"Anthropology"
classification and analysis of humans and their society, descriptively, culturally, historically, and physically. Its unique contribution to studying the bonds of human social relations has been the distinctive concept of culture . It has also differed from other sciences concerned with human social behavior (especially sociology) in its emphasis on data from nonliterate peoples and archaeological exploration. Emerging as an independent science in the mid-19th cent., anthropology was associated from the beginning with various other emergent sciences, notably biology, geology, linguistics, psychology, and archaeology; Source: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-anthrpgy.html, retrieved February 7, 2009 contributed by Dot
"Art"
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/art--"a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge" or "an occupation requiring knowledge or skill"--Linda
"Constructivism"
- "Constructivism is a philosophical position that views knowledge as the outcome of experience mediated by one's own prior knowledge and the experience of others." Source: Martin Ryder's University of Colorado at Denver's ITC website, retrieved February 4, 2009. (contributed by Jerry)
- Constructivist Theory"learning is an active process in which learners construct new ideas or concepts based upon their current/past knowledge. The learner selects and transforms information, constructs hypotheses, and makes decisions, relying on a cognitive structure to do so." (Linda)
- Constructivist Epistemology is an epistemological perspective in philosophy about the nature of scientific knowledge held by many philosophers of science. Constructivists maintain that scientific knowledge is constructed by scientists and not discovered from the world. Constructivism believes that there is no single valid methodology and there are other methodologies for social science: qualitative research. It thus is opposed to positivism, which holds that scientific knowledge comes from positive affirmation of theories through strict scientific methods: quantitative research. (Retreived February 10, 2009. Contributed by Federico)
"Craft"
"to make by hand"; "skill [talent, capability] in doing or making something" or an occupation or trade requiring manual dexterity" http://www.answers.com/topic/craft --Linda
"Education" (Jamae)
- It is the activity of educating or instructing. It can be activities that impart knowledge or skill. It is knowledge acquired by learning and instruction. It is a gradual process of acquiring knowledge. Source: WordNet Search 3.0, retrieved February 5, 2009
- Education is a broad concept, referring to all the experiences in which students can learn something:
- Instruction refers to the intentional facilitating of learning toward identified goals, delivered either by an instructor or other forms.
- Teaching refers to the actions of a real live instructor designed to impart learning to the student.
- Training refers to learning with a view toward preparing learners with specific knowledge, skills, or abilities that can be applied immediately upon completion. (Retreived Feb.10. Contributed by Federico)
"Epistemology"
- Epistemology, or theory of knowledge, is the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature and scope (limitations) of knowledge.
It addresses the questions:
▪ "What is knowledge?"
▪ "How is knowledge acquired?"
▪ "What do people know?"
▪ "How do we know what we know?"
(from Greek επιστήμη - episteme, "knowledge" + λόγος, "logos ")Patty
Methods and processes of a discipline. Patty
"Knowledge" (Justin)
- Web 2.0 definition of “knowledge” is collective agreement about a description that may combine facts with other dimensions of human experience, such as opinions, values, and spiritual beliefs.
- the derivations are endless, try descriptive, declarative or propositional knowledge. How we express what we know or think we know. Esoteric knowledge is available only to a narrow circle of enlightened individuals. Knowledge economy is the production and management of knowledge. Knowledge representation is an area of artificial intelligence which studies how we formally think. Knowledge needs to be factual or it is just a 'belief'. Patty
"Media" (Jeremy)
- Materials that hold data or information
- Materials that allow data to pass through them
- Any form of information
- Printed materials
- Media is the plural of "medium."
- Examples: paper, transparencies, flash drives, hard drives, CDs, DVDs, videotapes, magazines, newspapers, books, television, radio, photographs, Internet, and many more.
References:(Retrieved Feb. 7, 2009)
PC Mag
"Metacognition " (Suha)
"Model"
- Martin Ryer on Model Defined: "Models, like myths and metaphors, help us to make sense of our world. Whether derived from whim or from serious research, a model offers its user a means of comprehending an otherwise incomprehensible problem. An instructional design model gives structure and meaning to an I.D. problem, enabling the would-be designer to negotiate her design task with a semblance of conscious understanding. Models help us to visualize the problem, to break it down into discrete, manageable units. " (Retrieved February 4, 2009)(contributed by Jerry)
- This page offers a deffinition of Hypothesis, Model, Theory, and Law related to sciences in general and Physics in particular. (Contributed by Federico)
"Objectivism"
The philosophy of Ayn Rand http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivism_ that holds that "knowledge and values are objective: neither intrinsic nor subjective" that we are "in contact with this reality through sensory perception". She "characterized Objectivism as 'a philosophy for living on earth,' grounded in reality, and aimed at defining man's nature and the nature of the world in which he lives." Objective statements are based in observable (sensory) facts of the world, in contrast to subjective (not fact-based; opinions) statements.--Linda
"Philosophy" (Jeremy)
- The study of the truths and principles of knowledge and conduct.
- The study of basic principles and concepts of a specific branch of knowledge.
- The school of thought for a particular doctrine.
- The guiding principles, aims, and beliefs of a particular doctrine
References: (Retrieved Feb. 7, 2009)
Dictionary.com
Encarta
"Positivism"
- It is a philosophy developed by Auguste Comte in the early 19th century. According to the positivist philosophy, scientific knowledge, based on logical explanation of every concept and affirmation of theories through strict scientific method, gave rise to authentic knowledge. Source: Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy - Auguste Comte, retrieved February 5, 2009
- Knowledge exists independent of the learner - Chapter 6 Epistemology and the
Design of Learning Environments - Hannafin and Hill - Justin
"Psychology"
Psychology The scientific study of the behavior of individuals and their mental processes. http://www.psychologymatters.org/glossary.html#p Note the term individuals - David (It is the official definition of the American Psychological Association (APA). Federico)
" Science"
Wikipedia defines Science as "the effort to discover and increase human understanding of how physical reality works".
MSN Encarta defines Science as the "systematic study of anything that can be examined, tested, and verified". Scientists must follow the scientific method in order to verify their hypotheses.(Suha)
- Science is the systematic observation of natural events and conditions in order to discover facts
about them and to formulate laws and principles based on these facts, the organized
body of knowledge that is derived from such observations and that can be verified or
tested by further investigation.From the Academic Press Dictionary of Science & Technology- Justin
"Social Science"
- Any discipline or branch of science that deals with the sociocultural aspects of human behaviour. The social sciences generally include cultural anthropology, economics, political science, sociology, criminology, and social psychology. Comparative law and comparative religion (the comparative study of the legal systems and religions of different nations and cultures) are also sometimes regarded as social sciences. Source: http://www.answers.com/topic/social-sciences, retrieved February 6, 2009; contributed by Dot
“Systems” approach.
For our purposes, the word “system” has at least four different meanings:
- Standardized methodology: like having a “system” to bet on the ponies, a system implies that you’ve got a structured method.
- Multiple components: a “system” implies that you have more than one component.
- Interactive components: a “system” implies that “the whole is more than the sum of its parts”; that is, the relationship among system components is not merely additive but interactive.
- Incremental improvement: a “system” view holds that improving any single component will fractionally improve the entire “system”, and numerous small improvements to individual components can produce a large improvement in the overall system.
In summary: a systems view is a big view: Source: http://www.cogsim.com/idea/idea/isd.htm#systems, retrieved February 7, 2009; contributed by Dot
"Technology"
- It can be defined as the product of engineering and science that can be used to benefit humanity.
- Technology can be viewed as an activity that forms or changes culture. (From Wikipedia) -Logan
- From Merrium-Webster http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/technology technology is "the practical application of knowledge especially in a particular area" or "a manner of accomplishing a task especially using technical processes, methods, or knowledge"-Linda
- can refer to material objects of use to humanity, such as machines, hardware or utensils,
but can also encompass broader themes, including systems, methods of organization, and
techniques. The term can either be applied generally or to specific areas: examples
include "construction technology", "medical technology", or "state-of-the-art
technology". -From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia -Justin
"Theory"
A theory is more like a scientific law than a hypothesis. A theory is an explanation of a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses and verified multiple times by detached groups of researchers. One scientist cannot create a theory; he can only create a hypothesis.
Development of a Simple Theory by the Scientific Method:
- Observation: Every swan I've ever seen is white.
- Hypothesis: All swans must be white.
- Test: A random sampling of swans from each continent where swans are indigenous produces only white swans.
- Publication: "My global research has indicated that swans are always white, wherever they are observed."
- Verification: Every swan any other scientist has ever observed in any country has always been white.
- Theory: All swans are white.
Prediction: The next swan I see will be white.
Note, however, that although the prediction is useful, the theory does not absolutely prove that the next swan I see will be white. Thus it is said to be falsifiable. If anyone ever saw a black swan, the theory would have to be tweaked or thrown out. (And yes, there are really black swans. This example was just to illustrate the point.)
Real scientific theories must be falsifiable. So-called "theories" based on religion, such as creationism or intelligent design are, therefore, not scientific theories. They are not falsifiable and they do not follow the scientific method.
Source: http://wilstar.com/theories.htm , retrieved February 6, 2009; contributed by Dot
