Response to the readings 1&2:
One of the readings that was particularly interesting to me was the Brown reading that presented a table on different learning activities and goals and the corresponding type of space that is particularly useful to support this kind of learning. I recently took a sustainable development class which took a field trip to a green building at the Jasper ridge preserve. One issue we talked about in depth was designing a rooms based on the activities that will take place in the space. The design of a space has such a large impact on how it can be used and what can be learned in the space but this aspect is often over looked.
I was also particularly interested in the reading on assessment. The discussion of working memory vs long-term memory had some interesting implicaitons in my mind. Because working memory is limited and long-term memory is relatively unlimited it seems that using these concepts in designing a space could have a significant impact on the depth of learning that can occur in that area. For example is a space is designed to help people access concepts and ideas that are stored in their long term memory to support new concepts it can have a significant impact on how much an individual is able to learn. For example if a museum is presenting an exibit that has a number of new innovations in solar technology and renewable energy, but the space is designed such that it reminds people of what they already know about energy and how it works learners will be able to get much more from the exhibit because it is referring to a concept with which they are already familiar. In other words, they are putting the new concepts in a familar context.
Dan Gilbert':
Thanks for the great post. Your last comment about putting new concepts in a familiar context is grounds for some good discussion I think. My immediate reaction is that the safety of a familiar context could offer two opportunities. In the best case, it would allow people to open their minds to new concepts, I'm thinking of the Bransford and Schwartz article about the importance of letting go of preconceived notions to help facilitate transfer. I am also thinking about the sales tactics of companies like Amway and Tupperware where in the comfort of your own home you are open to the idea of purchasing new products. On the other end of the spectrum I could imagine that the safety of a familiar context closes your mind to other opportunities for learning. I am thinking about reactions often heard in art museums where people say "that doesn't belong in here" and close their minds off to exploring other concepts.
Do you, or others, think the opportunities for learning are different if one explores familiar concepts in a novel context? In your renewable energy example, what if you - someone with some background in environmental design - read about the benefits of renewable energy at a gas station. Would that impact your learning?