The Third Metaphor of Learning

(a CSCL-2007 preconference event)

Sfard (1999) distinguished two different metaphors for learning. The metaphor of acquisition implies that learning is an individual process, gaining possession over some commodity (knowledge, concepts), by transfer and internalization. The metaphor of participation implies that learning is the process of initiation and enculturation of newcomers in a community of practice. Paavola, Lipponen and Hakkarainen (2004) claim that neither metaphor captures the processes of knowledge creation and advancement, which occur when new ideas are developed during some forms of collaborative activities. To overcome this omission, they proposed a third metaphor: knowledge creation. In this preconference event we address the question what is specific about CSCL within a knowledge creation metaphor:

• Paavola & Hakkarainen compare trialogic knowledge creation with dialogic learning
• Mørch, Moen, Nygård & Ludvigsen discuss a case of knowledge management, using design-based research methodology
• Toiviainen and Engeström discuss the notion of boundary objects in trialogical learning, and the role of tools, rules, and division of labour
• Andriessen, Sins & Damsa discuss a trialogical session during which social scientists create a knowledge object in virtual teams
• Schwarz compares trialogical and dialogical analyses of the same learning protocol
• Sfard & Koschmann (as individuals) discuss the feasibility of the trialogical approach
• Discussion with participation of the audience

 

Those who wish to attend this session are kindly requested to register before April 30th, at http://www.isls.org/cscl2007/index.html