Present (Margie's Time):
* Individualized, mechanized learning: Children learn through mechanical "teacher" machines that provide personalized lessons and assessments.
* No interaction with other students: Margie and Tommy learn in isolation, with no classmates or social interaction in their learning environment.
* No physical books: Textbooks are digital and stored in the "teacher" machines.
* Focus on rote learning: Education seems to be heavily reliant on memorizing facts and information, with little emphasis on creativity or critical thinking.
Past (Tommy's Book's Time):
* Traditional classroom learning: Children learn together in physical classrooms with teachers.
* Social interaction and collaboration: Students interact with each other and learn from their peers.
* Physical books: Textbooks are tangible objects that students share and experience together.
* More dynamic and engaging learning: The story suggests that learning in the past involved a more dynamic and interactive approach, with discussions, debates, and hands-on activities.
Other Key Differences:
* Technology: The future society in the story is heavily reliant on technology for almost every aspect of life, including education, entertainment, and communication. In the past, technology is much less prominent.
* Sense of wonder and adventure: The story implies that children in the past had a greater sense of wonder and adventure about learning, while Margie and Tommy find their education monotonous and tedious.
* Freedom and choice: While Margie and Tommy are confined to a rigid, automated learning system, the past suggests more freedom and choice in education.
In essence, "The Fun They Had" paints a stark contrast between the past and present, highlighting the potential dangers of over-reliance on technology and the importance of social interaction and human connection in the learning process.