Exploring the World of Computers and Technology for School-Age Children – Enter Magazine
In the early 1980s, as computers and technology were rapidly evolving, Children’s Television Workshop (CTW), later renamed Sesame Workshop, saw an opportunity to create a magazine that would help school-age children navigate the world of computers and technology. Thus, Enter magazine was born in October 1983. Over the course of its brief run, the magazine published 17 issues, ten times per year, with a cover that declared, “The world of computers and new technology.”
Enter magazine was unique in its approach to educating children about computers and technology. Rather than simply providing information, it encouraged readers to get their hands dirty by including programs in the BASIC computer language that they could type into their own home computers. This approach was designed to help readers learn by doing, and the magazine’s publishers hoped that it would inspire a new generation of computer enthusiasts.
Each issue of Enter magazine featured articles on technological innovations of the day. One such innovation was optical disc recording technology, which was new at the time. Enter magazine explained how this new technology worked and how it could be used in a variety of applications.
Unlike other magazines produced by CTW, Enter magazine did not tie into a television series produced by the organization. Instead, it stood on its own as a technology-focused magazine. However, in June 1985, some of its features were integrated into 3-2-1 Contact magazine. The “Enter section” became a new feature in 3-2-1 Contact and included computer programs. This section was later renamed “BASIC training.”
Despite its innovative approach, Enter magazine was not without its challenges. The magazine’s target audience was school-age children, but not all children had access to computers in their homes, and those who did often had limited access. Additionally, the magazine’s content was sometimes too technical for younger readers, which may have limited its appeal.
After only two years, Enter magazine ceased publication in May 1985. Although its run was brief, the magazine left an indelible mark on the world of technology and computer education. Enter magazine helped to shape the future of computer education by providing a platform to introduce young readers to computer programming. Many readers who were introduced to computers through Enter magazine went on to become computer scientists, software engineers, and other technology professionals.
Today, as technology continues to evolve and become more prevalent in our daily lives, the legacy of Enter magazine lives on. Its innovative approach to educating children about computers and technology helped to lay the foundation for a new era of computer education, and its impact can still be felt in the world of technology today.
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