Computers as Mindtools
Jonassen has presented a number of arguments for using technology as a means for the construction of knowledge rather than didactic instruction. His suggests that traditionally technology has been used to store information and that the only interaction that the student had was to learn from the information being presented and possibly to move on to the next part. The use of technology as the basis of knowledge construction shuld be a more effective use of technology in education particularly in the area of developing critical thinking.
The specific examples that Jonassen uses are computer “Mindtools” which are a variety of tools that allow students to organise different information and discourses into linear, parallel, randoma access or visual representations. Mind/concept mapping, databases, microworlds and hyper media are a number of the concepts that he covers.
Some of these areas, particularly the knowledge construction tools have relevance to the English and History KLA. Hypermedia is an extremely important way for students to construct and organise their knowledge. A good example of how this could be effectively used in the History classroom would be a class project to create a wiki on the units of study for the year. All students would need to contribiute and students would have access to assess, correct and modify the work. They would be able to challenge sources, use multimedia, develop links to outside portals and create a random access platform for which to share there collective knowledge. It would also be a tangible resource that could be shared with the outside world.
