naturally, the acts of generosity are held in contempt with the "less fortunate" children.
In the end, the learned values taught the children to collaborate and work as a team for a common goal as they build a new Legoland. As I read about the new Legoland I wondered if the whole scheme seemed rather socialist.
What concerns me abut such a lesson is that the children are being taught that it is best to avoid such an "unfair" world and opt for more socialist calibration, and much like Marx argued. It is nice in theory but how applicable is such methodology in today's globalized ultra-capitalistic economy? On the other hand, a great, focused, bit of teaching creativity.
