Conversation Theory - Gordon Pask Cybernetics = where he conceived human-machine interaction as a form of conversation, a dynamic process, in which the participants learn about each other.

Conversation Theory Natural sciences + Social sciences + Humanities Conversation Theory

Conversation Theory Cybernetics Framework Living Organisms + Machines Conversation Theory

He wishes to develop a social cybernetics that would help combat terrorism, oppression and social conflict.

Vision his vision was of a healthy society, in which there is unity without uniformity, love, peace, and justice for all.

Science of communication Cybernetics can be defined as the theoretical study of control processes in electronic, mechanical, & biological systems. It comes from the Greek word meaning steersman.

Cybernetics Conversation Theory as developed by Pask originated from this cybernetics framework and attempts to explain learning in both living organisms and machines. The fundamental idea of the theory was that learning occurs through conversations about a subject matter which serves to make knowledge explicit.

Conversations = 3 levels Natural Language ( general discussion) Object Languages ( for discussing the subject matter) Object Languages ( for discussing the subject matter) Meta-languages (for talking about learning / language) Meta-languages (for talking about learning / language)

Two Types of Learning Strategies Serialists – progress through a structure in a sequential fashion Holists – Look for higher order relations Two types of Learning Strategies Two types of Learning Strategies

Preferred manner Serialists vs Holists concepts For students to learn to learn a subject matter, they must learn the relationships among the concepts. For teachers, the explicit explanation of the subject matter facilitates student Understanding (e.g., use of teachback technique)