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Understanding by experiencing patterns

Gärdenfors, Peter LU and Lindström, Paulina LU (2008)
Abstract
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... (More)
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. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
categories
Popular Science
host publication
A Smorgasbord of Cognitive Science
editor
Gärdenfors, Peter and Wallin, Annika
publisher
Bokförlaget Nya Doxa
ISBN
978-91-578-0532-4
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
4a5de45d-eebe-43b0-aa02-85a0865f9e0e (old id 1939889)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 10:10:55
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:57:16
@inbook{4a5de45d-eebe-43b0-aa02-85a0865f9e0e,
  abstract     = {{This chapter focuses on the cognitive and emotional mechanisms of understanding. We<br/><br>
propose that understanding consists in seeing or, more generally, experiencing a pattern.<br/><br>
Patterns can be experienced by all sensory modalities and in abstract thinking, but here the<br/><br>
focus is primarily on the visual modality.<br/><br>
<br/><br>
We discuss how understanding by experiencing patterns can be achieved in learning<br/><br>
processes. The goal of education should be that students understand the material they study.<br/><br>
We propose that this is achieved by helping them to discover patterns that they cannot find on<br/><br>
their own. We also highlight the role of emotions in understanding, especially the subjective<br/><br>
experience of an aha-feeling, which occurs when a pattern suddenly falls into place. Finally,<br/><br>
we present some educational techniques such as visualizations, simulations, and intelligent<br/><br>
tutoring systems that can be used for pointing out salient features in a pattern.}},
  author       = {{Gärdenfors, Peter and Lindström, Paulina}},
  booktitle    = {{A Smorgasbord of Cognitive Science}},
  editor       = {{Gärdenfors, Peter and Wallin, Annika}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-578-0532-4}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Bokförlaget Nya Doxa}},
  title        = {{Understanding by experiencing patterns}},
  year         = {{2008}},
}