Authentic Learning Tools

How can authentic learning tools improve student engagement and deepen learning? What does the apprenticeship model tell us about learning?

Reality simulations are not necessarily new but are definitely becoming more mainstream and advanced due to increasingly available technologies. At my company, pilots have used flight simulators for decades. And it’s a good thing. The majority of people I have spoken to who have had the chance to try the simulators have crashed their virtual planes. I think that is a huge benefit of these types of tools. Students can test the limits and perform what if scenarios without causing a real catastrophe.

Similarly, I recently read about a medical tool which simulated different forms of surgery. This struck me as a valuable tool for the surgeon who is learning delicate surgical techniques without risking the lives of real patients as they learn. Again, the student can take risks and understand consequences without endangerment.

I think many of these more advanced tools can really be looked at as a form of apprenticeship. Flight simulations are already treated in this way with pilots even logging virtual flight time in the same manner as they log real flight time. I’m sure surgical simulators are being woven into apprenticeship models as well. This form of apprenticeship is bound to increase.

Even at the gamer level, there seems to be increasing educational value. I also recently learned of a Nintendo Wii video game in which the player’s objective is to treat a virtual patient with various illnesses. While this is not a medical school tool, it is a game that incorporates role playing and seems engaging. At the same time it is educational in learning about first aid techniques.

I think all of these forms of authentic learning tools are great for deepening student learning. They contain the collective knowledge and experiences of those who have gone before. Programmers are making these tools more and more sophisticated so that they more closely simulate reality. This can only be seen as positive for the cause of thorough and more rapid training.