Jim writes -

And I don't buy the machine:power/kid:schmuck scenario. When kids can manipulate a simulation to produce a result, they feel empowered. If the result doesn't honor the parameters of the simulation, the kids immediately label the developer/machine "lame" -- not themselves.

The medium is the message. And if "busting out" is not even a possibility, remind me: why am I learning to program? A great learning environment game idea = the goal is to bust out of the learning environment. We need to make kids *want* to bust out, not stay in. I've never seen that made part of the game. Nor expect I will. First message of all these environments: there is no way out. Art