Margit Pohl Vienna University of Technology Exploratory Learning with Information and Communication Technologies – Benefits and Challenges Margit Pohl Vienna University of Technology Institute for Design and Technology Assessment

Vienna University of Technology

Overview of my Talk Main idea: Educational technology has many advantages Great strength: interactivity, multimedia But: it has to be designed well and used appropriately Two examples: simulation games, LEGO Mindstorms

Jerome Bruner (*1915) Cognitive psychologist Exploratory learning Discovery learning Teaching fundamental ideas Structure The Process of Education (1960) (The importance of structure) On Knowing – Essays for the Left Hand (1962) (The Act of Discovery)

Teaching Fundamental Ideas Teaching Computer Science = Teaching programming? Too narrow? Longterm goals of teaching computer science: basic ideas, structure Specific transfer vs. non-specific transfer Examples: Algorithms Modelling Structured segmentation

About Structure „The continuity of learning that is produced by the second type of transfer, transfer of principles, is dependent upon mastery of the structure of the subject matter, .... That is to say, in order for a person to be able to recognize the applicability or inapplicability of an idea to a new situation and to broaden his learning thereby, he must have clearly in mind the general nature of the phenomenon with which he is dealing. The more fundamental or basic is the idea he has learned, almost by definition, the greater will be its breadth of applicability to new problems.“ Jerome Bruner: The Importance of Structure. In: The Process of Education (1960)

Exploratory Learning Also: Discovery Learning As opposed to: rote learning, reception learning „Discovery, like surprise, favors the well-prepared mind.“ * Episodic empricism potshotters * Cumulative constructivism well connected hypotheses Second strategy is more effective; systematic search for truth

Example 1: Simulation Game (Suli)

Support for Reflection Goal of Suli: raise awareness for sustainability Method used: focus groups: awareness raising - students understand that they can either increase wealth or the well- being of their avatars or islands; some students cooperate to increase their success; Focus groups help students to reflect about their experiences

Lego Mindstorms Lecture for students of teacher education in informatics Advantages: programming leads to real changes in the world graphical interface increased understanding of mechanical and algorithmic issues gender Disadvantages: technology groups too large Source: Monika di Angelo: Robolab: LEGO Mindstorms im AHS-Informatikunterricht, 2011

Overview of the Literature Fagin, Merkle (2003) LEGO Mindstorms had negative effects problems especially with debugging Cliburn (2006) mixed experiences, good for beginners Miller et al (2000) LEGO Mindstorms supports experiental learning and cooperation - Little empirical research about the advantages of LEGO mindstorms in schools