Technology affordances: the real story in research with K12 and undergraduate learners Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Computer technologies for learning environments have been introduced with great expectations for improved learning outcomes. However, the great improvements have not materialised; some of these extant studies are examined. Of all the explanations for these disappointing results, the least examined are the affordances of the computer tools. This paper provides a rationale for studying affordances and presents two studies in K-12 and undergraduate settings showing how powerful affordances are in affecting outcomes. Finally, the paper presents guidelines on how to gradually move students from a game affordance of a computer to a learning mode. 2006 British Educational Communications and Technology Agency.

published proceedings

  • British Journal of Educational Technology

author list (cited authors)

  • J., W. K., Meyer, B., Wagoner, D., & Ferguson, L.

citation count

  • 21

complete list of authors

  • J., Wijekumar Kay||Meyer, Bonnie JF||Wagoner, Diane||Ferguson, Lon

publication date

  • March 2006

publisher