Just-In-Time Learning Technologies

Posted: February 28th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Assignment 3 | No Comments » In order for just-in-time learning to work, it requires accurate delivery of content in various situations and in real-time. The problem with most technologies today is that the content is often not “smart” in the sense that its relevance is dependent on the user rather than the machine. In addition, it is difficult for real-time communication to occur, since there are few natural triggers that our devices utilize in order to present us with timely information. In order for true situated learning to take place, technology must begin to recognize optimal learning places and times so that it can effectively present content. If a user must initiate the delivery of some type of information, the learning experience is limited to what the user already knows or can easily identify a need for. In reality, information that is often most impactful to the learner is not recognizable by the individual and therefore is often left inaccessible. An intelligent system will be able to overcome the individual’s deficiency in judging cognitive load capabilities and awareness of content relevance. A JITIR agent will constantly scan the environment, recognize opportunities, and match those opportunities with ones that the learner is cognitively able to ingest. Over time, I imagine this could greatly increase learner self-efficacy and stimulate new areas of interest. In addition, it could refine knowledge in certain domains and filter unnecessary information, freeing up mental capacities for more meaningful tasks.

Augmented Reality & Situated Learning

Posted: February 21st, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Assignment 2 | No Comments » Augmented Reality (AR) is exciting because of the potential to embed the powerful elements of digital technologies in the physical world. The fluid nature of this technology enables digital information to enhance our experience in the world rather than extend at best and distract at worst. Currently, the technical challenges to realizing AR technologies seem less daunting than the structural and content challenges. If we are to have a “network of things” in a ubiquitous computing environment, where does the content come from and how does it connect to the rest of our digital world. AR is presently stifled by the need to rely on singular, static applications. Just as the internet is a platform that is built upon a codified structure, enabling easy connectivity and adaptability, AR needs a similar construct. Relying on QR codes and “entering” hotspots and specified GPS triggers is not seamless and leaves AR in the realm of technical gadgetry. The true advantage of AR is its potential to understand context and provide relevant content in real time. For instance, a powerful learning application for AR is a technology that understands a learner, including her interests, preferred modalities of learning, areas of study, needs for support, and history. The system then compares this profile with the surrounding context of the learner and presents her with authentic learning opportunities that leverage local assets. The most exciting thing about AR is the ability to provide content to learners at optimal times, leveraging knowledge of users and local environments to create meaningful connections.

Reading Reactions – Brandon Pousley

Posted: February 14th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Assignment 1 | No Comments » Mastery and Mimicry Mastery It is always amazing to witness the inability of individuals to project accurately into the future. Although we have prior experience that enables us to see trends and patterns, we often underestimate future change. We also become accustomed to change quite quickly. We often fantasize about the promise of future technology, but often fail to realize the parts of that fantasy that become reality. Many point to the failed realization of previously lauded artificial intelligences. However, these same individuals fail to recognize the intelligent power of the devices we currently wield. And this power in the tools we wield increase the pace and complexity of the next generation of technologies, feeding into an ever increasing trend of innovation. What Lies Upstream What makes a tool powerful is very dependent upon its fit within a culture. In the age of participatory networks, enabled by internet technologies, the author points out that it is not so much the individual power of a single technology, but rather the potential power that tool can have when accessed by many users. In a strong community, a very simple tool can prove to have significantly more power than the most advanced tool that is only utilized by a select few. I think that this most resembles social networks we have today; where the tool itself is of relatively no value. However, the content and connections that people build upon the technology enable the tool to become truly useful. Augmenting Human Intellect My first initial thought to this reading is the stark difference between the computer as an individual’s tool to compute and a connective tool to collaborate and network with others. Written in 1962, I certainly understand the lack of discussion of networks, however it is interesting that when I read the title of the article, “Augmenting Human Intellect,” my notion was of the collective intellect of a community of users, which is clearly only attributed to the most recently discovered uses of modern technology. I find the H-LAM/T system (despite being one of the clumsier acronyms in existence) to be a truly remarkable guide for developing technology concepts. I especially admire the emphasis on processes and sub-processes that pervade humanness. This hierarchy approach highlights the dependance of certain actions upon others and how design choices must be well informed by the end user and task in order to be most effective. Similar to the other readings on biomimicry, Engelbart is careful to note that what we know as intelligence is very much rooted in natural processes and structures. In his framework, Engelbart seeks to build a superstructure that extends that structure upon which it is built. This allows the author to argue that artificial intelligence is real and occurring at the time of his writing. Reading Recommendations Cognitive Surplus by Clay Shirky The Children’s Machine and Mindstorms by Seymour Papert Confronting Challenges of Participatory Culture by Henry Jenkins Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil Chris Dede’s work on Immersive Environments and Augmented Reality