Image by Shazia Khokhar
The Magic and Potential of Technology by Shazia Khokhar and Jessica Gemella
Do media influence learning? Clark and Kozma debated this question in 1994 publications. To start, in “Media will never influence learning”, Clark claimed that media do not influence learning under any condition (1994). Clark (1994) contended that media has no learning benefit, and that media only provides efficiency and economic benefits. However, in “Will media influence learning: Reframing the debate”, Kozma (1994) argued that social context will help instructional designers take advantage of media capabilities, instructional methods, and cognitive processes to benefit learning. This debate about media and learning provides relevant perspectives to critique current mass media, press releases and software promotion. For example, Wade (n.d.) of Georgetown University stated that social media enhances learning in “How Social Media is Reshaping Today’s Education System”.
Wade (n.d.) in “How Social Media is Reshaping Today’s Education System” proposed that social media is changing education because media enriches learning for several reasons. First, social media is empowering for students and teachers to share and interact (Wade, n.d.). Second, social media is practical and accessible because students are already immersed in its use, it is part of our lives (Wade, n.d.). Third, social media is fast-paced to match the speed of student lives (Wade, n.d.). Lastly, social media promotes teacher-student relationships (Wade, n.d.). In our opinion, Clark’s response to Wade’s assertions would be to argue that the learning benefits of social media could be achieved by other means. For instance, students and teachers could be empowered to share and interact with print media. Writing is also practical and accessible. Students and teachers could write each other letters to improve relationships. As Clark (1994) contended, media benefits efficiency. Thus, social media is faster than letter writing but does not necessarily improve learning. In contrast, we believe that Kozma’s opinion would differ because of the social context media can provide.
Kozma (1994) considered the conditions under which media will influence learning. Kozma (1994) also suggested that instructional design would be influenced by the goals, beliefs, and knowledge of the users. Thus, it is our view that Kozma would support the suggestion that social media has the potential to enhance learning because the media provides the means for users to express themselves and socially construct knowledge. However, Kozma would draw attention to the importance of instructional methods and the complexity of the learning environment in evaluating Wade’s assertion that media enhances learning. Similar to Wade’s representation of Georgetown University’s media-enhanced learning, software companies are also capitalizing on the notion that technology advances teaching and learning.
CanopyLAB is a Danish EdTech software company that has developed an adaptive, social, and intelligent learning experience platform (LXP) based on artificial intelligence (AI) optimized social network structure (CanopyLab, 2022). According to CanopyLab, their remote and blended learning platform functions and feels like a social network site where users can easily communicate, share information, and build a community.
In their blog post, “5 Ways in which AI is already Shaping the Future of Learning” CanopyLABS (2022) claims, “…we are already two steps ahead, bringing you the future of education today by combining the best aspects of F2F learning with the magic and potential of technology” (para. 12). CanopyLab explains that their platform is centred on social media because they wanted students to interact and learn from one another. In addition, their technology harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to develop the first AI Course Authoring Tool, which enables course developers to create individualized learning experiences (CanopyLab, 2022).
Clark would argue that combining the best aspects of face-to-face (F2F) learning with the potential of new media technology would have no impact on student learning, based on his initial claim that media are “mere vehicles that deliver instruction” and that the new artificial intelligence-based learning platform is simply a different “vehicle.” Clark (1994) also states, “we must always choose the less expensive way” (p. 22); if cheaper media can achieve the same goals, we must choose it. Clark would concur that there is evidence that diverse media qualities achieve the same educational objective. Therefore, he would argue that the instructional approach, not the medium, that determines learning. Thus, his view would be that this new technology would not directly result in improved learning for students.
In contrast, Kozma (1994) argued that the use of various new media technologies, each of which possesses its own unique capabilities, has the potential to enhance the learning experience by complementing the learners’ abilities. Kozma (1994) views education as an “active, constructive, cognitive and social process”. Therefore, Kozma would agree that CanopyLABS’ adaptive learning platform provides for interaction and connection where students can learn from one another, with the potential to enhance learning for certain types of learners. This technology could allow for more customized and personalized instruction based on the needs of individual learners.
Does technology have the magic to transform education systems and learning interactions to benefit learning? Clark has us consider that efficiency and cost-effective instructional delivery methods are not a formula that results in learning (1994). While Kozma highlights the complexity of instructional design that involves user needs, interactions, media capabilities, cognitive processes, and the intentions of the designer (1994). Clark and Kozma’s 1994 debate provide contrasting perspectives that are still relevant in seeking answers.
References
CanopyLAB. (2022, August 6). 5 Ways in which AI is already Shaping the Future of Learning [web log]. Retrieved September 24, 2022, from https://canopylab.com/5-ways-in-which-ai-is-already-shaping-the-future-of-learning/
Clark, R. E. (1994). Media will never influence learning. Educational Technology Research and Development, 42(2), 21-29. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02299088
Kozma, R. B. (1994). Will media influence learning: Reframing the debate. Educational Technology Research and Development, 42(2), 7-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02299087
Wade, L. (n.d.). How social media is reshaping today’s education system. Center for Social Impact Communication. Retrieved September 25, 2022, from https://csic.georgetown.edu/magazine/social-media-reshaping-todays-education-system/