Understanding by experiencing patterns

• This chapter focuses on the cognitive and emotional mechanisms of understanding. We propose that understanding consists in seeing or, more generally, experiencing a pattern. Patterns can be experienced by all sensory modalities and in abstract thinking, but here the focus is primarily on the visual modality. We discuss how understanding by experiencing patterns can be achieved in learning processes. The goal of education should be that students understand the material they study. We propose that this is achieved by helping them to discover patterns that they cannot find on their own. We also highlight the role of emotions in understanding, especially the subjective experience of an aha-feeling, which occurs when a pattern suddenly falls into place. Finally, we present some educational techniques such as visualizations, simulations, and intelligent tutoring systems that can be used for pointing out salient features in a pattern.

Ämnesord

HUMANIORA  -- Språk och litteratur -- Jämförande språkvetenskap och allmän lingvistik (hsv//swe)

HUMANITIES  -- Languages and Literature -- General Language Studies and Linguistics (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Utbildningsvetenskap -- Lärande (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Educational Sciences -- Learning (hsv//eng)

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