Mindtool+-+Jonassen

Computers as Mindtools for Engaging Learners in Critical Thinking Written by : David Jonassen, Chad Carr, and Hsiu-Ping Yueh (1998) Summarized by:  Allison Conrey, Pepper Erlinger, Amy Knaup-Noble, and Carl Lee

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=Introduction = Instead of using technology to deliver information and tell you if you are "correct," why not use technology as a tool to construct your knowledge. The authors are no longer interested in learning from technology, but instead want to learn with technology. Let's find out how!

=Semantic Organization Tools = =Databases = = =
 * Tools students may use to analyze and organize knowledge they know and are learning
 * WHAT IS A DATABASE?
 * Computerized record keeping system originally created to replace paper-based filing system


 * WHAT DOES A DATABASE DO?
 * Organizes information and/or records that allows for easy retrieval
 * Allows the user to search and sort information by content to answer specific questions or observe relationships


 * HOW IS A DATABASE USED TO SHOW UNDERSTANDING OF THE STUDENT'S KNOWLEDGE?
 * Requires users to to develop a data structure
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Locate relevant information
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Search and sort the database to answer questions posed by the teacher

<span style="color: #004dff; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Below is a database created by students studying cells and their functions in a Biology course (Notice how the information is sorted)

= = =<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Semantic Networking =
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">AS A TOOL:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">A visual screen tool to produce a concept map
 * A concept map is a visual aid used to understand a concept. Students start with an idea/concept and make connections to other concepts by drawing relational links.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">AS A PROGRAM:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Computer-based, visualizing tool
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">The image below represents a program used to create a multidimensional relationship of Light.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Every component was entered by an individual, therefore the semantic network below represents the working knowledge of this concept.

=<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Dynamic Modeling Tools =
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Helps learner to describe dynamic relationships between ideas.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Includes spreadsheets, expert systems, system's modeling tools, and microworlds.

<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Spreadsheets

 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Designed to replace paper-based accounting systems.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Spreadsheets are made up of columns of empty "cells" which the user can fill in with meaningful values. For example, one may keep a record of their company's business transactions.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">These cells can be manipulated using formulas.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Spreadsheets' main purpose is to serve accountants and businesses keep track of important figures such as income.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Spreadsheets as mindtools:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can help to improve logical and mathematical thinking in the user.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can help users to see relationships and procedures for using and finding values.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Flexible in finding quantitative relationships.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Support problem-solving skills and higher order reasoning.

<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Expert Systems

 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">A computer program that simulates the way human experts solve problems.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Also known as an "artificial decision maker."
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Problems that require decision making are the best candidates for an expert system.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Examples include: computers used to help geologists decide where to drill for oil and to help bankers evaluate loan applications
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Expert systems are made of three main components:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Knowledge base
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Inference engine
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">User interface
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Expert systems as mindtools:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Causes user to refine content knowledge and supports problem solving skills.

<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Systems Modeling Tools
>
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Allow students to interpret new information in a model
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">This allows students to solve complex problems
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Example: Stella is a powerful and flexible tool for building simulations of dynamic systems and processes (systems with interactive and interdependent components). Stella uses a simple set of building block icons to construct a map of a process
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Using modeling systems can allow students to engage in conceptual activities.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Within the model, values can be written as constants or variables.

<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Microworlds
=<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Information Interpretation Tools = <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Allows you to access and process information =<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Visualization Tools = <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Represent and convey mental images as rough approximations: making a connection from visual input to a visual output.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Exploratory learning environments or discovery spaces, microworlds allow students to:
 * 1) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Navigate
 * 2) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Manipulate or create objects
 * 3) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Test an objects effects
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Microworlds are active learning environments since users can explore functionality and help to create the world in which they are playing/learning.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Math and science are creating many new microworlds to help students learn difficult concepts.
 * An example is the SimCalc project, which allows students to investigate Calculus ideas such as speed and velocity.[[image:Picture 3 12-06-46.png]]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students can plot motion and how it relates to Calculus.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Find relevant resources (search engines on the world-wide-web)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Scans information
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Define the information found
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">MacSpartan's molecule program
 * View
 * Rotate
 * Measure
 * Modify
 * Construct
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Purpose: help students understand chemical compounds in a abstract environment rather than a static environment.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Manipulation
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">See atomic interactions
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">See bonds
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Offers perspectives that allow flexibility that traditional textbooks do not have because the pictures in it are static and cannot be manipulated.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> =<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Knowledge Construction Tools = <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Tools that embodies the process of knowledge from putting things together and building from it. Jonassen, Carr, and Yueh claim that when learners takes on the role of the designer of an object, they would learn more about the object compared to if they only studied it. =<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Hypermedia = =<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Conversation Tools =
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Nodes: an information storage unit
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Page of text
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Graphic
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Sound bite
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Video clip
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Entire document
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Users can manipulate or change these nodes in hypermedia; interconnected through links
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Carver, Lehrer, Connell, & Ericksen (1992): major thinking skills that learners need to use as designers
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Project management
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Research
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Organization
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Representation
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Presentation
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Reflection
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Online Telecommunication
 * synchronous discussions
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Chats
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">MOOs
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">MUDs
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Video conferencing
 * asynchronous discussions
 * electronic mail
 * Listservs
 * bulletin boards
 * computer conferences
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Allows for……
 * Interpersonal exchange
 * Collect information
 * Solve problems
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Collaboratory Notebook
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Scaffolding structure for conversation: only specific responses to messages are accepted
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Provide evidence
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Develop a Plan

=<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Rationales for Using Technology as Mindtools =


 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mindtools are NOT made for making learning easier! **

=<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Learners as Designers = > Those that design materials learn the most, not the learners for whom the materials are intended. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> =<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Knowledge Construction, Not Reproduction =
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Who learns more from the data? The person which determines how to construct the database, or the client (learner) for whom the data is intended?
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Compare this to learning theory: constructivist learning vs. behaviorist theory

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mindtool learners are "active" meaning they participate and interact.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">How you use a Mindtool will change depending on:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our experiences.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Prior knowledge.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">How we have organized those experiences into knowledge structures.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our belief about what we know.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Each of our experiences is unique.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mindtools guide learners by provding the organization and representation of what they know.

=<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Learning With Technology =

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Goal of learning as an intellectual partnership with the computer.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Electronics specialists use their tools to solve problems. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">The tools do not control the specialist.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Computers should be used as tools that help learners to build knowledge. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Computers do not control learning.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Computer as a tutor is effects of technology. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mindtools the effects with computer technology.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Example: Excel is a program, but add a learner and there is a possibility of enhance the capabilities of the <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">computer, and the computer enhances their thinking and learning.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">The result of an intellectual partnership with the computer is that the whole of learning becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

=<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Un)intelligent Tools =

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mindtools are unintelligent - they require the learner to provide the intelligence.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Educational computer tools often:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">try to do the thinking for learners.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">to act like tutors.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">try to guide the learning.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mindtools require learners to participate in planning, decision-making, and self-regulation of learning. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Computer systems can facilitate these skills if used in ways that promote reflection, discussion, and problem solving.

=<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Distributing Cognitive Processing =

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">When computers are partners with learners, some of the unproductive memorizing tasks are deligated to the computer, allowing the learner to think more productively.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Goal: allocate the cognitive responsibility to the learners (what they do best) and allocate processing to the technology (what it does best). <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Unlike computers, people can judge and make decisions. Unlike people, computers memorize and recall with far greater speed and accuracy than humans. =<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Cost and Effort Beneficial =

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mindtools are personal knowledge construction tools that can be applied to any subject matter domain. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mindtools software is:
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Readily available and affordable.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Free applications in the public domain.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Reasonably easy to learn.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">A minimal level of skill requires limited study (couple of hours).

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Because they can be used to construct knowledge in nearly any course, the cost and learning effort are even more reasonable!

=<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Summary =

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Computers can be "Cognitive Amplification Tools" to reflect what students have learned and what they know.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are alternatives to computer technologies that are only used to disseminate information (think: traditional lectures).

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Mindtools used across all subject domains are tools for engaging learners in reflective, critical thinking about the ideas they are studying.

=<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Mindtools Summary Questions = <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/embeddedform?formkey=dFRrU0w0eU95SDkzMkt6X0luUmRhV2c6MQ

=<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">More Information on DAVID JONASSEN, Distinguished Professor of Education = ==

=<span style="color: #28288f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Citations: = <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Jonassen, D.H., Carr, C., & Yueh, H. (1998). Computers as mindtools for engaging learners in critical thinking. TechTrends, 43(2), 24-32.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Roth, L. (2006). Interview with David H. Jonassen. SyndicateMizzou. Retrieved from <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://syndicate.missouri.edu/articles/show/42