1. 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

2. Vienna University of Technology

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. Example 1: Simulation Game (Suli)

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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