Computer Use and Free Play

I've seen a lot of talk lately about how computers take time away from "Free play." I simply don't agree. I think that computers can be just another type of free play. If you're playing with blocks, you're probably not kicking a ball around outside. If you're putting on a puppet show, you're probably not playing with finger paints. Free play to me suggests that you're engaging in an open-ended activity, where the journey as well as the final result is up to you (and possibly your playmates). Computers can do that as well.

Let's imagine a world without social networking sites, virtual worlds, pre-programmed video games and the like. What types of activities can kids engage in that replicate "real life" free play or that provide a different free play experience entirely? There is no "right" answer.

My first thought is to introduce MicroWorlds (relatively simple, graphic-based software that allows kids to program). Kids might create an animated story, their own video game, a reality TV show, artwork, an animated greeting card, or a variety of other cool things.

What do you think? Post your thoughts in the comments or over in the forum.