cilt@media lab toward a knowledge network for learning technologies r&d roy pea

CILT@Media LabCILT@Media Lab

Toward a Knowledge Network for Learning

Technologies R&D

Roy PeaRoy Pea


Problems Revolutionary potentials of LT but...Revolutionary potentials of LT but... Two decades of strong academic R&D on learning Two decades of strong academic R&D on learning

technologies has had minimal influences on school technologies has had minimal influences on school practices or industry developmentspractices or industry developments

Fragmented field of LT researchers—uncoordinated Fragmented field of LT researchers—uncoordinated critical mass, differential strengths rarely combinedcritical mass, differential strengths rarely combined

Fragmentation of LT practitioner craft wisdom—Fragmentation of LT practitioner craft wisdom—uncoordinated insights rarely shareduncoordinated insights rarely shared

In sum: weak coupling of research and practiceIn sum: weak coupling of research and practice


The Center for Innovative Learning Technologies (CILT)

A distributed center for tackling these problems

Seed funding from National Science Foundation Seed funding from National Science Foundation ($1.5 mil@year)($1.5 mil@year)

An open structure for harvesting knowledge and An open structure for harvesting knowledge and leveraging efforts of diverse LT R&D leveraging efforts of diverse LT R&D

Working on “theme teams” in high-priority areasWorking on “theme teams” in high-priority areas

Weaving the web—Creating “virtual critical mass” for Weaving the web—Creating “virtual critical mass” for a distributed learning organizationa distributed learning organization


The hub of founding The hub of founding membersmembers

Concord Concord ConsortiumConsortium


Perspective on technologies for learning

New representational systems provide cognitive power and New representational systems provide cognitive power and have social consequences (e.g., writing, algebra, graphing, have social consequences (e.g., writing, algebra, graphing, computer models)computer models)

““Distributed intelligence” in human-technology systems. Distributed intelligence” in human-technology systems. Design of tools embodying human activity support.Design of tools embodying human activity support.• ““Cognitive” technologies: to see, design, build, what’s more Cognitive” technologies: to see, design, build, what’s more

difficult, error-prone, impossible without them.difficult, error-prone, impossible without them.• ““Social” technologies: Enable collective activity such as Social” technologies: Enable collective activity such as

collaborations, cooperations, more difficult without them.collaborations, cooperations, more difficult without them.

Enabling new problems to be posed, not only solvedEnabling new problems to be posed, not only solved Leads to re-structuring of Leads to re-structuring of what it means to know and what it means to know and

understand understand in a disciplinein a discipline


CILT Mission

To catalyze the development and To catalyze the development and implementation of important, technology-implementation of important, technology-enabled solutions to critical problems in K-14 enabled solutions to critical problems in K-14 science, mathematics, engineering, and science, mathematics, engineering, and technology learningtechnology learning


CILT Overview National contextNational context NSF’s KDI initiative and the LIS NSF’s KDI initiative and the LIS

program that funds CILTprogram that funds CILT How our work is organizedHow our work is organized How we are doing distributed R&D How we are doing distributed R&D

theme teamstheme teams


CILT in National Context

President Clinton’s “4 pillars”—computers, President Clinton’s “4 pillars”—computers, connectivity, teacher prep, hi-quality learning tools connectivity, teacher prep, hi-quality learning tools and resources (1996)and resources (1996)

1997 PCAST Report to the President1997 PCAST Report to the President FCC “E-Rate” discounts worth $10 billion over next 4 FCC “E-Rate” discounts worth $10 billion over next 4

years; DOE’s Technology Literacy Challenge Fund years; DOE’s Technology Literacy Challenge Fund ($200 Mil in 97-98)($200 Mil in 97-98)

National Science Foundation’s learning and National Science Foundation’s learning and technology initiativestechnology initiatives


President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST)

Panel on Educational Technology: Panel on Educational Technology: Report to Report to the President on the Use of Technology to the President on the Use of Technology to Strengthen K-12 Education in the United Strengthen K-12 Education in the United StatesStates (March 1997) (March 1997)

Near-release of implementation plan (April Near-release of implementation plan (April 1998)1998)


NSF’s KDI announced in February 98(Knowledge & Distributed Intelligence) ““NSF-wide effort that draws on past advances made NSF-wide effort that draws on past advances made

in networking, supercomputing, and learning and in networking, supercomputing, and learning and intelligent systems” (FY98)intelligent systems” (FY98)

““The coming age is perhaps best described as an era The coming age is perhaps best described as an era of ‘knowledge and distributed intelligence’ -- an era in of ‘knowledge and distributed intelligence’ -- an era in which knowledge is available to anyone, located which knowledge is available to anyone, located anywhere, at any time, and an era in which power, anywhere, at any time, and an era in which power, information, and control move away from centralized information, and control move away from centralized systems to the individual.” (NSF Director, Neal Lane)systems to the individual.” (NSF Director, Neal Lane)

Includes the LIS Program (Learning and Intelligent Includes the LIS Program (Learning and Intelligent Systems) which funds CILTSystems) which funds CILT


NSF’s LIS Program seeks... ““Centers for Collaborative Research on Centers for Collaborative Research on

Learning Technologies (CRLT) to.....Learning Technologies (CRLT) to..... undertake larger collaborative projectsundertake larger collaborative projects act as a technology transfer mechanism act as a technology transfer mechanism train new researcherstrain new researchers serve as an evaluation center for learning serve as an evaluation center for learning

technology research”technology research”


LIS Research...

““is intended to lead to advances in is intended to lead to advances in science and engineering that can foster science and engineering that can foster rapid and radical rapid and radical (as opposed to (as opposed to incremental) incremental) growthgrowth in the ability to in the ability to understand and support learning”understand and support learning”


CILT seeks to provide a socio-technical infrastructure for:

Identification of high-potential areas for collaborative Identification of high-potential areas for collaborative development of learning technology R&Ddevelopment of learning technology R&D

Greater aggregation of ideas across disciplines, Greater aggregation of ideas across disciplines, projects, sectors, and fundersprojects, sectors, and funders

Rapid, flexible funding of promising learning Rapid, flexible funding of promising learning technology ideastechnology ideas

On-line interactions that create content while On-line interactions that create content while promoting communication forumspromoting communication forums

Training of multidisciplinary professionals for this fieldTraining of multidisciplinary professionals for this field


CILT as a Knowledge CILT as a Knowledge NetworkNetwork

The vision is a coordinated web of The vision is a coordinated web of

organizations, individuals, industries, organizations, individuals, industries,

schools, foundations, government agencies schools, foundations, government agencies

and labs devoted to the production, sharing and labs devoted to the production, sharing

and use of new knowledge about how and use of new knowledge about how

learning technologies can dramatically learning technologies can dramatically

improve the processes and outcomes of improve the processes and outcomes of

learning and teaching.learning and teaching.


Change theory-practice model for LT R&D


CILT as a Knowledge Network

An infrastructure for sharing what’s being learned among An infrastructure for sharing what’s being learned among researchers and fostering formation and conduct of researchers and fostering formation and conduct of collaborative partnership projectscollaborative partnership projects

A communication forum to advance work, debate directions, A communication forum to advance work, debate directions, invite practitioners to share insights and experiences about invite practitioners to share insights and experiences about what is working or notwhat is working or not

A vehicle for bringing researchers, practitioners, and A vehicle for bringing researchers, practitioners, and industry into the same virtual spaceindustry into the same virtual space

Experimentation in user-profiling and defining communities Experimentation in user-profiling and defining communities of interestof interest

Establishing multi-organizational collaboratories and Establishing multi-organizational collaboratories and testbeds for LT R&Dtestbeds for LT R&D


““Knowledge applied to tasks that Knowledge applied to tasks that are new and different is are new and different is INNOVATION” INNOVATION” (Drucker, 1992)(Drucker, 1992)

CILT will provide an “open” support system to foster CILT will provide an “open” support system to foster innovation across the networkable multi-disciplinary innovation across the networkable multi-disciplinary field of learning technologies R&Dfield of learning technologies R&D

Process of innovation: Inclusive, coordinated and Process of innovation: Inclusive, coordinated and focused on breakthrough opportunities focused on breakthrough opportunities

We seek multiple types of innovation We seek multiple types of innovation • Fusion of technological opportunity, developments in the Fusion of technological opportunity, developments in the

sciences of learningsciences of learning• Creativity from community-based synergiesCreativity from community-based synergies• Refinement of LT projects by “critical friends”Refinement of LT projects by “critical friends”


Different flavors of LT R&D Technology-driven proof of concept User-centered proof of concept, small user studies Design experiments: small-scale reform work in a few

classrooms, real teachers, iterative methods Testbeds of diverse schools, teachers and learners

for medium-scale iterative development of LT innovations

Large-scale program evaluation studies of LT implementations (NIH model, PCAST ‘push’)


How CILT is organized Four R&D Theme Teams (~ seed funding total:

$1.1 mil per yr) Core Center functions (~$300K per yr)

• School Partner and Affiliates Program• Industry Alliance Program• Communications Program for Knowledge Networking• Postdoctoral Program• Evaluation Program• Advisory Board


Initial CILT Theme Teams


Theme Team R&D funding Provides “seed” resources (~$250K per team) Provides “seed” resources (~$250K per team)

for pilot prototype projects, inc. CILT postdocfor pilot prototype projects, inc. CILT postdoc Prototype projects will leverage insights from Prototype projects will leverage insights from

ongoing LT research from a large proportion of ongoing LT research from a large proportion of funded work in the field (min. 50-60 best funded work in the field (min. 50-60 best researchers per theme plus industry, school researchers per theme plus industry, school innovators)innovators)

CILT projects may lead to new grants, and/or be CILT projects may lead to new grants, and/or be co-funded by industry, or re-direct ongoing workco-funded by industry, or re-direct ongoing work


How Theme Teams will operate Identify and recruit team membersIdentify and recruit team members Conduct partnership “breeding” workshopsConduct partnership “breeding” workshops Foster community discussions on prioritiesFoster community discussions on priorities Select prototype projects and technologies with Select prototype projects and technologies with

breakthrough opportunitybreakthrough opportunity Foster widespread research and communication Foster widespread research and communication Reflect on progress, re-consider directionsReflect on progress, re-consider directions Provide context for training new professionalsProvide context for training new professionals


Experiences with CILT workshops

Jan98: Visualization and Modeling (80+, nearly 40 institutions, 45 projects).

Feb98: Technology Support for Assessment (70+, over 30 institutions, 25 projects)

Mar98: Ubiquitous Low-Cost Computing (80-100)

June98: Enabling Tools for Virtual Learning Communities (70-100)


Visualization and Modeling

We defined visualization and modeling tools We defined visualization and modeling tools broadly to include scientific visualizations, broadly to include scientific visualizations, simulations, virtual reality, model building simulations, virtual reality, model building environments, and programmable drawing environments, and programmable drawing environments. environments.

Focus on educational uses of various kinds of Focus on educational uses of various kinds of vis-mod tools to help learners understand vis-mod tools to help learners understand complex, interacting systems. complex, interacting systems.


Emerging Vis-Mod partnerships

Think Globally, Learn Locally—Integrate global vis’n Think Globally, Learn Locally—Integrate global vis’n tools/data/activities with GIS for local field-based inquiries in tools/data/activities with GIS for local field-based inquiries in ecology and biologyecology and biology

Vis-Mod LED design framework: Synthesize lessons Vis-Mod LED design framework: Synthesize lessons learned re: learner-centered tools, inquiry-model activity learned re: learner-centered tools, inquiry-model activity structures, cognitive models-content needs, embedded structures, cognitive models-content needs, embedded assessmentassessment

Integration of diverse vis-mod environments to make a Integration of diverse vis-mod environments to make a comprehensive testbed for middle school sciencecomprehensive testbed for middle school science

Make scientists’ tools for simulation modeling in astronomy, Make scientists’ tools for simulation modeling in astronomy, engineering available at high school level (focus on VRML engineering available at high school level (focus on VRML 2.0), e.g., virtual galaxy2.0), e.g., virtual galaxy


Emerging Vis-Mod partnerships

Visualization and modeling exhibits and activities for Visualization and modeling exhibits and activities for a multi-organization Virtual Science Museuma multi-organization Virtual Science Museum

Assessment Benchmarks and Models: synthesize Assessment Benchmarks and Models: synthesize covariation that many vis-mod projects share --> covariation that many vis-mod projects share --> promising research and assessment practicespromising research and assessment practices

Video-case library tools and paradigms for on-line Video-case library tools and paradigms for on-line teacher professional development networks on teacher professional development networks on effective use of vis-modeffective use of vis-mod

Creating user communities and a marketplace for Creating user communities and a marketplace for Cocoa simulationsCocoa simulations


Technology Support for Assessment

Problems: teaching to inadequate testsProblems: teaching to inadequate tests Opportunities: embedded assessments that Opportunities: embedded assessments that

teach, performance assessmentsteach, performance assessments Emerging emphases: Emerging emphases:

• Assessment of technology-supported Assessment of technology-supported education (e.g. progress portfolios)education (e.g. progress portfolios)

• Use of network technologies to support Use of network technologies to support assessment activitiesassessment activities


Emerging Assmt-Tech Partnerships Synthesis of best practices in embedding assessment Synthesis of best practices in embedding assessment

in instructionin instruction Web-based, comprehensive design framework for Web-based, comprehensive design framework for

assessments with many usable examples, community assessments with many usable examples, community annotation capabilitiesannotation capabilities

Challenges and models for group learning Challenges and models for group learning assessments in technology-rich environmentsassessments in technology-rich environments

Defining strategies and tactics for improving public Defining strategies and tactics for improving public perception of viability and superiority of alternative perception of viability and superiority of alternative assessmentsassessments

Pooling diverse alternative assessments to create a Pooling diverse alternative assessments to create a dream projectdream project


Ubiquitous Low-Cost Computing Exploring uses for learning of widespread access for Exploring uses for learning of widespread access for

students to inexpensive mobile computing, data probes, students to inexpensive mobile computing, data probes, network computers, wireless networking, and network computers, wireless networking, and interoperable component software. interoperable component software.

Concept papers: Concept papers: • cheap smart probes for project-based learningcheap smart probes for project-based learning• beyond graphical calculatorsbeyond graphical calculators• tradeoffs in low-cost educational networked computing tradeoffs in low-cost educational networked computing

designsdesigns• emerging technologies for low-cost global educational emerging technologies for low-cost global educational

telecommunicationstelecommunications


Enabling Tools for Virtual Learning Communities Software and methods to support growth of Software and methods to support growth of

distributed learning communities on the net distributed learning communities on the net Examples: shared whiteboards, videoconferencing, Examples: shared whiteboards, videoconferencing,

groupware notebooks and portfolios, social groupware notebooks and portfolios, social information filtering systems that define “communities information filtering systems that define “communities of interest” and make recommendationsof interest” and make recommendations

Emerging emphases: Emerging emphases: • Advancing the CILT knowledge network (bootstrap)Advancing the CILT knowledge network (bootstrap)• Focus on distributed teacher learning scenariosFocus on distributed teacher learning scenarios• Requirements for learning around shared conversational Requirements for learning around shared conversational

props including simulations, math representations, videoprops including simulations, math representations, video


CILT activities are unearthing a huge need to form a LT knowledge network

... to create web-based communities of interest that can grow ... to create web-based communities of interest that can grow around strategic communication objectives, with: around strategic communication objectives, with:

Web-based access to socially-filtered contentWeb-based access to socially-filtered content Personalized content viewsPersonalized content views User context-making functions: can add, comment, rateUser context-making functions: can add, comment, rate Document and topic-based threaded discussionsDocument and topic-based threaded discussions Notification services for participants based on profilesNotification services for participants based on profiles Powerful search for relevant resourcesPowerful search for relevant resources User-controllable security modelUser-controllable security model Working with dka to explore how their knowledge-management Working with dka to explore how their knowledge-management

tools may meet these needstools may meet these needs


LT knowledge network areas

CILT Theme Teams CILT Theme Teams PeoplePeople Research LabsResearch Labs Research Projects Research Projects Project Funding Sources Project Funding Sources Research Scholarship (reports, books, journals, conferences)Research Scholarship (reports, books, journals, conferences) Software and Other ResourcesSoftware and Other Resources Information Exchanges and ServicesInformation Exchanges and Services LT by Subject Matter DomainsLT by Subject Matter Domains LT in the NewsLT in the News LT CompaniesLT Companies LT Glossary of Technical Terms and Acronyms, MetadataLT Glossary of Technical Terms and Acronyms, Metadata


Building a vibrant Industry Alliance Program will be critical to success Aim: over 100 industry partners from diverse sectors Collaborate in design and development of prototypes

using industry tools and talent Contribute to technology transfer for CILT prototypes Enable schools to participate more fully in innovative

research (help with infrastructure, teacher support) Amplify influence of CILT work—broad-scale

dissemination and marketing help Help academic community better understand industry

needs in collaborative research


What does success look like? Growing participation in the knowledge network Growing participation in the knowledge network

and demand for its activitiesand demand for its activities Wide distribution of knowledge about creating Wide distribution of knowledge about creating

and using LTs to CILT stakeholder communitiesand using LTs to CILT stakeholder communities Increased interaction and dialogue between Increased interaction and dialogue between

these target communities and CILTthese target communities and CILT Broad-scale implementation of these findings Broad-scale implementation of these findings

and products in K-14 classrooms and other and products in K-14 classrooms and other learning settingslearning settings


Please join us! The art of growing on-line community The art of growing on-line community

requires distributed leadershiprequires distributed leadership Your involvement in conceptualizing Your involvement in conceptualizing

and building aspects of the learning and building aspects of the learning technologies knowledge network would technologies knowledge network would be invaluablebe invaluable

We welcome summer internsWe welcome summer interns


THANKS!THANKS!

cilt@media lab toward a knowledge network for learning technologies r&d roy pea

Documents

media lab cilt mission

technology learning

funds cilt

media lab perspective

media lab nsfs kdi

practice slide

discipline slide

social technologies