This chapter examines expertise in complex and ill-structured domains from the perspective of cognitive flexibility theory (CFT). The emphasis is on adaptation under conditions of “ordinary novelty.” An approach to situational novelty via meta-features of an adaptive mindset that generalizes across cases in ways that content does not, and that fosters the skill of novel rearrangement of previously encountered case features in ways that are adaptive to new situations, is presented. The chapter describes CFT’s theoretical and empirical approach to combating rigidity and oversimplification, and to accelerating expertise in assembling “schemas of the moment” with learning based on the principled development and application of computer-supported case-based environments. Receiving special emphasis are many new modes of deliberate practice of adaptive flexibility. The chapter concludes with societal implications for today’s rapidly changing and increasingly complex world.
Although students might expect a technology literacy course to provide them with tool-driven educational experiences, first year students in a teachers college at a large public university in the United States discovered, instead, a course that would move them beyond technology use to reflective development and understanding. The course designers used Dewey’s natural impulses for learning to create a course with a range of innovative assignments and pedagogical approaches. The resulting experience immersed future educators in exploration, scaffolded learning, provided multiple opportunities, and allowed for intellectual and personal growth. In this paper, we will describe the conceptual structure of the course, provide examples of assignments and activities, and describe the use of technology both for pedagogy and instructor interaction and design. We will include samples of students’ work and a description of their experiences based on their reflections.
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