Friday, August 6, 2010

The Fact of Learning


Learning occurs during information process. I don't think technology could facilitate how one's brain process the acquired information, but only stimulate all senses to receive certain information. Thus, meaningful technology integration should be effective methods of information presentation and demonstration.

Under this assumption, we must distinguish "skill training" and "knowledge acquisition" when we plan and select right technology tools. Most importantly, we must be clear about what we assess when we design/create assessment instruments. Otherwise, we may end up training a person's response speed, rather than assisting him/her with information obtainment. For example, a computer-assisted instructional program allows users to identify the correct anser to a math question and click it with the mouse, and then the immediate feedback is supplied. Performance levels of users are evaluated and more challenging programs can be introduced after correct response to simple problems is demonstrated. It sounds like a standard computer game simulation commonly adopted by educators; however, this type of educational games evaluate nothing but the speed of information processing and the level of responding demonstrated by the player. I don't think it actually facilitates understanding of a math concept, but only improves one's responding skill to this particular game problem.

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