2020 Visions Discussion

The interactive Adventure Learning environment described in Encompassing Education (Walczak, 2002) is comparable to Malone’s Motivation Theory. Iona, the 12 year-old student, is challenged to learn about a new environment/eco-system; her curiosity is aroused because it is a new experience; Iona has control because her teachers receive feedback from her educational exercises via her brain scan, and she subsequently chooses another exercise/learning task to perform (DNA model); and the fantasy is that she is learning about the Caudipteryx hatchlings via the Tangitrek. The Adventure Learning environment also employs discovery learning because the learner is self-directed in exploring her virtual environment and is compelled to make her own choices for further research.

I would include the constructivist learning strategies Transfer of Learning and Cooperative/Collaborative Learning to augment the training given in the Adventure Learning experience (Alessi & Trollip 2001). The information learned by Iona should have some application outside of the context of the Tangitrek and it would heighten the learning experience of her and her classmate-peers to discuss their lessons learned, and their perceptions of the learning experience.

References: Alessi, S. & Trollip, S. (2001). Multimedia for learning: methods and development. 3rd Edition. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.Walczak, D.P. (2002). Encompassing education.

In Department of Commerce, Visions 2020: Transforming education and training through advanced technologies. Retrieved September 5, 2008 from, http://www.technology.gov/reports/TechPolicy/2020Visions.pdf