Using Computers as Cognitive Tools

1
Using Computers as Cognitive Tools

• Lecture 6

2
What are cognitive tools?

• Cognitive tools are processes of the mind
• developed to function as intellectual partners
  with the learner in order to engage facilitate
  critical thinking higher-order thinking
  (Jonassen, 2000 p.9)
• They encourage foster the development of
• Critical
• Creative
• Complex thing

3
Benefits of cognitive tools

• Support the learner enabling them to
• engage problem solving processes
• explore the possibilities
• represent what the learner knows
• elaborate by encouraging the learner to think
  harder
• through reflection, to evaluate, test ideas
  outcomes

4
What is a database?

• An organised collection of data
• Organise, manipulate and update information to
  answer queries
• Collection of information (files) organised into
  records fields

5
Searching a database
6
How might databases support learning?

• Students are able to
• identify commonalities
• analyse relationships
• discover trends
• test and refine hypotheses problem solving
• organize and share information
• keep information up to date research skills
• arrange information in more useful ways

7
Resources from databases

• Library catalogues - references
• World Wide Web search engines
• Bibliographic databases ERIC

8
Databases as an inquiry tool

• Critical, creative and complex thinking skills
  are required to construct databases
• Database construction requires
• Analysing information
• Evaluating information
• Organising information
• Database searching or querying encourage the
  development of searching and problem solving
  skills
• (Jonassen, 2000)

9
Uses of databases in the classroom

• Examples
• English recording rating books
• Maths real estate database of houses
• S E Australian animals
• PE Health fitness
• Science planets
• LOTE foreign countries
• Arts artists and their works
• Technology Design Inventors

10
What is Inspiration?

• Concept-mapping tool
• Visual thinking tool
• Uses
• brainstorming
• planning
• organising
• outlining
• presenting diagrams
• recording

11
Inspiration

• Case Studies in Learning Tools

12
Inspiration as an enquiry tool

• Students are able to
• Brainstorm as part of problem solving
• Discover relationships between concepts
• Make decisions judge appropriateness
• Organise ideas
• Clarify what students know and what they need or
  want to investigate

13
Why use concept mapping?

• Creation of semantic networks engages students in
  analysis of own knowledge structure
• Integration of new knowledge with what is known
• Explicit description of concepts their
  interrelationships
• Requires clear understanding of relationships

14
Uses of Inspiration in the classroom

• Examples
• English Book report
• S E Family trees, government structures
• Science Life cycle of frog
• Technology Planning designs
• Arts Types of art forms
• LOTE Brainstorming topic using foreign grammar
• Maths Exploring shapes

15
References
Bitter, G., Pierson, M. (2005). Using a
technology in the classroom (6th ed.). Boston
Allyn Bacon. Grabe, M., Grabe, C. (2004).
Integrating technology for meaningful learning
(4th ed.). Boston Houghton Mifflin Company.
Jonassen, D. (2000). Computers as Mindtools for
Schools engaging critical thinking. Boston
Merrill Prentice Hall. Southwest Educational
Development Laboratory (1999). Using technology
to enhance learning Classroom technology and
constructivism. Retrieved March 30, 2005, from
http//www.sedl.org/pubs/tec26/classtech.html Ind
iana University (1998). Learning with technology.
Retrieved March 31, 2005, from http//www.bus.indi
ana.edu/mahmed/techn/mindtool.htm Jonassen, D.
H., Carr, C. S. (nd). Mindtools Affording
Multiple Knowledge Representations for Learning.
Retrieved March 31, 2005, from http//www.ed.psu.e
du/insys/400/ssdb.htmIntroduction