Mindtools-+Jonassen

=**Mindtools by Jonassen**= by: Clay Heller, Aaren Weisz, Alexis Osgood, and Carmynn Crites toc

Introduction
Typically, instructional technology has been used to store information and import that to learners. The technology would be used to teach and to provide feedback on correctness of the learned information or responses. This article argues that instructional design should exist as Mindtools rather than as instructors and that learners should construct knowledge along with these tools, having the tools then organize that constructed knowledge.

Mindtools were created to make learners think critically about what they are learning as they learn.

Using Computers as Mindtools
There are computer applications that have been designed to help students think critically and some can be redesigned to be Mindtools. A few key classes of Mindtools are semantic organization tools, dynamic modeling tools, information interpretation tools, knowledge construction tools, and conversation and collaboration tools.

Semantic Organization Tool
Databases and Semantic Networking are two of the most well known Semantic Organization tools which are Mindtools that are used to take acquired knowledge and group it into organized and analytical terms for the learners.

Database Modeling
Databases were originally created to replace filing and to organize information online.



For Mindtools, these databases are useful for organizing information by subject matter. In order for learners to construct databases using Mindtools, a lot of critical thinking is involved. Learners must know connections between the knowledge that they are learning and construct organized models between the information

Semantic Networking
Semantic networking is programming that allows learners to make connections between the things that they are learning. When they make meaningful connections they are able to remember the information better and also understand why each individual part fits in with the whole. Semantic networking is programming that takes drawing maps and puts it into the computer. It helps learners to visualize the connections between the concepts.

Dynamic Modeling Tools
Encompasses computer systems that allow learners to explore and explain active relationships between ideas.

Spreadsheets
Lovely computerized record-keeping system that allows users to process copious volumes of data (usually mathematics based) and report results. Results can often be converted into visual representations, such as graphs. Data can manipulated with various formulas and functions, but only if the learner fully comprehends their data as they will have to apply appropriate commands to the data. Spectacular for "What if" scenarios, chemistry, physics, mathematics, population analyses

Expert systems
Supporting computer systems descending from artificial intelligence designed to mimic how human experts solve various problems. Essentially utilized as an artificial decision maker based upon human knowledge Comprised of that human knowledge base, inference engine & user interface. Thousands of applications: oil drilling, banking, sales, legal processes, medical processes, environmental management, education, etc.

Systems Modeling Tools
System tools designed to facilitate learners' abilities to solve complex, poorly composed, and simple problems. These systems help learners develop mental representations of the information they are learning - essentially a visual map of the problem Three different software options: Stella (Mac & PC), Model It (Mac only), or PowerSim (PC only)

Microworlds
Virtual worlds; learning environments/discovery spaces where learners have control over the situation and can manipulate &/or create elements, then test their effects on other elements in that environment/space. Can resemble real world or fantasy world; usually is based on real life rules/properties. Used in educational research (lots of projects for math & science), and entertainment such as video-based adventure games.

Information Interpretation Tools
There is so much information out there that we have an increasing need for tools to help us gather and interpret everything out there! There are new types of search engines to help users find information in the vast database of the World Wide Web, but other tools are emerging as well.

Visualization Tools
Visualization tools assist in portraying visual ideas and comprehending 3D models. While we use our sight more than any other sense to absorb information, it is very hard to communicate ideas about physical images.

These visualization tools are not one size fits all; they are specific for a particular purpose. For example, learning about molecular compounds is a struggle for many students because molecular bonds are impossible to see. Computer visualization tools have been developed to allow students to see and manipulate molecular bonds in large scale, providing a new tool for learning this formerly abstract concept.



Knowledge Construction Tools
Papert coined the term "constructionism" to "describe the process of knowledge construction resulting from constructing things" (Jonassen). Learners will learn a lot about objects through experience building them than they ever would by simple studying. For example, a child who plays with legos every day will have a deeper understanding of legos than a child who simply reads books about how legos work.



Hypermedia
Hypermedia is a system of information nodes, which can be pictures, documents, videos, etc, that are interconnected via hyperlinks. This is a living data base where nodes can be edited or added as more knowledge is developed. While these can be used as study tools or instructional materials, hypermedia is best served when students are the authors. As with constructionism, students will learn more by creating the hypermedia themselves than studying from an external tool.

Conversation Tools
As modern theories of learning emphasize social interactions as well as constructivism, technology tools of communication have been developed to provide for electronic spaces where social negotiation of meaning can take place. Online methods of communication include live chat, instant message, MOOs, electronic mail, blogs, and many more.

While online communication seems simple, many students are not prepared to be meaningful participants in conversations because they are not accustomed to contributing their opinions and understanding of topics. Thus, educators must scaffold their attempts at communication to build up their discourse skills. One student-supporting resource is Collabratory Notebook (O'Neill & Gomez, 1994), which is designed for within- and cross-school science projects. Students can pose a question which can be answered by students around the world. Scaffolding comes into play as answers must fall into specific categories such as "provide evidence" or "develop a plan," guiding students in how to appropriately communicate with the question writer. These conversation tools allow students to participate in co-constructed learning.



Rationale for Using technology as Mindtools
This section is all about why mindtools work and why they better engage readers and learners than just going to the wikipedia page! We already know what mindtools are... or do we?

Learners as Designers
Jonassen and his fellow writers are very focused on the idea of mindtools disturbing the traditional relationship between learning and **learning**. Being able to articulate the things we know in such a way that it creates our own retention of materials is the core of a mindtool. In their words, "learners are teaching the computer." This is a good thing!

Knowledge Construction, Not Reproduction
Mindtools are a constructivist tool and as such they endeavor to force students to create their responses, rather than merely selecting them. Learners who utilize mindtools are better able to express their knowledge in a fashion consistent with their knowledge.

Learning with Technology
The strength of the interplay between technology and contemporary learners is that technology enables them to learn in new ways. Rather than learning from computers, students should learn with them.

(Un)Intelligent Tools
Mindtools are unintelligent tools.

This may seem counter-intuitive, but the idea behind it is simple. Rather than being intelligent and giving a student the answers (ie functioning like a personal teacher) the tools function as a personal learner instead. If designers can produce a tool that works more like a mind extension than an expert, they have succeeded.

Distributing Cognitive Processing
Working with a computer allows the technology to do most of the heavy lifting in carrying out tasks. Memorization tasks are much much easier for a computer than a human, and offloading these unproductive segments of work to the computer allows students to spend their time engaging in higher level thoughts. Jonassen suggests that we should use the computer for the lower order tasks like calculating and storing that it excels at, and allow the learner to produce the high order tasks like judging and organizing.

Cost and Effort Beneficial
Mindtools software is available and inexpensive to use. According to the author, most of the programs we've gone over are bundled with computers or freely available. By using these mindtools, we can improve student learning outcomes!

=Citations:= Carmynn http://www.kazimedia.net/desktop-development/databases/ http://www.mind-mapping.co.uk/mind-maps-examples/business.htm

Alexis www.openoffice.org http://www.energyandcapital.com/articles/oil-rigs-drilling-ever-deeper/1098 http://www.anandavala.info/TASTMOTNOR/Process%20Systemics.html http://www.northerngulfinstitute.org/projectpics/14211-BP-GRI-15_image1.jpg http://nbnl.globalwhelming.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/prepared-1.jpg

Aaren http://www.letus.org/Thumbnails/echemglucose2.gif http://businessorganizationmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/lego.jpg http://dschool.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/iStock_000014314309_Small-730x468.jpg

Clay- https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0120/7052/files/johnson-graphic-thumb-400x337-1154_large.jpg?4 http://ualr.edu/extendedprograms/files/2009/04/learning_sys.jpg http://www.inforany.com/abacus/AbacusOldA1.jpg http://www.jantoo.com/cartoons/lowres/209/20907584_low.jpg http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LhGnxGth-l0/USA6zeL-6LI/AAAAAAAAAWA/3G8mm_qOJSo/s1600/Mind+Tools+Logo.gif