CONVERGENCE OF DATA SOURCES IN THE ANALYSIS OF COMPLEX LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

Learning in technology mediated learning environments is a complex process that varies across individual and group contexts. Complex learning environments that are medi- ated by technology require distinct concurrent methodologies that reveal when and where learning may occur. This paper describes the analysis of two technology-mediated problem-solving environments, one that uses concurrent methods to identify expertise, and the other that examines the influence of technology in a collaborative learning situ- ation. The first example examines individual problem solving in the context of a stand- alone environment, BioWorld, whereas the second example examines the joint production of medical decisions with traditional and interactive whiteboard technology in a medical classroom. These examples demonstrate how concurrent methods add to our understand- ing of individual learning as well as the co-construction of knowledge in the context of clinical reasoning using technology.