Computers as Mindtools

1
Computers as Mindtools
2
Computer Assisted Instruction

• Learning from Computers by directing students
  to a specified goal/skill.
• Drill and Practice
• Tutorials
• Intelligent tutorials

3
Drill and Practice

• Electronic Ditto Sheets
• Reinforcement of the stimulus-response
  (behaviorism).
• Belief that to think deeply you have to know what
  is at the bottom first.
• No transferance of knowledge.

4
Tutorials

• Provide remedial instruction
• Incorrect responses resulted in more instruction
• Response-feedback cycles
• Students dont construct their own learning

5
Intelligent Tutoring Systems

• Teach problem solving and procedural knowledge.
• Comparison of learner with expert
• More sensitive than tutorials
• Feedback is not as good as with humans
• Not generalizable

6
Learning about Computers Computer
Literacy

• Hardware components
• Programming
• Knowing parts doesnt make one literate.
• 3 reasons not to do this anymore
• proliferation of computers
• Dont have to know how it works to use
• Only helpful if they help you perform a task

7
Students learn with computers when they

• Support knowledge construction
• Support exploration
• Support learning by doing
• Support learning by conversing
• Learning by reflecting

8
Constructivist Theory

• Philosophy of learning founded on the premise
  that, by reflecting on our experiences, we
  construct our own understanding of the world. We
  generate our own rules and mental models which we
  use to make sense of our experiences. Learning,
  therefore, is simply the process of adjusting our
  mental models to accommodate new experiences.

9
Definition of Mindtools

• Cognitive amplification and reorganization tools
• Engage and facilitate cognitive processing.
• Critical thinking devices
• Intellectual partners
• Mindtool is a concept.

10
Theoretical Reasons for Using

• Meaningful Learning Occurs When
• Active
• Constructive
• Intentional
• Authentic
• Cooperative
• Knowledge Construction
• Reflective thinking
• Cognitive Partnership tools
• Scaffold Thinking

11
Practical Reasons

• Lack of Software
• Cost of Computing
• Efficiency

12
Evaluating

• Are they designed for Productivity or do they
  amplify the process?
• Knowledge building v information-using tools.

13
Criteria for Evaluating Computer Technology for
Education

• Computer-based
• Available applications
• Affordable
• Knowledge Construction
• Generalizable
• Critical Thinking
• Transferable
• Easily learnable