Keynote Talk

Advances in Cognition, Learning and 

Performance in the Digital Age

Abstract

A frequently encountered claim in both the academic and popular literature is that the digital age is making possible significant new opportunities in learning that will result in improved knowledge and performance and contribute to improved understanding of human cognition. New information and communications technologies and research in cognitive science have led to new ways to think about and implement learning environments. This presentation provides a critical look at new approaches to instruction and new methods to support learning and performance. One conclusion is that interest in and emphasis on complex subject matter (e.g., complex and dynamic systems involving things such as crisis management, environmental planning, social policy formulation, etc.) is part of what is new in the world of learning and instruction. Crucial to progress in improving our understanding of complex and dynamic systems is the assessment of learning and skilled performance. A framework for assessing learning and performance in complex systems is presented along with initial findings. Implications for understanding human cognition are discussed. The presentation concludes with a look at other issues that threaten to spoil the opportunities and possibilities made possible by new technologies.

Short Bio

J. Michael Spector is Associate Director, Learning Systems Institute, and Professor, Instructional Systems, at Florida State University. Previously, Dr. Spector was Professor and Chair of Instructional Design, Development & Evaluation at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York (2000-2004). Prior to that, he was Professor of Information Science and Director of the Educational Information Science & Technology Research Program at the University of Bergen, Norway (1996-1999). From 1991 through 1996, he was the Senior Scientist for Instructional Systems Research at the United States Air Force Armstrong Research Laboratory. He is a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy (1967) and earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin (1978). Before joining Armstrong Laboratory, Dr. Spector was an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Jacksonville State University, specializing in Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence. His recent research is in the areas of learning assessment in complex domains, intelligent performance support for instructional design, system dynamics based learning environments, and technology integration. He has published numerous refereed journal articles and book chapters in the area of instructional design research and has edited three volumes on concepts and issues involved in technology enhanced learning and instruction. He is active in professional associations and serves on the editorial boards of several international journals. He was awarded a Fulbright research fellowship (1995/1996) to work at the University of Bergen creating and testing an interactive simulation of project dynamics for large-scale courseware development efforts. He serves on the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction (ibstpi) as Executive Vice President, and is Editor of ETR&D-Development. He is a past President of the Design and Development Division of the Association for Educational and Communications Technology (AECT).

Contact information:

LSI-FSU, C 4622 University Center, Tallahassee, FL  32306-2540  USA

TEL +1 850 645 1777  /  FAX +1 850 644 4952  /  EMAIL mspector@lsi.fsu.edu