SIGCUE OUTLOOK Vol. 26 #1 January 1998 Computer-mediated distributed cognitions: Cultivating collective knowledge and personal competencies Christina Dehler Introduction This paper discusses the use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) to build distributed cognition systems among and between faculty and students in postsecondary educational envkonments. Drawing from three different but related bodies of literature - distributed cognition, computer-mediated communication, and computer supported collaborative learningthis paper discusses the ways in which computer-mediated distributed cognitions influence teaching and learning. It also addresses some of the practical issues involved with a) building computer-mediated distributed cognition between and among faculty and students, b) structuring and monitoring the cognitive activity so as to meet learning and teaching objectives, and c) faculty and student training. that person's environment. In other words, distributed cognition is a system that comprises an individual, his/her colleagues, cultural artifacts and tools (Lave, 1988; Cole, 1991), and it is the relationships between all of these elements that provides the fodder for both individual and collective knowledge building (Salomon, 1993). Computer-mediated distributed cognition in post-secondary learning environments Learning at the university-level entails students acquiring a deep understanding of concepts. Emerging teaching and learning paradigms which make use of CMC to provide students with
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