The War on Learning

Gaining Ground in the Digital University

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Technology, Social Aspects, Reference & Language, Education & Teaching, Higher Education
Cover of the book The War on Learning by Elizabeth Losh, The MIT Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Elizabeth Losh ISBN: 9780262323260
Publisher: The MIT Press Publication: May 2, 2014
Imprint: The MIT Press Language: English
Author: Elizabeth Losh
ISBN: 9780262323260
Publisher: The MIT Press
Publication: May 2, 2014
Imprint: The MIT Press
Language: English

An examination of technology-based education initiatives—from MOOCs to virtual worlds—that argues against treating education as a product rather than a process.

Behind the lectern stands the professor, deploying course management systems, online quizzes, wireless clickers, PowerPoint slides, podcasts, and plagiarism-detection software. In the seats are the students, armed with smartphones, laptops, tablets, music players, and social networking. Although these two forces seem poised to do battle with each other, they are really both taking part in a war on learning itself. In this book, Elizabeth Losh examines current efforts to “reform” higher education by applying technological solutions to problems in teaching and learning. She finds that many of these initiatives fail because they treat education as a product rather than a process. Highly touted schemes—video games for the classroom, for example, or the distribution of iPads—let students down because they promote consumption rather than intellectual development.

Losh analyzes recent trends in postsecondary education and the rhetoric around them, often drawing on first-person accounts. In an effort to identify educational technologies that might actually work, she looks at strategies including MOOCs (massive open online courses), the gamification of subject matter, remix pedagogy, video lectures (from Randy Pausch to “the Baked Professor”), and educational virtual worlds. Finally, Losh outlines six basic principles of digital learning and describes several successful university-based initiatives. Her book will be essential reading for campus decision makers—and for anyone who cares about education and technology.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

An examination of technology-based education initiatives—from MOOCs to virtual worlds—that argues against treating education as a product rather than a process.

Behind the lectern stands the professor, deploying course management systems, online quizzes, wireless clickers, PowerPoint slides, podcasts, and plagiarism-detection software. In the seats are the students, armed with smartphones, laptops, tablets, music players, and social networking. Although these two forces seem poised to do battle with each other, they are really both taking part in a war on learning itself. In this book, Elizabeth Losh examines current efforts to “reform” higher education by applying technological solutions to problems in teaching and learning. She finds that many of these initiatives fail because they treat education as a product rather than a process. Highly touted schemes—video games for the classroom, for example, or the distribution of iPads—let students down because they promote consumption rather than intellectual development.

Losh analyzes recent trends in postsecondary education and the rhetoric around them, often drawing on first-person accounts. In an effort to identify educational technologies that might actually work, she looks at strategies including MOOCs (massive open online courses), the gamification of subject matter, remix pedagogy, video lectures (from Randy Pausch to “the Baked Professor”), and educational virtual worlds. Finally, Losh outlines six basic principles of digital learning and describes several successful university-based initiatives. Her book will be essential reading for campus decision makers—and for anyone who cares about education and technology.

More books from The MIT Press

Cover of the book Elements of Ethics for Physical Scientists by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book Sonic Warfare by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book The Myth of the Moral Brain by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book Customer-Centric Marketing by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book Heat Advisory by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book The Politics of Invisibility by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book Introduction to Computation and Programming Using Python by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book Faster, Smarter, Greener by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book Late-Talking Children by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book Revolutionizing Innovation by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book Touch by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book Extraordinary Science and Psychiatry by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book System by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book Recycling Reconsidered by Elizabeth Losh
Cover of the book Twelve Tomorrows by Elizabeth Losh
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy