Computers as cognitive media: examining the potential of computers in education

Despite a history of achieving only marginal benefits from using technology in education, many schools and other educational organizations are investi ng heavily in computer technology. This paper examines common criticisms of educational computer use, considers how society and schools have reacted t o previous technological trends, and outlines relationships between diverse approaches to computer use and the ensuing outcomes that can be expected. Two approaches to media use, representational and generative, are described in an attempt to identify instructional approaches that improve educationa l quality. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.