Rejecting the notion that the computer is merely a tool for more efficient instruction, this book shows how computers can be the basis for a new literacy that will change how people think and learn. It discusses the learning theory that explains why computers can be such powerful catalysts for change in education, in particular, how intuitive knowledge is the platform on which students build scientific understanding. It also discusses the material and social reasons for the computer's potential and argues for "two-way literacies," where everyone is a creator as well as consumer of dynamic and interactive expressive forms. The author gives many examples from his work using the Boxer computer environment, an integrated software system designed to investigate computational literacies. Chapters cover: (1) Computational Media and New Literacies--The Very Idea; (2) How It Might Be; (3) Snapshots: A Day in the Life; (4) Foundations of Knowledge and Learning; (5) Intuition and Activity Elaborated; (6) Explaining Things, Explainable Things; (7) Designing Computer Systems for People; (8) More Snapshots: Kids Are Smart; and (9) Stepping Back, Looking Forward. (Contains chapter notes and resources. Includes an index.) (AEF)