Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology

Faculty of Education
University of Pretoria
2009
BEd (Hons) CIE

CIT 720 Computers as Cognitive Tools

WORKBOOK

Section 1: 15 July 2009

Answer the following questions in a MS Word document that you save in your home
directory as Workbook Section 1. Use 1½ line spacing and 12 pt Arial font. Number
your answers correctly.

Preface [p. xiii]

1. Quote the topic sentence from paragraph 1 on p. xiii.

2. What, according to Jonassen, is the only purpose of computers in the
classroom?
3. Jonassen distinguishes between memorisation and “more meaningful forms of
learning’ and mentions four components of meaningful learning. What are these
components?
4. What does Jonassen regard as the “most meaningful task”?
5. Mention 9 different mindtools listed by the author of your prescribed text.

Chapter 1

P. 3

1. What, in your opinion, is the most important sentence on this page?

P. 4

2. Supply the definition of conceptual change on this page.

3. Mention 4 variables that the amount and kinds of cognitive change depend on.
4. Complete: if the learner cannot build a … of what he is studying, he does not …
what he is studying.
5. Jonassen believes that … tools can be used as … to help learners construct ….
of what they are studying.
6. How can the teacher/facilitator facilitate the process of conceptual change in
learners?

P. 5
7. What is the author’s point of view on conceptual change and memorisation?
8. What is cognitive conflict?

Chapter 2

P. 13

9. Where, in your opinion, are the learner’s conceptual models situated?

10. How can a learner externalise the mental model of specific content that he has?
11. In paragraph 1 the author says there is a reciprocal relationship between internal
mental models and the external models that the learner constructs. What does
reciprocal mean?

P. 14

12. It is important to distinguish between building a model and using a model.

What choices does the learner have to make when building a model?

P. 15

13. Domain knowledge. Also referred to as domain-specific knowledge. Domain

knowledge is subject-matter expertise; knowledge about a specific field of
interest; knowledge about a specific content area.
14. What computer-based modeling tool is suggested for modeling domain
knowledge on page 15?

P. 17

15. The author mentions a second manner in which domain knowledge can be
presented or thought of. What is this?
16. What defines or characterises systems?
17. What, apart from domain knowledge, can the learner build a model of?
18. How is a problem space constructed?

P. 18

19. How, according to the author, can human experiences be modelled and what
computer-based tool does he recommend for this purpose?

P. 19

20. Which specific kind of modelling is referred to on this page?

P. 21
21. Mindtools are computer tools that make the learner engage in … . Cognitive
tools … , … . and extend the thinking processes of the learner. When using a
mindtool, the learner has to think harder. Mindtools facilitate … and the …
process.