Models of Learning Hector Magno Goal: Contrast the models of learning implied by Norman and Papert. Give a concrete example from personal experience.

Topics of discussion n Introduction n Accretion vs. assimilation n Restructuring intuition n Novice to expert transition n Who does the teaching? n The role of technology n Kinds of motivation n Conclusion

Introduction n Don Norman’s Things that Make us Smart n Seymour Papert’s Mindstorms, The Children’s Machine n Papert was inspired by Jean Piaget’s The Psychology of the Child n I use my research experience to justify the models

Accretion vs. assimilation n Norman: when no conceptual framework exists, “mnemonic strategies” are needed to learn n Papert: a connection with something already known is essential to learning n I rarely learn by memorization

Restructuring Intuition n Norman does not address a conflict between new data and existing framework (he implies accretion leads to restructuring) n Papert emphasizes that intuition must be fixed before accretion through intermediate cases n My research experience supports Papert

Novice to expert transition n Norman’s model is performance- oriented: tuning through practice and restructuring n Papert focuses on shift from impersonal relationship with skill to a personal one n Both models apply when I learn new programming constructs

Who does the teaching? n Norman argues that “self- reflection” is difficult for a person learning something new, hence an instructor’s “reflection” is needed n Papert believes that learning is best done through exploration (an idea inspired by Piaget) n I prefer research to lecture because I control what I learn

The role of technology n Norman sees technology as motivator (focus on the experiential side) n Papert envisions “microworlds” filled with mixture of experiential and reflective experiences n My research does more than lure me, I interact with it

Kinds of motivation n Norman believes fun and curiosity are the main motivators n Papert believes perceived use of knowledge and confidence motivate too n All of these are important motivators in my research

Conclusion n I find Papert’s model more complete than Norman’s n Their models have many similarities, such as learning through concrete operations and perceptual senses n WE SHOULD DO THIS IN SCHOOL