Cognitive Tools for Learning

Hypermedia technology needs a creative approach from the

outset in the design of software to facilitate human

thinking and learning. This book opens a discussion of the

potential of hypermedia and related approaches to provide

open exploratory learning environments. The papers in the

book are based on contributions to a NATO Advanced Research

Workshop held in July1990 and are grouped into six

sections:

- Semantic networking as cognitive tools,

- Expert systems as cognitive tools,

- Hypertext as cognitive tools,

- Collaborative communication tools,

- Microworlds: context-dependent cognitive tools,

- Implementing cognitive tools.

The book will be valuable for those who design, implement

and evaluate learning programs and who seek to escape from

rigid tactics like programmed instruction and behavioristic

approaches. The book presents principles for exploratory

systems that go beyond existing metaphors of instruction and

provokes the reader to think in a new way about the

cognitive level of human-computer interaction.