Understanding by experiencing patterns
Author
Editor
- Peter Gärdenfors
- Annika Wallin
Summary, in English
This chapter focuses on the cognitive and emotional mechanisms of understanding. We
propose that understanding consists in seeing or, more generally, experiencing a pattern.
Patterns can be experienced by all sensory modalities and in abstract thinking, but here the
focus is primarily on the visual modality.
We discuss how understanding by experiencing patterns can be achieved in learning
processes. The goal of education should be that students understand the material they study.
We propose that this is achieved by helping them to discover patterns that they cannot find on
their own. We also highlight the role of emotions in understanding, especially the subjective
experience of an aha-feeling, which occurs when a pattern suddenly falls into place. Finally,
we present some educational techniques such as visualizations, simulations, and intelligent
tutoring systems that can be used for pointing out salient features in a pattern.
propose that understanding consists in seeing or, more generally, experiencing a pattern.
Patterns can be experienced by all sensory modalities and in abstract thinking, but here the
focus is primarily on the visual modality.
We discuss how understanding by experiencing patterns can be achieved in learning
processes. The goal of education should be that students understand the material they study.
We propose that this is achieved by helping them to discover patterns that they cannot find on
their own. We also highlight the role of emotions in understanding, especially the subjective
experience of an aha-feeling, which occurs when a pattern suddenly falls into place. Finally,
we present some educational techniques such as visualizations, simulations, and intelligent
tutoring systems that can be used for pointing out salient features in a pattern.
Department/s
Publishing year
2008
Language
English
Publication/Series
A Smorgasbord of Cognitive Science
Document type
Book chapter
Publisher
Bokförlaget Nya Doxa
Topic
- General Language Studies and Linguistics
- Learning
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISBN: 978-91-578-0532-4