Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:1078] Re: Computer enhanced learning
From: Bill Ellis (tranet@rangeley.org)
Date: Sun 11 Feb 2001 - 18:09:59 MET
Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2001 13:09:59 -0400 Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:1078] Re: Computer enhanced learning From: "Bill Ellis" <tranet@rangeley.org>
> From: "Scott J Neuner" <Neunsj@prodigy.net>
> I am currently working on master thesis and I am looking for some
> guidance. I am researching how web-enhanced teaching will produce
> higher learning results for students. Can anyone direct me towards
> some websites or studies that would assist me.
> Scott Neuner
> State University College of New York at Buffalo
BE:
Scott,
I think you are breaking new ground where many others are flopping around.
The best experience with computers for learning is probably at
'The Open University,' in England. It has been graduating students with
distance learning for a few decades, and now has a special research group
exploring the use of the Internet.
IMHO, the computer demands a deep fundamental re-analysis of WHY we learn,
HOW we learn, and WHAT we learn. Just trying to see how the computer could
be fitted into or enhance the existing system is a waste of time.
First, because the future learning system must be in tune with the future
society that will be radically different. Schools cannot "graduate" students
with the skills and knowledge required to keep a job. As managment scholar
Peter Decker has emphasized the future learning system cannot expect to
teach facts that will last a lifetime of work. The knowledge system is
changing too rapidly for that. A new learning system must teach CONTEST OF
the work experience rather than CONTENT FOR a working life.
(Progressives are adding to that that there is more in life than working.
The futur learning system should be based on "learning communities" rather
than learning for industry.)
Second, brain research has shown that new knowledge is not added linearly to
different neural networks in a single part the brain. Rather, the brain is
a single neural netwok is in which new knowledge must be harmonized with
what alread exists. Each brain, that is each learner, is uniquely different
and cannon all learn the same thing at the same time in the same mode. The
future learning system cannot rely on the old school/teach/euate system.
We learn nonlinearlly
Third, and forrunatley, the Internet, and other learning technologies and
techniques, provide a whole new way to learning. We can learn nonlinearly.
Learners can follow their own individual paths of learning in nanoseconcs to
wht ever they are prerpared and motivated to learn at the time. The full
potentil of these technologies have not yet been explored. IFETS, although
it wanders off occasionally, is probably about as good as you can do as a
source for this element of the coming learning system.
That's IMHO Bill Ells
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