Loren describes on June 12 why he's still programming, including for Tablet PCs, Ultra-Mobile PCs and other mobiles, after 30 years.

What strikes me as I sit here and reflect on my years of programming, is that what interests me today is very much the same things that have excited me all along--the things I do not know... I had a great teacher and a couple of friends that were as enthusiastic about learning ... that we just figured things out as we went along.

... there are so many things that would be interesting to work on. All of which I don't know how to do. That's the best part. That's what keeps me going. There are so many things to learn and discover. It's why I keep programming.

Loren's an alumnus of the first Direct Instruction experimental preschool class at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1964. He took 20 minutes of instruction in 120 minutes elapsed time 5 days a week on a university schedule in standard English, reading, writing, mathematics (not arithematic calculations), and sciences. They showed him how to break each of the codes (the few simple core steps or formulae) that organize each of these areas. He took that head start through schooling and into advanced technology.

So have other productive people. It's a puzzle why so many teachers continue to hide these codes from students rather than directly, promptly showing learners quickly (in minutes) how to demonstrate these basic competencies.

Among his other programs for mobile PCs (Ink Gestures, MathPractice, Fraction Practice, ... available on TabletPCPost), Loren has written software for learners to increase their acquisition rates through Direct Learning.

Kudos, Loren. Thanks for your candor. We look forward to your next program release.

Tablet PC Education Blog