The Fun they had Class 9 PPT

 Page 1


THE FUN THEY HAD
ISAAC ASIMOV
Page 2


THE FUN THEY HAD
ISAAC ASIMOV
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isaac Asimov (1920- 1992) was an American 
writer and professor of Biochemistry at Boston 
University. He was known for his works of 
Science fiction and popular Science. Asimov 
was a prolific writer who wrote or edited more 
than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 
letters and postcards. Isaac Asimov was the 
Grand Master of the Science Fiction Writers of 
America, the founder of robot ethics, and one 
of the world’s most prolific authors of fiction.
Page 3


THE FUN THEY HAD
ISAAC ASIMOV
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isaac Asimov (1920- 1992) was an American 
writer and professor of Biochemistry at Boston 
University. He was known for his works of 
Science fiction and popular Science. Asimov 
was a prolific writer who wrote or edited more 
than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 
letters and postcards. Isaac Asimov was the 
Grand Master of the Science Fiction Writers of 
America, the founder of robot ethics, and one 
of the world’s most prolific authors of fiction.
CENTRAL IDEA OF THE STORY
The central idea of the story 'The Fun They had' is to build a comparison between the 
method of education used in the past and the present. The importance of the traditional form 
of education has been highlighted in the story. The computerized form of education had 
replaced the traditional form. This has increased the gap among the students. The story also 
focuses on preserving the things which have happened in the past. 
It is rather interesting to read about the conversation between the little kids. They get 
fascinated by the concept of ‘school’ which prevailed in the days of their grandparents. 
Moreover, they also talk about how those days were much more fun. ‘The Fun They Had’ 
does show us the reality of technology taking over in the near future.
Page 4


THE FUN THEY HAD
ISAAC ASIMOV
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isaac Asimov (1920- 1992) was an American 
writer and professor of Biochemistry at Boston 
University. He was known for his works of 
Science fiction and popular Science. Asimov 
was a prolific writer who wrote or edited more 
than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 
letters and postcards. Isaac Asimov was the 
Grand Master of the Science Fiction Writers of 
America, the founder of robot ethics, and one 
of the world’s most prolific authors of fiction.
CENTRAL IDEA OF THE STORY
The central idea of the story 'The Fun They had' is to build a comparison between the 
method of education used in the past and the present. The importance of the traditional form 
of education has been highlighted in the story. The computerized form of education had 
replaced the traditional form. This has increased the gap among the students. The story also 
focuses on preserving the things which have happened in the past. 
It is rather interesting to read about the conversation between the little kids. They get 
fascinated by the concept of ‘school’ which prevailed in the days of their grandparents. 
Moreover, they also talk about how those days were much more fun. ‘The Fun They Had’ 
does show us the reality of technology taking over in the near future.
THEME of the story
• 'The Fun They Had' is a short story that falls in the category of Science fiction and has the 
future year 2157 as its background setting. It takes us into a world where computers would 
play a major role in educating children. Isaac Asimov wrote this story in 1951 for a 
syndicated newspaper page. Later, 'The Fun They Had' was published in 'Fantasy and 
Science Fiction' magazine. 
• The main theme of this story is that of education. More specifically, the narrative deals 
with the future of education which will become increasingly Computerized and estranged 
from social interactions.
Page 5


THE FUN THEY HAD
ISAAC ASIMOV
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isaac Asimov (1920- 1992) was an American 
writer and professor of Biochemistry at Boston 
University. He was known for his works of 
Science fiction and popular Science. Asimov 
was a prolific writer who wrote or edited more 
than 500 books and an estimated 90,000 
letters and postcards. Isaac Asimov was the 
Grand Master of the Science Fiction Writers of 
America, the founder of robot ethics, and one 
of the world’s most prolific authors of fiction.
CENTRAL IDEA OF THE STORY
The central idea of the story 'The Fun They had' is to build a comparison between the 
method of education used in the past and the present. The importance of the traditional form 
of education has been highlighted in the story. The computerized form of education had 
replaced the traditional form. This has increased the gap among the students. The story also 
focuses on preserving the things which have happened in the past. 
It is rather interesting to read about the conversation between the little kids. They get 
fascinated by the concept of ‘school’ which prevailed in the days of their grandparents. 
Moreover, they also talk about how those days were much more fun. ‘The Fun They Had’ 
does show us the reality of technology taking over in the near future.
THEME of the story
• 'The Fun They Had' is a short story that falls in the category of Science fiction and has the 
future year 2157 as its background setting. It takes us into a world where computers would 
play a major role in educating children. Isaac Asimov wrote this story in 1951 for a 
syndicated newspaper page. Later, 'The Fun They Had' was published in 'Fantasy and 
Science Fiction' magazine. 
• The main theme of this story is that of education. More specifically, the narrative deals 
with the future of education which will become increasingly Computerized and estranged 
from social interactions.
MESSAGE 
• ‘The Fun They Had’ throws light on an interesting aspect of the technological world 
we will have in the future. Consequently, it is set in the future where two children 
discuss the way things functioned in the earlier days. 
• The author's message is a kind of warning against the dangers of computerized 
homeschooling. This deprives children of the benefits of the personal interactions 
between the students and the teachers, which help them to develop many social 
skills.