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Researcher pioneers development of unique learning kit
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Contact:
Phil Winne, 604.291.4858, philip_winne@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
Phil Winne, 604.291.4858, philip_winne@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
January 7, 2004
Simon Fraser University education professor Phil Winne sits at his computer answering questions displayed by software that he has installed. Like a cerebral coach on the sidelines of his thought processes, gSTUDY, a program co-designed by Winne, is helping him grasp material that he is studying. The Canada Research Chair is demonstrating the 10 years of work he and his research team have put into creating revolutionary software for learning.
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s (SSHRC) Initiative on the New Economy program has awarded Winnie $3 million over four years to further his team’s work on the Learning Kit. The team is creating software and theory to help learners develop skills for learning as they study everyday. gSTUDY can be applied to learning any subject in any medium.
Winne’s research shows learners are falling behind in acquiring new knowledge and skills because they "mismanage their learning skills," as he puts it. "They usually spend too much time memorizing and they overestimate how well they can apply what they know. As a result, they struggle to solve problems and transfer their knowledge." gSTUDY allows users to evaluate their studying habits and helps them improve their learning skills.
Winne’s SSHRC funding will advance his team’s design of more software and theory to help information providers make their subject matter "learning skill-friendly." The software will reference findings about learning based on educational research. Winne says there is an urgent need for cognitive tools to help people cope with the learning pressure that rapidly changing technology is putting on them.
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(electronic photo available)
Website::
SFU Education/Winne
www.educ.sfu.ca/fri/winne/
Social Science & Humanities Research Council
www.sshrc.ca/web/whatsnew/press_releases/2003/ine_cura_sfu_e.asp
SFU education
www.educ.sfu.ca/crc/posting1.pdf
The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s (SSHRC) Initiative on the New Economy program has awarded Winnie $3 million over four years to further his team’s work on the Learning Kit. The team is creating software and theory to help learners develop skills for learning as they study everyday. gSTUDY can be applied to learning any subject in any medium.
Winne’s research shows learners are falling behind in acquiring new knowledge and skills because they "mismanage their learning skills," as he puts it. "They usually spend too much time memorizing and they overestimate how well they can apply what they know. As a result, they struggle to solve problems and transfer their knowledge." gSTUDY allows users to evaluate their studying habits and helps them improve their learning skills.
Winne’s SSHRC funding will advance his team’s design of more software and theory to help information providers make their subject matter "learning skill-friendly." The software will reference findings about learning based on educational research. Winne says there is an urgent need for cognitive tools to help people cope with the learning pressure that rapidly changing technology is putting on them.
—30—
(electronic photo available)
Website::
SFU Education/Winne
www.educ.sfu.ca/fri/winne/
Social Science & Humanities Research Council
www.sshrc.ca/web/whatsnew/press_releases/2003/ine_cura_sfu_e.asp
SFU education
www.educ.sfu.ca/crc/posting1.pdf