Distributed Cognition & Collaborative Intelligence: These terms refer to a new set of skills that are required of students in a learning environment that utilizes new media. Distributed Cognition is defined as “the ability to interact meaningfully with tools that expand mental capacities.” (Jenkins, p.6). In other words new forms of media allow students to take more of an active role in the process of learning, which allows for new ways of thinking and problem-solving. Collaborative Intelligence allows learners to work together in an environment where they have more control over what they are learning and also allows for an overlap of formal and informal learning. Collaborative intelligence often involves working in teams to complete a project.
Informal Learning challenges the traditional methods of learning which are teacher-centered, also known as formal learning. Informal learning is a less structured form of learning that can occur both inside and outside of the classroom. This type of learning often arises out of activities and interests of an individual or a group that may not be recognized as learning but can nonetheless be a valuable form of education. Formal and informal education are not mutually exclusive. For example, a museum is an example of an institution that can provide both formal and informal education. The type of learning that occurs when a child attends an exhibition with family members may be quite different from a trip to a museum as part of a school field trip that is more structured with more concrete learning objectives and evaluation.
White Space is also referred to as negative space. Usually the paper that is printed on is white so the areas that are not printed are called white space. This is an important part of the design to consider and there are interesting techniques that can trick the human eye, using principles of gestalt. The WWF logo is a classic example of a logo that successfully uses white space to create an interesting design. White space in a document can refer to the gutters, margins and space between columns. White space is also a term used in writing code for web in HTML and CSS.
Focal Point: This is the part of an art piece or design that draws in the viewer. A striking image or extreme contrast can create a focal point. Also an area that is surrounded by a lot of white space can draw the viewer’s eye to a particular spot. A focal point helps create a sense of visual hierarchy. The focal p0int can attract they eye using color, line weight, texture, shape or depth and the eye can move back and forth which creates visual interest.
Bonus: New Media is the term for all forms of electronic communication that have appeared or will appear since the static forms of communication that relied on text and image. This is a relative term that is hard to describe because it is constantly changing. Technology is changing faster than education can keep up with. New media could describe the latest technology or it could be anything that was invented after newspapers as a form of mass media. It will be interesting to see what direction new media will go in, especially as artificial intelligence and virtual reality become more mainstream. Educators can find ways of incorporating new media into curriculum that allows for both formal and informal learning in a participatory learning environment.