Abstract
This paper describes a new educational software application, eLmaps (efficient Learning maps). The application is part of a cognitive development educational system currently being developed by researchers at the University of Colorado Denver to increase the reading and thinking skills of high school and undergraduate level STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) students. The educational software consists of: 1) a set of educational materials that emphasize the process of learning through logical and coherent structures that mirror basic thinking processes; 2) a learning method with multi-media materials centered on visual learning maps and critical-thinking principles; and 3) the integration of a strong reading and writing component to reinforce the development of thinking skills. The eLmaps application involves teaching high school and undergraduate college students how to use a set of visual learning maps to construct knowledge as they read and learn from complex STEM texts. The paper further suggests that student use of the eLmaps application may prove to be an extremely powerful computer-aided educational intervention because of key cognitive linguistic and cognitive science principles inherent in design.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 49-64 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | International Journal of Technology, Knowledge and Society |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2013 |
Keywords
- Cognitive science
- ELearning
- Educational software
- Epistemology
- Linguistics
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
- Social Sciences (miscellaneous)
- Library and Information Sciences
- Computer Science Applications
- Engineering (miscellaneous)