Mindtools: Affording Multiple Knowledge Representations for Learning

Numerous reports decry the deficiencies in thinking skills of students at all educational levels. Students had memorized and could apply the equations and problem-solving procedures without understanding the physics concepts they were representing mathematically. An effective method for supporting the representation of learner knowledge through multiple formalisms is to use computers as mindtools to represent their knowledge. Mindtools are computer software applications, like databases, spreadsheets, semantic networking programs, expert systems, systems modeling tools, microworlds, hypermedia authoring tools, and computer conferencing, that enable learners to represent what they have learned and know using different representational formalisms. Semantic organization tools enable learners to analyze and organize what they know. Two of the most commonly used semantic organization tools are databases and semantic networking tools. Database management systems are computerized filing systems designed to accelerate the storage and retrieval of information. Semantic networking tools provide visual screen tools for producing concept maps.