Eva Lindh Waterworth: Perceptually-Seductive Learning: Using information technology to support everyday creativity

This seminar is intended to explore Eva Lindh Waterworth's thesis manuscript. The exploration will be structured as a thesis defence where oppononts have been assigned to provide comments and questions about the thesis work.

The thesis suggests an approach to using recent information technologies, in particular virtual and augmented environments, in educational settings. It is based on the idea that, by presenting information in different perceptually-seductive and emotionally-stimulating ways, we can provide technological tools for the enhancement of both memory skills and creativity of people in general and for persons with special needs in particular.

The approach is in contrast to suggestions that (with new 'experiential' technology such as multimedia and VR): "One can have new experiences in this manner, but not new ideas, new concepts, advances in human understanding: For these, we need the effort of reflection" (Norman, 1993, page 17). While agreeing that reflection (that is, abstract, linguistic processing) is important, the thesis explores ways in which perceptually-seductive technology (PST), incorporating techniques largely discarded since the earliest information technologies became widespread, can provoke both creative ideas and robust learning (see Waterworth and Waterworth, 2000). PST is a general class of sensory augmentation where information is presented in multiple modalities, in concrete forms and in 3D spaces. We believe that approaching computerised information through PST is the most promising route to open up the information society to all, because it capitalises on corporeal being in general, rather than specific learned skills.

The research combines philosophical and psychological orientations to the problem area with prototype development and evaluations in real life learning situations, including for those with special needs.

Välkommna!
John Cumberbatch