Learning and cognition (technology)

Technology extension

What is the google effect (digital amnesia)?

Tendency to forget info that we can easily look online

• A type of transactive memory system

What is cognitive offloading (w. eg)?

Using external tools (phone, google, notes) to reduce cognitive effort

• e.g. storing phone numbers instead of memorising

What is a transactive memory system?

A memory system where individuals rely on each other or external source for knowledge

• We know where to find where/what to find rather that storing it

What is a transactive memory system?

A framework that encodes, stores, and retrieves information → allows for retaining knowledge over time

Explain the study of sparrow et al in relation to the google effect

Aim: Test if people remember less info when they believe it will be stored (using computer I.e.)

Procedure: Asked to remember facts that either were erased or saved → tested on recall

Conclusion: Participants remembered more if they were told it would be saved & vice versa → shows we rely on external storage (google effect)

What is shallow processing?

Access to digital info promotes surface-level thinking

• Encourages skimming

• Lowers attention span & concentration

How does technology influence cognition?

Changes how we think & behave

• Changes how we retrieve, encode & remember

• Increases reliance on external memory

• Shifts cognitive habits to quick retrieval

Explain the study of Mueller & Oppenheimer in relation to deep/semantic processing

Aim: Compare note taking on laptop & handwriting and how it affects learning & encoding

Procedure: University participants watched lectures and took notes using laptops or handwriting → tested on factual and conceptual questions

Conclusion: Handwriting → better conceptual understanding as it promoted deep/semantic processing

• Typing word for word leads to shallow processing

What are the different levels of processing that are proposed (Craik & Lockhart)?

Theory: Memory retention depends on how deep info is processed when encoding

1. Shallow processing: focus on appearance & sound (e.g. typing word for word)

2. Deep processing: Meaning based processing/semantic encoding (e.g. explaining something in own words)

What is semantic encoding and what does it do?

Encoding info by meaning, relationships & concepts

• Creates more retrieval pathways in LTM → strong conceptual undertanding

What is cognitive load theory ?

States working memory/STM has limited capacity → overloading it can reduce learning

What are the 3 types of cognitive load?

1. Intrinsic load: Difficulty of material

2. Extraneous load: Difficulty processing info (not relevant to task → outside noise)

3. Germane load: Mental effort used to learn, understand and store info