LME 535-Blog 2: Cognitive Complexity

Marc Prensky’s Brain Gain’s concept is about looking at and understanding how technology in today’s society can be beneficial to the young minds of today. His concept is a way of making the “immigrants” of technology, which are those who grew up with and without technology, understand why it is so important to the “natives” today, which are our young generation. Prensky’s Brain Gain connects to Bloom’s Taxonomy, the Create Excellence Framework, and Yong Zhao’s World Class Learners concept in many ways.

Prensky (2004) believes that young people and young minds today are growing up in a different context than people of yesterday. They need to be able to adapt and accelerate with the advanced technologies presented before them. He believes that technology today is just as important as reading was to the older generation long ago. Prensky’s (2004) concept develops a new way of learning in order to help promote effective thinking, effective action, effective relationships, and effective accomplishments. This “Uplift Curriculum” teaches the basic fundamentals to students, but in a technologically advanced way.

In a video created by AJ+ (2015), a global news community for the connected generation, five technologies that will change classroom education are discussed. From 3D printing for creating machine parts and jewelry to holograms that allow teachers to teach students across the country, technology is making a difference in the way students learn and gain new information. In order to successfully create a new product, students have to have the ability to think and plan at a higher level and put that plan into action. This takes collaboration and discussion amongst peers and experts in a field. By learning from others through webcast, skype, or holograms, students can use the new knowledge to help create or improve a product that will be used.

How Technology is Changing the World, an article written by Prerna Raturi (2013), technology in today’s world is reviewed and explained. According to the article, experts believe that change is needed in the way that we think of solving problems today. Changing the thinking process may be the answer.

Both Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy and the Create Excellence Framework connect to Prensky’s (2004) concept through the five levels of Cognitive Complexity. Students not only recall information learned, but will be able to integrate and specialize in a skill or profession to create projects that can make a difference or change the way we live. By teachers really understanding Bloom’s Taxonomy, they are able to teach students at a higher level. The Create Excellence Framework details how to get a student to critically think and apply that information to a real-world problem. When students embed the different levels of cognitive complexity, they are able to compete in the development of new technology and the work force. Zhao’s (2014) opinion in the discussion of World Class Learners also connects to Prensky’s (2004) concept. He feels that students need to learn at a higher level. They need to be able to analyze and create new products to help improve life. He believes creativity is job security today. Zhao (2014) thinks it is extremely important to have entrepreneurs. Without the higher-order thinking skills, many young students will not have the skills needed to become a competitor in the job market. By incorporating the levels of the Create Excellence Framework and Bloom’s Taxonomy, the thinking process can be maximized. Students need to be able to use and experience information first hand in order to be successful and competitive in today’s work force.

REFERENCES

AJ+ (2015, September 16). 5 technologies that will change classroom education. [Video file].

Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loFL5gT_m8I

Maxwell, M., Stobaugh, R., & Tassell, J. H. (2015). Chapter 2: Cognitive complexity. In Real-

world learning for secondary schools: Digital tools and practical strategies for successful

implementation. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree. ISBN: 9781935249443.

Prensky, M. (2004, February 26). Brain gain: technology and the quest for digital wisdom.

[Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wowZRDx344

Raturi, P. (2013, July 14). How technology is changing the world. Retrieved from

http://www.business-standard.com/article/specials/how-technology-is-changing-the-

world- 113071500350_1.html#

Zhao, Y. (2014, March 10). World Class Learners. [Video file]. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk--J3E8yqc