Cognitive Tools and Critical Thinking

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Cognitive Tools and Critical Thinking
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Introduction

• Framework
• Methodology
• Findings
• Summary

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Theoretical framework

• Critical thinking refs Dewey, Fisher
• Construction vs.Argument
• Cognitive tools refs Jonassen, LaJoie
• Bespoke vs.General purpose

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Critical thinking Definition

• domain-specific and general knowledge.
• requires cognitive skills
• is inherent in construction
• requires metacognitive skills
• is as much about doing as it is about
  thinking
• is not well understood.

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Cognitive tools

• A cognitive tool is, a device that assists in the
  accomplishment of cognitive tasks (Jonassen
  2003372, Lajoie 1993)
• General purpose spreadsheets, web authoring,
  databases

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Methodology

• Authentic Achievement tests (Build something)
• Hypermedia Modeling Tools
• Case study
• Who MS
• QQ
• Trustworthiness MS

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Results at a Glance
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Main Findings

• SummaryData Table
• (Content) Knowledge
• Functionality
• Assembly Construction OK

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(Content) Knowledge

• Explanation
• Descriptive
• Familiar
• Visualising the output
• Tool Mechanisms
• Templates
• Checklists

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Functionality

• Explanation
• Depth
• Planning Design - Metacognitive
• Conceptually difficult
• Tool Mechanisms
• Hyperlink
• Linked formulae

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Construction

• Explanation
• Culture fixing things- familiarity
• Concrete activity
• Visualising easy
• Tool Mechanisms
• Menus/Navigation
• Auditory/visual signals
• Grouping feature consistency

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Summary

• Knowledge OK
• Constructive - OK
• Cognitive Depth problematic
• Metacognitive problematic
• Implications